ACACIA 611 



bronchitis, gastro-enteritis, and is possibly useful in acute 

 cystitis and nephritis. It may be given in any amount 

 which an animal will take voluntarily. The mucilage con- 

 tained in linseed tea cannot be carried through the blood 

 and eliminated by the kidneys, so that it must act by virtue 

 of the water contained in it and perhaps by some intrinsic 

 diuretic property. 



The addition of a few drachms of gum arable to the 

 quart of linseed tea will improve the demulcent action. 

 Linseed, linseed meal or farina lini is the best substance to 

 use in the preparation of poultices. It should be mixed 

 with an equal quantity of bran, when the poultice is applied 

 directly to the part. If the poultice is enclosed in a bag, 

 the outside should be oiled to prevent its sticking to the skin. 

 Linseed nieal, mixed with an equal amount of molasses, 

 forms a common excipient for ball masses. Linseed tea, 

 made thicker than usual, is a good local application in irri- 

 tation of the rectum, or vagina. 



Acacia. Acacia. 



Synonym. — Acacise gummi, B.P.; gum arable, E.; gomme 

 arabique, Fr.; arabisches gummi, G. 



A gummy exudation from Acacia Senegal Willdenow 

 (nat. ord. LeguminosBB). 



Habitat. — ^N., E., and W. Africa. 



Properties. — In roundish tears of various sizes, or broken 

 into angular fragments with a glass-like, sometimes irides- 

 cent fracture ; opaque from numerous fissures, but trans- 

 parent and nearly colorless in thin pieces ; nearly inodorous ; 

 taste insipid, mucilaginous ; insoluble in alcohol, but soluble 

 in 2 parts of water, forming a thick, mucilaginous liquid. 



Constituents. — Arabin or arabic acid (CijHjjOn), in com- 

 bination with about 3 per cent, of magnesium, potassium and 

 calcium. 



IncompatiUes. — Alcohol, ferric salts, lead subacetate, 

 borax, and sulphuric acid. 



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