a concreted vegetable juice of a species of convolvulus, partly of the resin, and partly of the gum-kind.

The Aleppo scammony is of a spongy texture, light and friable: it is of a faint disagreeable smell, and its taste is bitterish, very nauseous, and acrimonious. The Symrna scammony is considerably hard and heavy, of a black colour, of a much stronger smell and taste than the former, otherwise it much resembles it.

Scammony is in great esteem and frequent use. It is an ingredient in many compositions of the shops; and these are prescribed, with other cathartics, for purging off serious humours. It is in general, however, a better purge for robust people than for those of more delicate constitutions; though, with the correctives with which it is joined, it is given with safety and success to children.