MIMOSA CATECHU. ORD. XXV. Lomentacee. 437 
This extract is called Cutt by the natives, by the, English Cutch, 
and by different authors Terra Japonica, Catechu, Khaath, Cate, 
Cachou, &c. “ In its purest state it is a dry pulverable substance, | 
outwardly of a reddish colour, internally of a shining dark brown, 
tinged with a reddish hue; in the mouth it discovers considerable 
astringency, succeeded by a sweetish mucilaginous taste. Ac- 
cording to Lewis, 2 it dissolves almost totally in water, excepting 
the impurities ; which are usually of the sandy kind, and amount- 
ing in the specimens I examined to about one-eighth of the mass. 
Of the pure matter, rectified spirit dissolves about seven-eighths 
into a deep red liquor: the part which it leaves undissolved, is an 
almost insipid mucilaginous substance.”' ‘* Catechu may be 
usefully employed for most purposes where an astringent is 
indicated, provided the most powerful be not required. But it 
is particularly useful in alvine fluxes; and where these require 
the use of astringents, we are acquainted with no one equally 
beneficial. Besides this, it is employed also in uterine profiuvia, 
in laxity and debility of the viscera in general, in catarrhal affec- 
tions, and various other diseases where astringents are necessary. 
It is often suffered to dissolve leisurely in the mouth, as a topical 
astringent for laxities and exulcerations of the gums, for apthous 
ulcers in the mouth, and similar affections.”* “ This extract is 
the basis of several fixed formule in our pharmacopeeias, par- 
£ Lewis’s M. M. p. 642. 
& See Duncan’s Edinb. New Dispens. p. 167. 
The antiseptic quality of Catechu appears from the experiments made by Sir 
John Pringle. . (Vide Diss. of the Army, App. Exp. 10.) _Huxham employed 
it successfully in cases where a putrid dissolved state of the blood prevailed. This 
extract is the principal ingredient in an ointment of great repute in India, composed 
of Catechu four ounces, alum nine drams, white resin four ounces; these are re- 
duced to a fine powder, and mixed with the hand, adding olive oil ten ounces, 
and a sufficient quantity of water, to bring the mass to the consistence of an oint. 
ment. To all sores and ulcers in warm climates astringent applications of this kind, 
are found to be peculiarly useful. See Kerr lc. 
No. 37.—vo1, 5s 
