184 
STYRAX QPFICINALE. 
acids. According to the analysis of Mr. Davy, 200 grains of Bengal 
Catechu gave tannin, 97 ; peculiar extractive matter, 73 ; mucilage, 
16; residual matter, chiefly sand and calcareous earth, 14. Another 
sample of Bombay Catechu gave tannin, 109 ; mucilage, 13 ; peculiar 
extractive matter, 68 ; residual matter as the former, 10. 
Medical Properties and Uses. Catechu, as being pow- 
erfully astringent, is very generally employed in all cases requiring 
medicines of this class. Formerly it was supposed to possess 
considerable antiseptic quahties, and was employed successfully both 
by Huxham and Sir John Pringle,* in cases where a putrid or dis- 
solved state of the blood prevailed. As an astringent, it is particu- 
larly useful in diarrhoea, chronic dysentery, haemorrhoidal and uterine 
haemorrhages, &c, ; and may be given alone, or in conjunction with 
the bitter and aromatic barks. As a topical remedy, it is often suc- 
cessfully employed in the form of gargle, in relaxations of the fauces, 
ulcers, aphthie in the mouth, relaxed uvula,t &c. ; the usual dose is 
from ten to sixty grains of the substance in powder. Dose of the 
tincture from one to three or four drachms. 
Off. The Extract of the Wood. 
Off". Pp. Electuarium Catechu Compositura, E. D. 
Infusum Catechu, L. E. 
Tinctura Catechu, L. E. 
STYRAX OFFICINALE. 
The Officinal Storax Tree, J 
Class Decandria.— OrtZer Monogynia. 
Nat. Ord. Bicornes, Linn. Guaiacin^, Juss. 
Gen . Char. Calyx inferior, pitcher-shaped. Corolla funnel- 
shaped. Stigma simple. Drupe coriaceous, two-seeded. 
Spec. Char. Leaves ovate, rather blunt, entire, downy 
beneath. Clusters simple, of few flowers. 
* Vide Diseases of the Army, A pp. Exp. 10. 
+ Dr. Thomson recommends the slow solntion of a small piece of catechu iu the 
mouth, as " a certain remedy for the troublesome cough induced by a relaxed uvula, 
banging into, and irritating the glottis." 
$ Fig. a. The pistillum. 6. The stamens, c. The fruit. 
