NAT. OKUEK. — GULLIFEU..E. 



145 



where it is known by the name of Ghohata ; but is not the only 

 plant which yeilds the gamboge, although it is probable that the 

 greatest portion which is bi-ought to market, is the product of this 

 tree. The Gainbogia gutta, Garcinia celibica, Hypericum promi- 

 ferum, and many other plants, j-eild a yellow gum-resin, resembling 

 in every respect the gamboge of the shops. It is obtained by 

 wounding the bark of the tree with sharp stones, or by breaking 

 off the leaves and young shoots, from whence the juice exudes, and 

 is collected in cocoa-nut shells, and thence jjoured into the joints 

 of the bamboo, which gives it the cylindrical form. 



Sensible and Chemical Properties. Gamboge has no odor, and 

 but little taste : it is of a golden yellow color, and when macerated 

 in water, forms a fine turbid yellow solution, and about two-thirds 

 of its substance is dissolved. Alcohol dissolves about 90 per cent. ; 

 water renders the tincture cloudy and bright yellow ; but it is long 

 before any precipitation takes place. Ether dissolves 60 per cent.; 

 the solution is transparent, and of a deep golden color. 



■ Medical Properties and Uses. Gamboge is a drastic cathartic, 

 acting powerfully upon the alimentary canal ; even when adminis- 

 tered in small quantities, it often produces vomiting, hypercatharsis, 

 and other unfavorable symptoms. Some writers have given it a 

 place among the acrid poisons : they came to this conclusion from 

 the experiments made on animals — finding that it frequently occa- 

 sioned death by the powerful local action which it exerts, and by 

 the sympathetic irritation of the nervous system. When admininis- 

 tared with due caution, gamboge often proves a successful hydra- 

 gogue in di'opsy, either alone, or in combination with other cathar- 

 tics. It has also been given with success for exj^elling taenia?, and 

 is probabh' the most active ingredient in most nostrums sold for 

 that purpose. For destroying the tape-worm, it has been given 

 to the extent of fifteen or twenty grains, combined with an equal 

 quantity of vegetable alkali. 



