GOLD THREAD. 63 
scarcely modified by any other taste. In distilla- 
tion it communicates no decided sensible quality 
to water. The constituent with which it most 
abounds is a bitter extractive matter, soluble both 
in water and alcohol. It seems destitute of resi- 
nous or gummy portions, since the residuum from 
an evaporated solution in alcohol is readily dissolv- 
ed in water, and vice versa. It is devoid of astrin- 
gency when chewed in the mouth, and it gives no 
indication of the presence of tannin or gallic acid 
when tested with animal gelatin, or with sulphate 
of iron. The abundance of the bitter principle 
is evinced by the acetate of lead and nitrate of sil- 
yer, both of which throw down a copious precipi- 
tate. The sulphuric, nitric, and muriatic acids 
occasion no change, and the muriate of tin gives 
only a slight precipitate, after some time standing. 
Of this article larger quantities are sold in the 
druggists’ shops in Boston, than of almost any in- 
digenous production. ‘The demand for it arises 
from its supposed efficacy as a local application in 
aphthous, and other ulcerations of the mouth. 
Its reputation however in these cases is wholly 
unmerited, since it possesses no astringent or 
stimulating quality, by which it can act on the ul- 
cerated spots, and where benefit has attended its 
use, it is doubtless to be ascribed to other articles 
