ZYGOPHYLLACE^E. 205 



tion, was the celebrated Van Hutten, who was restored to health after having 

 been subjected to eleven courses of mercurials, and published an account of 

 his case. The use of it, however, declined, in consequence of a neglect of 

 the severe regulations in the treatment just alluded to. After a lapse of some 

 years, it was again restored to confidence, and Boerhaave and other practi- 

 tioners of his day, speak of it in terms of the utmost confidence, but the nu- 

 merous cases of failure where it alone was relied upon, again introduced the 

 use of Mercury, and as this remedy was used with more judgment and cau- 

 tion than heretofore, it became the almost universal remedy. Of late years, 

 its true powers have been more fully understood, and it is admitted that 

 although it has no specific powers in the cure of syphilis, it is an admirable 

 adjuvant in the treatment, especially in the secondary stages. 



Both the wood and the resin are officinal. The first, which is used exten- 

 sively in the arts, is well known under the name of Lignum Vitce; it is 

 imported in logs, the outer portion or sapwood of which is of a pale-yellow 

 colour, whilst the inner or heart is of a greenish-brown, in consequence of 

 the large quantity of resin which pervades it. As found in the shops it is in 

 shavings or raspings, procured from the turners who work in the wood. 

 The resin, which is usually, but erroneously termed a gum, is procured from 

 the tree in several different modes: either by natural exudation, by tapping 

 the tree and permitting the juice to escape and concrete, or by heating the 

 wood, and thus distilling off the resin. This resin is found in the shops in 

 tears or masses, but most usually in the latter form. These are of conside- 

 rable size, and are generally mixed with various impurities ; their colour is 

 brownish or greenish, always assuming the latter tint when exposed to the 

 action of the air and light. They have a certain degree of transparency, and 

 the fracture is resinous. The smell is balsamic, but not powerful ; the taste 

 is not decided, though a burning sensation is occasioned in the throat when 

 the resin is swallowed. 



Medical Properties, fyc. — Guaiacum is an acrid stimulant, proving diapho- 

 retic in small and repeated doses, acting on the bowels in large quantities, 

 and often stimulating the bladder. It has been frequently employed in chro- 

 nic rheumatism, especially when of a syphilitic character, or in scrofulous 

 subjects. From its good effects in this disease, it has been tried in gout with 

 some advantage. It is in chronic diseases of the skin, however, that it has 

 proved most beneficial either alone, or in combination with other sudorifics. 

 Its efficacy in venereal complaints has been spoken of already. In another 

 class of diseases, those of the uterus, especially in obstructed and difficult 

 menstruation, it has also proved of much benefit; the volatile tincture was a 

 great favourite with the late Dr. Dewees in these cases, and its powers in 

 the relief of this distressing condition of the female system is confirmed by 

 the testimony of many writers. 



As the activity of Guaiacum is dependent on the resin, the operation of the 

 wood is of course milder than that of the preparations of that article. From 

 the stimulating qualities of the remedy, it should not be given where there is 

 much irritation of the system, or a tendency to such a state, but its use 

 should be confined to atonic and chronic forms of disease. 



Several analyses have been made of the resin, the best of which is that of 

 Brande in 1806. He found that when devoid of impurities it consisted of 91 

 parts Guaiacin or Guaiacum proper, and 9 of extractive. This Guaiacin 

 has the properties of an acid, and is remarkable for the changes it undergoes 

 from the influence of different agents. It has been stated by some chemists 

 that it is composed of two isomeric acids, one soluble in ammonia, the other 

 merely forming a tarry compound with it. 



