GARCINIA MORELLA 37 



G. Hanburii which differs somewhat botanically from G. 

 morella. 



Uses. — All parts of the plant contain a thick, yellow, milky 

 juice which constitutes the gamboge. In Malabar, Ceylon, 

 Canara and Singapore the following method of extraction is 

 followed : At the beginning of the rainy season a spiral inci- 

 sion is made around the bark of about half the tree trunk, and 

 a piece of bamboo is fixed in place to collect the juice which 

 slowly exudes from the cut for several months, soon becoming 

 viscid and then solid after contact with the air. One tree, as 

 a rule, yields enough sap to fill three internodal segments of 

 bamboo, each 50 cm. long by 3-5 cm. in diameter. 



Gamboge is a laxative in doses of 10-15 cgm., produces 

 abundant evacuations with violent colicky pains in doses of 

 30-50 cgm., and is an irritant poison in large doses. In other 

 words it is a highly energetic hydragogue cathartic, especially 

 indicated when we wish to drain off the fluid element of the 

 blood, as in dropsy, asthma, pulmonary and cerebral congestion. 

 It is also used as a vermifuge. 



It is rarely given alone, but is combined with calomel, aloes, 

 jalap, rhubarb, etc. 



It is official in all pharmacopoeias. 



Botanical Description. — A tree 10-20 meters high, with 

 leaves opposite, elliptical, lanceolate, narrowed at both extremi- 

 ties, acuminate, entire, coriaceous, glabrous, 10—12 cm. long 

 by 3-4 cm. broad, with short petioles. Flowers dioecious. 

 Male flower axillary, solitary or in groups of 3-6, pedunculate 

 with small bracts. Calyx, 4 sepals. Corolla, 4 petals, orbicu- 

 lar, thick, fleshy. Stamens 30-40, sessile, adherent at the base. 

 Anthers unilocular. Female flower sessile, solitary, axillary, 

 larger than the male ; calyx and corolla equal ; staminodia 

 20-30, jointed at the base, forming a membranous corolla from 

 the upper edge of which spring a few short filaments which 

 support each a suboval sterile anther. The ovary is superior 



