A gum-resin obtained from the root of Ferula Narthex (Narthex Asafoetida) and F. Scorodosma and probably other species. Afghanistan and the Punjaub.

Characters. - In irregular masses, composed of whitish tears, which are embedded in a yellowish-grey or brownish-grey sticky mass. The tears, when hard, break with a conchoidal fracture, showing a milk-white colour which changes gradually, on exposure, to pink, and finally to brown. Taste bitter, acrid; odour foetid, alliaceous. The fresh fracture touched with nitric acid becomes green temporarily.

Composition. - Volatile oil, resin, and gum. The oil contains a very large proportion of sulphur.

Test. - It dissolves almost entirely in rectified spirit, B.P.; 60 per cent. soluble in alcohol, U.S.P.

Dose. - Of the gum-resin, 5-30 gr. or more.

Preparations

B.P.

Dose.

Enema Asafoetidae ..................................................

.vide infra.

Pilula Aloes et Asafoetidae (vide p. 522)....

4-10 gr.

Pilula Asafoetidae Composita (vide p. 522)..

.5-15 gr.

Spiritus Ammoniae Foetidus ......................................

1/2-1. dr.

Tinctura Asafoetidae ............................................

.1/2-1 fl. dr. or more.

U.S.P.

Dose.

Emplastrum Asafoetidae .......................................................

for external use.

Mistura Asafoetidae .........................................................

4-8 fl. dr.

" Magnesiae et Asafoetidae .................................

4 fl. dr.

Pilulae Asafoetidae (3, soap 1, vide p. 523) .........................

1 3 pills.

" Aloes et Asafoetidae (vide p. 523) ...........................

2-5 pills.

" Galbani Compositae (vide p. 523) ...........................

2-4 pills.

Tinctura Asafoetidae ..........................................................

30 min. to 1 fl. dr.