158 
CONVOLVULUS SCAMMONIA. 
are funnel-shaped, yellowish, plicated, and, according to Doctor 
Russell, placed in pairs upon the peduncles VHif^'' calyx is double, 
consisting of four emarginated leaflets in each' row; the bracteas 
are awl-shaped, spreading ren'iote from the flower ; the capsule is 
three, and sometimes four-celled, containing seeds of a pyramidical 
shape. 
The scammony of the pharmacopoeias is a gummy resin, being the 
concrete juice of the roots. In the first vol. of the Medical Obser- 
vations and Inquiries, we learn the following method of procuring 
the officinal scammony, as communicated by Dr. Russell, " Having 
cleared away tlie earth from about the root, the top is cut oflT in 
an oblique direction, about two inches below where the stalks spring 
from it. Under the most depending part of the slope they fix a 
shell, or some other convenient receptacle, into which the milky 
juice gradually flows. It is left there about twelve hours, which 
time is surticient for drawing off the whole juice ; this, however, 
is in small quantity, each root aff"ording but a very few drachms. This 
juice from the several roots is put together into some proper vessel, 
where in a little time it grows hard." 
Scammony is brought to us from Aleppo and Smyrna ; that which 
comes from the latter place, is less valued than the former j it is 
said to be more ponderous, and of a deeper colour 3 the colour 
however affords us no test of the goodness of the drug, which 
depends entirely on the purity of the concrete.* Its principal con- 
stituent is resin, and proof spirit is the best menstruum for it. 
Sensible Properties, &c. Genuine scammony, at least the 
best scammony of the shops, which comes to us from Aleppo, is 
obtained in light, spongy masses, having a heavy disagreeable 
smell, very much resembling decayed cheese; of a shining ash- 
colour; texture friable, and easily reduced to powder; when pow- 
dered of a light grey or whitish colour; taste bitterish, somewhat 
acrid, and extremely nauseous to most palates. The Smyrna scam- 
mony is in more compact, ponderous pieces, having less smell, not 
so friable, and more difticult to pulverize ; it contains sand and 
other impurities. Scammony may be best chosen by the fracture 
and the smell. 
According to Vogel and <.ther chemists, 100 parts of Aleppo 
* The Jews who traffic in Boammony, make a practice of buying it while yet soft, and 
adulteraUng it by mixing with it ashes, sand, and whatever other ingredient best an- 
swers their purpose. 
