306 ^ Treatise on 
Sun. Thus the Bufinefs of colle&ing Aflfa Foetida is 
generally concluded : Though if there be any Roots 
of a larger Size than ordinary (viz.) fuch as are 
twenty Tears old or upwards, they are not left till 
they are nearly exhaufted of their Juice. 
In a chymical Analyfis two Pounds of choice 
Aflfa Foetida yielded five Ounces, and three Drachms, 
of milky Phlegm, partaking of the Smell of Gar- • 
lick, and acid *, one Ounce and feven Drachms of 
reddifh Phlegm, both acid and urinous ; two 
Ounces, two Drachms, and thirty fix Grains of 
foetid Oil, which was yellowifh, fluid and tranfpa- 
rent and eleven Ounces, five Drachms, and twenty 
four Grains of red Oil, of a thicker Confiftence. 
The biack Mafs remaining in the Retort weighed 
nine Ounces and two Drachms. This being cal- 
cined in a Crucible for thirty Hours, left two 
Ounces, four Drachms, and thirty fix Grains of 
gray Allies *, from which were extradled twelve 
Grains of fixt neutral Salt. The Lofs of Parts in 
Diftillation was two Ounces, four Drachms, and 
twelve Grains •, . in Calcination fix Ounces, five 
Drachms, and thirty fix Grains. 
Hence it appears that Alfa Foetida is compofed of 
a copious fetid Sulphur, both thick and thin, a 
large Portion of acid Salt, a fmall Quantity of vo- 
latile urinous Salt, and a little Earth. From thefe 
Principles arifes a Salino-fulphureous Compound, 
whereof a confiaerable Portion diflolves in Spirit of 
Wine, and the greatefl: Part in hot Water. 
The ancient Phyficians have afcribed many excel- 
lent Virtues to Lafer . They fay that being taken 
internally it cures the Palfy and other Diforders of 
the Nerves, provokes the Menfes and Urine, greatly 
helps the Conco&ion of Food, exhilarates the Mind 
in Sorrow, deftroys the Poifons of Darts and Ser- 
pents, fattens, the Body, cures the Plague and ma- 
lignant 
