246 D. Hooper — Akahia : an Ancient Eastern Medicine. [Ko. 4, 



(Fl. JEgypt., i. 963), the Acacia vera of Yesling {JSgypt., p. 9, Icon), aud 

 is known as " Sant " among the Egyptians. These are all yernacular 

 names and synonyms of one or more species, including Acacia arabica^ 

 the common bahfil tree of this country. 



This is not the first time a paper has been read before this Society 

 on the subject of this remarkable medicine. In 1837 a communication 

 was made by Mr. Lewis DaCosta., which consisted of a translation of the 

 article on " Aqaqia" in the Makhzan-al-Adwiyah of Mahomed Khosru 

 Khan. (See Journal Asiatic Society of Bengal, Vol. VI. part I, January 

 to June, 1837, p. 392). No reference was made in the paper to the uses 

 of the drug at that time, nor were any opinions offered as to the condition 

 of the article as it was then sold or the estimation in which ib was held 

 by the people. Regarding the preparation of the extract, Pliny (24, 67) 

 says that " the juice is left to thicken in the pods, which are steeped in rain 

 water for the purpose, and then poured into a mortar, after which the 

 juice is extracted by means of presses. It is then dried in the sun, and 

 when dry, divided into tablets." 



The method of preparing the extract, according to the Makhzan, is 

 as follows : — The fresh, unripe fruits should be employed. These are 

 bruised in a mortar, boiled in water over a gentle fire until the mixture 

 assumes a thick consistence, then it is poured into moulds and set aside 

 to dry, after which it is ready for use. Some authorities are careful 

 in pointing out that the desiccation of the extract should be effected 

 under the influence of the sun's rays, as a much superior preparation is 

 supposed to be produced under these circumstances. The expressed 

 juice, after a certain degree of concentration, is sometimes poured into 

 bladders in which it is allowed to harden. 



The little bladders full of Akakia found in Europe contain about 

 five or six ounces each. That it was not unknown on the Continent in the 

 early part of last century is evidenced by the fact that " Doctor Akakia" 

 is the pseudonym under which Voltaire overwhelmed with redicule 

 Maupertuis a companion of Frederick the Grreat. 



The drug reaches India via Bombay, and is imported into this city 

 from the Red Sea ports and the Persian Gulf. It is sold in the bazars 

 of Bengal and Bombay either in very thin black cakes about the size 

 of a rupee, or in larger cakes two inches in diameter and half an inch in 

 thickness. The wholesale price is two sers for a rupee, and the commo- 

 dity retails for about If anna per chittak. 



Various observers have noticed a difference in the character of the 

 drug as sold in this country. It is usually a solid, heavy, brittle, dark 

 coloured substance without any odour; the taste is insipid or sweetish 

 at first, then astringent; it breaks with a shining fracture, and may be 



