139 UNCARJA GAMBIER 



under the impression originally that catechu was an earthy sub- 

 stance derived from Japan, it was called terra japonica. Catechu 

 has no odour; its taste at first is bitter and very astringent, but 

 subsequently sweetish. Under the microscope catechu is found to 

 consist mainly of myriads of very small acicular crystals of 

 Catechin or Catechuic Acid. It is entirely soluble in boiling 

 water, and its decoction when cool is not rendered blue by iodine, 

 indicating the absence of starch. 



Pale Catechu has essentially the same composition as Cutch or 

 Black Catechu from Acacia Catechu; thus, it mainly consists of 

 Catechin or Catechuic Acid, and Catechu-tannic Acid. Like Cutch, 

 Pale Catechu also contains a yellowish colouring matter, which 

 has been named Quercetin. 



Several other varieties of pale catechu have been described by 

 Pereira and other pharmacologists, but they are generally more 

 or less impure, and should not be used in medicine. They are 

 now, moreover, but rarely imported. 



Medical Properties and Uses. Pale Catechu is especially valu- 

 able as an astringent. Its properties are similar to the Catechu 

 obtained from Acacia Catechu, which is, however, preferred in the 

 United States ; but Pale Catechu is alone official in this country, 

 and is also more commonly used in India. It is more readily 

 soluble than that from Acacia Catechu; and is more powerful 

 than kino. Pale Catechu is a valuable remedy in chronic diar- 

 rhoea and dysentery, in which cases it may be advantageously 

 combined with opiates and chalk mixture. It may be also used 

 in passive uterine haemorrhages, and generally in mucous dis- 

 charges. When chewed, or taken in the form of a lozenge, it is 

 an excellent remedy in relaxed conditions of the uvula and palate, 

 and for hoarseness in public speakers and singers. As a topical 

 astringent it may be also applied in the form of an ointment to 

 ulcers ; and it is frequently very useful as an injection in bleeding 

 of the nose and in leucorrhoea, &c. 



Pale Catechu is also largely consumed in the East by the Betel- 

 chewers, as it forms one of the ingredients in the famed mastica- 

 tory called Betel. 



