Origin. - A gum-resin obtained from Commiphora Myrrha (Nees) Engler, a shrub or small tree "forming the chief underwood of the Arabian and African forests along the shores of the Red Sea."

Description and Properties. - Roundish, irregular tears or masses, dusty brownish-yellow or reddish-brown; fracture waxy, somewhat splintery, translucent on the edges, sometimes marked with whitish veins; odor balsamic; taste aromatic, bitter, and acrid. It is a dried-up emulsion-like juice. It contains 60 per cent. of gum, 35 per cent. of resin, and 3 to 4 per cent. of a volatile oil of unknown composition, thought by Fluckiger to contain carvone. It is now thought that there is no carvone in this oil.

Dose. - 5-30 grains (0.3-2.0 Gm.), in pills or emulsion [7 1/2 grains (0.5 Gm.), U. S. P.].

Official Preparations

Mistura Ferri Composita - Misturae Ferri Compositae - Compound Iron Mixture. - Dose, 1/2-2. fluidounces (15-16 Cc.) [4 drams (16 Cc), U. S. P.].

Pilulae Aloes et Myrrhae - Pilulas (ace.) Aloes et Myrrhae - Pills of Aloes and Myrrh. - Dose, 2-5 pills [2 pills, U. S. P.].

Tinctura Aloes et Myrrhae - Tincturae Aloes et Myrrhae - Tincture of Aloes and Myrrh (10 per cent.). - Dose,1/2-2. fluidrams (2-8 Cc.) [30 minims (2 Cc), U. S. P.].

Tinctura Myrrhae - Tincturae - Myrrhae Tincture of Myrrh (20 per cent.). - Dose, 15-60 minims (1-4 Cc.) [15 minims (1 Cc), U. S. P.].

Physiological Action. - Myrrh is astringent, disinfectant, slightly antiseptic, and stimulant. Its action resembles that of the aro-matics, stimulating the appetite and acting as a carminative, excessive doses causing nausea and vomiting.

The drug is eliminated by the mucous membranes generally, augmenting and disinfecting their secretions. It possesses emmena-gogue properties.

Therapeutics. - As a stimulant and astringent myrrh is serviceable as a mouth-wash in ptyalism and spongy gums and in ozena. It is useful as a gargle in pharyngitis, relaxed throat, etc., and as an injection in leukorrhea, the latter disease, as well as cystitis, being favorably influenced by the internal administration of the drug. It has been used internally, with considerable success, as a stimulant expectorant in bronchorrhea and chronic bronchitis, and as a stomachic in atonic dyspepsia.

Administration. - Myrrh may be given internally in the form of an emulsion or pills. The tincture, either in full strength or diluted, is chiefly employed externally.