CHAP. 14. (6.)—HAMMONIACUM: TWENTY-FOUR REMEDIES.
Of a similar nature to galbanum is hammoniacum, a tear-like gum, the qualities of which are tested in manner already [Note]
stated. It is of an emollient, warming, resolvent, and dispellent nature. Employed as an ingredient in eye-salves, it
improves the sight. It disperses prurigo, effaces the marks of
sores, removes spots in the eyes, and allays tooth-ache, more
particularly when burnt. It is very useful too, taken in
drink, for hardness of breathing, pleurisy, affections of the
lungs, diseases of the bladder, bloody urine, maladies of the
spleen, and sciatica: employed in a similar manner, it acts as
a purgative upon the bowels. Boiled with an equal proportion
of pitch or wax, and with oil of roses, it is good for diseases of
the joints, and for gout. Employed with honey it ripens hard
tumours, extracts corns, and has an emollient effect upon indurations. In combination with vinegar and Cyprian wax,
or oil of roses, it is extremely efficacious as a liniment for
affections of the spleen. In cases of extreme lassitude, it is
an excellent plan to use it as a friction, with vinegar and oil,
and a little nitre.
