N E W S O U T H W A L E. S. 5 
proved fatal, and the fcurvy began to rage with a viru- ^yjf ^' 
lence which kept the hofpital tents generally fupplied ^ 
with patients. For thofe af!li6led with this diforder, the 
advantage of fifli or other freili provilions could but 
rarely be procured ; nor were efculent vegetables often 
obtained in fufficient plenty to produce any material 
alleviation of the complaint. In the dyfentery, the red 
gum of the tree which principally abounds on this coaft, 
was found a very powerful remedy. The yellow gum 
has been difcovered to poffefs the fame property, but . 
in an inferior de2;ree. 
The tree which yields the former kind of gum is 
very confiderabie in fize, and grows to a great height 
before it puts out any branches. The red gum is ufually 
compared to that called fanguis draconis, but differs from 
it by being perfectly foluble in v/ater, whereas the other, 
being more properly a refin, will not diffolve except in 
fpirits of wine. It may be drawn from the tree by 
tapping, or taken out of the veins of the vvood Vv'hen 
dry, in which it is copioufly diflributed. The leaves are 
long and narrow, not unlike thofe of a wi]lovv'\ The 
v/ood is heavy and fine grained, but being much 
interfedted by the channels containing the gum, fplits 
and warps in fuch a manner as foon. to become 
•entirely ufelefs ; efpecially when worked up, as necefiity 
J 2 
at 
