* 
562 ' ORD. XXXII. Gruinales. GUAIACUM OFPICINALES 
to these we may add chronic rheumatism, scrophula, and some 
schirrous diseases.—To Dr. Cullen Guaiacum seems analogous to 
the nature of the balsams and turpentines, he therefore supposes 
it like these to be very diffusible in the system, and thereby to 
have a considerable power in stimulating the extreme vessels every 
where ; and in this way he accounts for its power in chronic rheu- 
matism, and from its passing off by the pores of the skin, he con- 
siders it a probable remedy in some cutaneous disorders.' 
- This opinion corresponds with Murray’s, who says, —— Et hisce: 
partibus resinosis quidem Guaiacum per minimos corporis nostrt 
canales efficaciter penetrat, impacta resolvit & discutit, balsamicam. 
virtutem exercet et sudorem potenter pellit, item evacuationes per 
alvum vel lotium, vel aliquando saliva profluvium, ciet."  Accord- 
ing to Lewis, where the excretory glands are obstructed, the. 
vessels lax and flaccid, and the habit replete with serous. humours, 
it has good effects: but in thin emaciated. habits, and an acri- 
monious state of the fluids, it often does harm.*.—We have fre- 
quently conjoined it with mercury and soap, and in some cases 
with bark or steel, and found it eminently useful as an alterative. 
In the pharmacopeeias it is directed in the form of tincture and 
elixir; the latter is ordered by the Edinburgh college to be pre- 
pared. two ways, viz. with rectified spirit, and the vinous spirit of 
salammoniac.° Of these compounds the dose may be from. two; 
1 Mat. Med. vol. 2. 197. 
™ Murray’s Ap. Med. vol. 3, 408. BB ey SRR. 
° Dr. Cullen observes, that “ several physicians have apprehended mischief. 
from the use of the Guaiacum in a spirituous tincture, and I am certain that it 
sometimes happens. It is therefore that in imitation of the very respectable 
Berger of Copenhagen I avoid the spirituous tincture of Guaiacum, and employ 
_ almost only the diffusion. of it in water. In preparing this, having first with an 
equal part of hard sugar reduced the Guaiacum to-a fine powder, I apply some. 
portion of the yolk of an egg, or of a mucilage of gum arabic, and rubbing these 
together very carefully, I form an emulsion with water, or watery liquors, as may 
be thought proper, This preparation I give over night in such a quantity as 
