^8 Dr Hancock o^i Resinous and Balsamic 



The tree producing it is the Idea aracouchine of Aublet, A. 

 heterophyllcB^ as improperly named by Willdenow, which would 

 convey an idea that the leaves were of different forms. The 

 folioles, however, are alike constantly pinnate, with an odd one, 

 varying only in this, that there are only one or two pair of wings, 

 and most pinnate plants vary much more in number. — It 

 ought to be named A. odoratissima. Aublet calls it a middle- 

 sized tree, and assigns it twelve or fifteen feet in height. 



This is perhaps the most odoriferous balsam known, not 

 even excepting the true balsam of Gilead, Amyris Gileadensis 

 or opohalsamum. — It has the consistency and appearance of 

 honey when recently drawn from the tree. 



I have a sample of the gum which I brought from the 

 Macosis country about fifteen years ago, and it still retains 

 much of its native odour. 



It is adapted to the same useful purposes as the hyowa. 



Its estimable qualities recommend it both as an internal and 

 external remedy. It is indeed an excellent vulnerary ; and, 

 inwardly, an admirable detergent and corroborant, in gleets, 

 leucorrhea, seminal weakness, mucous discharges from the blad- 

 der, &c. It also promotes digestion, and stregthens the sto- 

 mach and nervous system. 



It may be taken in doses of from ten to forty drops if fluid, 

 or as many grains if inspissated, beginning in the smaller dose 

 and increasing in gradation. It imparts a scent to the urine 

 similar to that which ensues from taking the laurel oil ; and 

 their action on the system are in most cases probably nearly 

 identical, especially if the Arakusiri be recently drawn and 

 kept in a fluid state, secure from the air, as otherwise the 

 more volatile and useful part exhales, leaving a gum resin to 

 predominate, which, in contact with nervous expansions on 

 delicate membranes, as those of the eyes and urethra, would, 

 like most other balsams, prove too irritating. 



Its antiseptic nature, plasticity, and grateful flavour, ren- 

 der it a useful masticatory when inspissated, preservative of 

 the teeth and gums, sweetening or correcting fetid breath, and 

 at the same time strengthening the stomach. It does not, like 

 mastic, turn hard and brittle in the mouth, and, although 



