ASSAFŒTIDA

[L. and Eng.] Syn. A afetida , Devil’s dung , Eng.; A afœtid a gummi , L.; Stink as and , Stink ender asand , Teufels-dreck , Ger. A gum resin exuded from the excised root of narthex a afœtid a (B. P.); from ferula a afœfid a , and probably from ferula Persica . It yields its virtues to alcohol, and forms a clear tincture, which becomes milky on the addition of water. It is imported into Europe from Persia, viâ Bombay, in cases, mats, and casks. Comp. A afœtid a contains from 4 to 5% of a peculiar volatile oil, and from 50 to 60% of resin of a whitish colour, turning rose-red and reddish-brown by exposure to the air, and giving a greenish solution with concentrated sulphuric acid. Brande resolved this resin into two others—one soluble in ether; the other insoluble in that menstruum. Pur. The a afœtid a of the shops is generally in ma es of a whitish, reddish, or violet hue, formed principally of adhering tears or grains, po e es a peculiar fœtid, alliaceous odour, and forms an emulsion with water in all proportions. Hot sulphuric acid blackens it and forms a dark blood-red liquid, sulphurous fumes being evolved. This solution diluted with water, and then saturated with pota a, has a blue colour, which is most visible by reflected light. Digested first in alcohol, and afterwards in weak spirit-and-water, the residuum should not exceed 16%. Sp. gr. 1·325 to 1·330. It is frequently adulterated with inferior gums, and with chalk, clay, sand, . The purest and best is that which is clear, of a more or le pale-red colour, full of white tears, and very fœtid. Prop., Uses, . A afœtid a is stimulant, antispasmodic, emmenagogue, expectorant, aphrodisiac, and anthelmintic, and is the most powerful of all the fœtid gum-resins. It is administered with advantage in several uterine diseases, hysteria, chorea, flatulent colic, hooping-cough, infantile convulsions, spasmodic asthma, and some other affections of a spasmodic and convulsive character.— Dose , 5 or 6 to 30 gr.; in pills, or preferably made into an emulsion; as an enema, 2 dr., with warm water, q. s.— Dose for Animals. Similar to A afœtid a. Some oriental nations esteem it highly as a condiment. The Brahmins use it against flatulence, and to correct the coldne of their vegetable food. In Persia the leaves of the plant are eaten as salad; and the root, after being roasted. In cookery it is now frequently employed as a substitute for garlic. “I am a ured by an experienced gastronome that the finest relish which a beef-steak can po e may be communicated by” (slightly) “rubbing the gridiron on which the steak is to be cooked with a afœtid a.” [94] [94] Pereira, ‘Mat. Med. & Therap.,’ 4th ed., iii, 177.