GUTTA PERCHA AND CAOUfCHOUC. 
407 
In more violent cases, and such as are generally fatal, the 
diarrhoea has suddenly stopped, and given place to a severe and 
obstinate costiveness, which it is exceedingly difficult to overcome, 
requiring aromatic and purgative medicines, and more frequently 
repeated. 
As, however, it is the acute form which at present prevails, it is 
unnecessary to add any thing further on the chronic. 
Ayrshire Agriculturist. 
Gutta Percha and Caoutchouc. 
[From the “ Pharmaceutical Times.”] 
In a former communication I pointed out to you the probability 
that the important articles of caoutchouc and gutta percha would 
be procurable from Borneo. You will now see from the annexed 
extract from the latest publication on the resources of Borneo, by 
Mr. Low, entitled “ Sarawak,” that the urceola elastica is indige- 
nous there, and found in the greatest abundance. After speaking 
of the tree which yields the gutta percha, he states as follows : — 
“ Another substance, similar in all respects to caoutchouc, might 
be obtained in quantities in Borneo, as well as in many of the 
islands and on the peninsula. It is the produce of a climbing 
plant of the genus urceola, which grows to the size of a man’s 
body. The bark, which is soft and thick, with a very rough ap- 
pearance, on being cut emits the sap in the greatest abundance : 
and without destroying the tree very large quantities might be 
obtained from a single trunk.” 
Mr. Low further mentions that there are three kinds of this 
plant yielding caoutchouc, two of which are common to Sarawak. 
As a profitable article of commerce it will doubtless engage the 
attention of traders to Borneo ; but, unless collected with care at 
the proper season, and unadulterated with the milky sap of other 
plants resembling it in appearance, disappointment will ensue, and 
a clammy gum will be brought to market. This would, of course, 
fetch a very inferior price, and may bring discredit on the genuine 
urceola caoutchouc, which, if pure, is equal, if not superior, to the 
produce of South America, and probably much cheaper. 
I am, &c., 
A Bengal Civilian. 
