180 
ACACIA VERA. 
which may be used for many purposes connected with pharmacy, 
and the other arts. By means of this mucilage we suspend in 
water various substances which could not otherwise be diffused in 
that fluid, as in the Mistura Cretae, &c. ; it also renders oily, resinous 
and pinguedinous substances miscible with water, and forms an useful 
cement for many domestic purposes. In the arts, this gum is very 
extensively used by calico printers, and in tlie preparation of crayons 
and water colours for drawing it is an indispensible ingredient. Of 
the medical properties of gum arabic little need be said, like other 
vegetable mucilages, it may be considered nutritious, and we are 
told that in many parts of Africa and India it forms an important 
article of diet, mixed with milk, rice, &c. In the province of 
Guzerat, in India, the poor inhabitants use gum as a common article 
of food. 
In medicine this gum is chiefly used as a vehicle for the exhibition 
of other medicines ; taken internally, it has been considered a de- 
mulcent, and has been prescribed in dysentery, stranguary, sore 
throat, &c. Dr. Cullen is of opinion that this mucilage as an inter- 
nal demulcent can be of no service beyond the alimentary canal. 
" In common practice," he says, " hardly more than a few ounces 
are given in one day, and what that can give of a mucilaginous qua- 
lity to many pounds of serosity I leave my intelligent reader to 
judge." He observes, that the drinking of two pounds additional of 
aqueous liquor would be of more service than four ounces of gum 
arabic without this additional drink. By the native doctors of India, 
the bark of the gum arabic tree is considered a powerful tonic, and 
an infusion of it is prescribed in cases requiring medicine of this 
description, in the quantity of three or four ounces twice in the day. 
It is supposed to be particularly indicated in the extreme languor and 
sinking, consequent on the bite of certain snakes, and which are 
sometimes Accompanied with spitting of blood, and voiding it by 
urine.* 
Off. The Gum. Gum Arabic. 
Oflf. Pp. Emulsio Acaciae Arabicae, E. 
• Arabicae, D. 
Mucilago Acaciae Arabicje, L. E. D. 
Trochisci Gummosi, E. 
* Materia Medica, vol. ii. p. 142. 
