Gum Ammoniacum. The Gum Resin of Dorema Ammoniacum (Don); of Heracleum Gummiferum (Willd.); of Ferula Tingitana (Lindley). Nat. Ord. Um-belliferAe. Linn. Syst. Pentandria Digynia. Source, Bombay, having been previously imported there from Persia, and the Punjab.

Med. Prop. and Action. Stimulant, expectorant. In asthenic pulmonary diseases, it proves useful, by promoting expectoration, when this is deficient, and by assisting expulsion when secretion accumulates in the air-passages, and the patient has not strength to expectorate. It is best given in the form of mixture in doses of fl. drs. iv. - fi. oz i. Care should be taken that the gum is thoroughly triturated. Externally it is applied in the form of plaster, to indolent swellings.

* Ann. de Therap. 1857, p. 46. Lancet, Jan. 18, 1862.

Offlc. Prep. 1. Emplastrum Ammoniaci cum Hydrargyro. (Contains Ammoniac oz. xij.; Mercury oz. iij.; Olive Oil fl. drm. j.; Sulphur, grs. viij.)

2. Emplastrum Galbani

(See Galbanum.)

3. Mistura Ammoniaci

(Ammoniac oz. 1/4; Distilled Water fl. oz. viij. Triturate and strain.) Dose, fl. oz. ss. - fl oz. j.

4. Pilula Scillae Composita

(See Scilla.)

Dose of Ammoniacum, gr. v. - xx. in pill or emulsion.

It is contra-indicated in all acute inflammatory, or irritated states of the lungs and mucous surfaces generally.

219. Therapeutic Uses

In Spasmodic Asthma, Ammoniacum. often proves highly serviceable, relieving the symptoms in a remarkable manner. It is best given combined with Tinctura ScillAe, with a small portion of Hyoscyamus or Conium. Plasters of Ammoniacum applied to the chest afford relief.

220. In Hysterical Asthma It Also Proves Most Useful

It should be combined with equal parts of Assaftida.

221. In the Chronic Catarrh of Old Age, the following formula is a popular one in the United States. It is said to be very efficacious. Gum Ammon. 3ij., Acid Nit. Dil. f3ij., Mist. Acacias fviij. Dose, fj. - fiss., in any bland fluid, every two or three hours. It is chiefly useful when much expectoration has accumulated in the air-passages.

222. In Passive Dropsy it has been advised by Fordyce,* but is a remedy of inferior value. He employed it in combination with Antimony and Nitre.