404 MATERIA MEUICA 



given it also with good effect in bloody urine. In the two 

 latter diseases, I have given it with opium, ginger, and some- 

 times with alum ; and in the first with alls{)ice, caraway seeds, 

 and gingei-, simmered in half a pint of table beer, and afterwards 

 mixed with half a pint of good ale, or strong beei*. The dose 

 of catechu is from 1 to 4 drachms. I am inclined to think that 

 it would be found a useful tonic, in habitual or constitutional 

 weakness of bowels ; that is, in horses that scour from any un- 

 usual exercise, or upon drinking cold water ; also in cases of 

 general debility. Alkaline salts destroy the astringent powers 

 of catechu, and metallic salts form with it insoluble compounds. 



ACACIA GUMMI, ACACIA GUM. Gum Arabic. This 

 gum is procured from the bark of a species of mimosa, which is 

 very common in Egypt and Arabia Petrfea. Several other 

 trees also produce it, and it is remarkable that the barks of those 

 trees from which it is obtained are extremely bitter. Cherry 

 and plum trees are an instance of this. There are two principal 

 sorts of gum Arabic, one procured from the Levant, another 

 from the East Indies. The latter is the darkest, is not so 

 readily soluble in water, and forms a thicker mucilage than the 

 former. The mucilage of acacia is formed by gradually adding 

 half a pint of boiling water to four ounces of the gum in powder, 

 until they form a mucilage. Although it exerts no specific 

 action upon the system, still it is extremely useful as a demul- 

 cent, forming, as it were, a coat which shields those parts through 

 which it passes from the action of acrid substances. It is pre- 

 scribed in inflammation or irritation of the fauces and alimentaiy 

 canal, and in painful affections of the urinary organs. 



ACETATE. A salt formed by combining acetic acid or 

 pure vinegar with an alkali, an earth, or a metallic oxide. 

 There are several acetates used in Veterinary Medicine, each of 

 which will be noticed under its respective name. 



Acetate of Ammonia, Solution of. — Liquor Ainmonice 

 Acetatis. Formerly named Mindererus's Spirit, and is made by 

 adding vinegar to carbonate of ammonia in powder, until it 

 ceases to produce effervescence ; about an ounce of the carbonate 

 of ammonia will be sufficient for two pints of vinegar. It may 

 also be made by adding spirit of hartshorn to vinegar till it 

 tastes neither salt nor soui*. Mr. Blaine strongly recommends 

 this medicine in febrile disease and epidemic catarrh when 

 debility is present combined with camphor and camomile. Its 

 action is diaphoretic, slightly diuretic and tonic, the dose from 

 4 to 6 ounces. The Editor has given it in influenza with good 

 effect. 



Acetate of Copper. — Ciqjri Di-acetas. This was formerly 

 named crystallised verdigris, and distilled verdigris. It is com- 

 posed of the oxide of copper and acetic acid. It is sometimes 



