MIMOSA NILOTICA. ORD. XXV. Lementacece, 44} 
The glutinous quality of gum arabic is preferred to most other 
gums and mucilaginous substances as a demulcent, in coughs, 
hoarsenesses, and other catarrhal affections, in order to obtund 
irritating acrimonious humours, and to supply the loss of abraded 
mucus. It has been very generally employed in cases of ardor 
uring, and stranguary: but it is the opinion of Dr. Cullen, “ that 
even this mucilage, as an internal demulcent, can be of no service 
beyond the alimentary canal. In common practice hardly more 
than a few ounces are given in one day; and what that can give 
of a mucilaginous quality to many pounds of serosity, I leave my 
intelligent reader to judge. Still, however, it may not be thought 
enough to reason a priori, and I should say, what experience has 
actually taught. What others may have observed, I cannot deter- 
mine; but, for myself I can assert, that, in innumerable trials, I 
have never observed the effects of gum arabic in the mass of 
blood, or in the excretions derived from it. The most frequent 
occasion for its use is in the ardor urine; and in that I have been 
often disappointed, and have often found that two pounds of water 
or watery liquors added to the drink, would be of more service 
than four ounces of gum arabic taken in without such addition.””* 
This gum is an ingredient in the Hartshorn decoction, the chalk 
Julep, the common emulsion, and some of the troches as directed 
in our Pharmacopeeias. 
* Mat. Med. p. 415. vol. 2. 
Gum Arabic has been founda good substitute for food; and Dr. Sparrman tells 
us, that he pointed out this gum to the Hottentots, ‘* which they might gather in 
many spots thereabouts from the Mimosa nilotica; but this was a species of food 
very well known to them, and which they had often tried—When in want of other 
provisions, the Boshies-men are said to live upon this for many days together,” ——~ 
' Voyage to the Cape, vol, ii. p. 23. 
No, 37.—vo1. 3, 5ST Bee 
