AMMONIAC

AMMONIAC.—Gum Ammoniac; or, as it is sometimes, tho improperly, called, Armmoniac, is a kind of Gum, brought from the East Indies; supposed to ooze from an umbelliferous Plant. See GUM. It ought to be in dry Drops, white within, yellowish without, easily fusible, resinous, somewhat bitter, and of a very sharp Taste and Smell, somewhat like Garlic. Dioscorides says, it is the Juice of a kind of Ferula growing in Barbary; and that the Plant that produces it, is called Agasyllis. The good Ammoniac is of a high Colour, and not mixed with any Scrapings of Wood, Stone, or Sand; it is called Fracture—The other, which is full of Stones or Sand, is called Mixture. Pliny calls the Tree whence it flows, Metopion; and says, the Gum takes its Name from the Temple of Jupiter Ammon, nigh which the Tree grows. Some say, this Gum served the Ancients for Incense in their Sacrifices. See INCENSE. It enters several medicinal Compositions, as an Attenuant, and Detergent, against Disorders arising from Viscidities, and Grumes.—Outwardly applied, it is resolutive and suppurative and, as some say, will of itself draw out Splinters, &c. Some dissolve the Gum in Vinegar, and other Liquors, and call it Lac Ammoniacum; much used in Asthmas, and Obstructions of the Lungs—But the more usual form of prescribing it is in Pills. Ammoniac.—Sal Ammoniac, is also a kind of Salt; more usually wrote Armoniac. See ARMONIAC.

AMMONIAC