Definition. - A gum resin obtained by incising the living root of Convolvulus Scammonia L. Scammony is an herbaceous, twining perennial, growing in Syria, Asia Minor, and Greece.

Description and Properties. - Occurring in irregular angular pieces or circular cakes, greenish gray or blackish, internally porous, and breaking with an angular fracture, of a resinous luster; odor peculiar, somewhat cheese-like; taste slightly acrid; powder gray or greenish gray.

It contains a glycoside, jalapin, which is the active principle, besides gum, starch, etc.

Dose. - 1-15 grains (0.06-1.0 Gm.) [4 grains (0.25 Gm.), U. S. P.].

Official Preparation

Resina Scammonii - Resinae Scammonii - Resin of Scammony. - Description and Properties. - Yellowish-brown or brownish-yellow masses or fragments, breaking with a glossy, resinous fracture, translucent at the edges, or a yellowish-white or grayish-white powder, having a faint, peculiar odor, and a slight, peculiar taste. Soluble in alcohol in all proportions.

Dose. - 1-8 grains (0.06-0.5 Gm.) [3 grains (0.20 Gm.), U. S. P.].

Physiological Action and Therapeutics. - The action of scammony is identical with that of jalap, save that it stimulates the muscular coat of the intestines more, producing more irritation and griping than jalap, though not increasing secretion so much as the latter drug.

The therapeutics are the same as for jalap.

The drug may be given in powder, emulsion, or in milk, but is less inactive in pilular form.