61 [pEM. 
witnessed a ‘thousand times.” In justice to the 
author thus materially misquoted, on a point too, 
I think, of practical importance, I here correct 
Dr. Paris, by refering him to the different editions 
of the *‘’l'herapeutics” for the substitution of ‘+ an 
hundred times,” instead of a « thousand”? which 
lessens the strength of his corroboration on the 
authority quoted, ten percent: or, inother words 
his position on the authority assumed, is ten fold 
less important than he imagined. And even his 
authority admits the nutritive (and consequently 
easily assimilated quality) of the article in ques- 
tion, by quoting Hasselquists report in its favour. 
Tam the more desirous to remove this error sup- 
ported by such alarming round numbers by Dr. 
Paris, from my total discredit of the correctness 
of any opinion, from whatever source emanating, 
which impugns the nutrient nature of this invalu- 
able substance, in the treatment of certain bowel 
complaints of children emaciated by a long con- 
_ tinuance of an enervating complaint. The truth 
is, gum-arabic is never thus passed wholly unassimi- 
lated, even in diseased constitutions—much, less in 
those of a healthy condition ; but it is natural to 
suppose, that in the impaired if not depraved con- 
dition of the digestive functions, in those cases 
in which it has generally been directed as aliment, 
that some portion of it, over what might be equal to 
the demands of the system thus suffering under 
weakened digestive powers, should be excrementi- 
tiously passed. I have seen this often myself, from 
the use of what I supposed to be gum-arabic, but 
which was probably sophisticated: but, neverthe- 
Jess, a due and sufficient quantity has, in such cases, 
been taken up and appropriated to supporting 
the sinking powers of life. That this has been 
the case in numerous instances under my own care, 
