AMMONIACUM, 
in alcohol, forming a transparent liquor, which on the addition of 
water becomes milkyT Alcohol distilled from it, arose unchanged, 
but water acquires a sweetish taste, and the smell of the ammoniac* 
According to Braconnot, it is composed of 70.0 parts of resin, 18.4 
gum, 4.4 glutinous matter, and 6.0 'water, in 100 parts, 1.2 parts 
being lost in the process.* 
Medical Properties and Uses. Ammoniacum is stimulant, 
and somewhat deobstruent, expectorant, and antispasmodic ; in large 
doses it is purgative, excites perspiration, and increases the flow of 
urine; hence it is prescribed with advantage in a variety of diseases, 
viz. to promote expectoration in some pulmonary complaints, in 
dropsy to promote the flow of urine, as a deobstruent in visceral 
obstruction, hysteria, and chlorosis, and in obstinate colic, proceed- 
ing from viscid matter lodged in the intestines, ammoniacum has 
produced good effects, after aperients and carminatives have failed. 
As a topical remedy, it is applied in the form of plalstcr as a dis- 
cutient to scirrhous tumours, white swellings, &c. Ammoniacum 
may be taken in doses of from ten to thirty grains, either in sub- 
stance or in solution. It is often given in combination with squills, 
ipecacuanha, antimony, myrrh, iron, or bitterf, according to the 
eff'ects we wish to promote. 
Off". The Gum Resin. 
Off^. Pp. Emplastrum Ammoniaci, L. 
— Ammoniaci cum Hydrargyro, L. 
Mistura Ammoniaci, L. D. 
i* Aunties de Chimi IxTiii, GO* 
