“ Alcohol dissolves guaiacum with facility, and forms a deef> brown-coloured solution. Water renders 
this solution milky by separating the resin. Muriatic acid throws down the guaiacum of an ash-grey, and 
sulphuric acid of a pale-green colour. Acetic acid, and the alkalies occasion no precipitate. Liquid 
chlorine throws it down of a fine pale-blue, which does not change when dried. Diluted nitric acid occa- 
sions no change at first ; but after some hours the liquid becomes green, then blue, and at last brown, and 
at that period a brown coloured precipitate falls down. If water be mixed with the liquid when it has as- 
sumed a green or a blue-colour, green and blue precipitates may be respectively obtained. 
“Sulphuric ether does not act so powerfully on guaiacum as alcohol. The solution obtained by means 
of it, exhibits the same properties when treated with re-agents as that in alcohol. 
“ The alkaline solutions, both pure and in the state of carbonates, dissolve guaiacum with facility. Two 
ounces of a saturated solution of potash dissolved about 65 grains of guaiacum ; the same quantity of am- 
monia only 25 grains; or guaiacum dissolves in about 15 parts of potash, and 68 parts of ammonia. Nitric 
acid threw down from these solutions a brown precipitate, similar to what is obtained when the alcoholic 
solution is mixed with the same acid. Muriatic acid, and diluted sulphuric acid, throw down a flesh- 
coloured curdy precipitate, which in its properties approaches the nature of extractive. 
“ Most of the acids act upon guaiacum with considerable energy. Sulphuric acid dissolves it, and forms 
a deep-red liquid, which deposits while fresh a lilac-coloured precipitate when mixed with water. When 
heat is applied the guaiacum is charred. 
“ Nitric acid dissolves guaiacum completely without the assistance of heat, and with a strong effer- 
vescence. When the solution is evaporated, it yields a very large quantity of oxalic acid. No artificial 
tannin appears to be formed, but rather a substance possessing the properties of extractive. 
“ Diluted nitric acid converts guaiacum into a brown substance, similar to the precipitate obtained by 
nitric acid from the alcholic solution of guaiacum. This brown matter possesses the properties of a resin. 
“ Muriatic acid acts but slightly, as the guaiacum soon melts into a blackish mass, which is not acted upon. 
"When guaiacum is distilled, 100 parts of it yielded to Mr. Brande the following products : 
Acidulous water 5 -5 
Thick brown oil ... 24*5 
Thin empyreumatic oil 30 - 0 
Charcoal 30'5 
Gases, consisting of carbonic acid, and carburetted hydrogen 9'0 
Loss 05 
100-0 
Medical Properties and Uses. — The Guaiacum wood was first employed by the natives of St. 
Domingo. The Spaniards soon acquired a knowledge of its virtues, and introduced it into Spain as early 
as the year 1501. The fame of this new remedy was diffused with such celerity through the other parts of 
Europe, that according to the testimony of Nicholas Poll, more than three thousand diseased persons had 
derived permanent benefits from the use of it, before the year 1517- 
A decoction of Guaiacum excites a grateful sensation of warmth in the stomach ; it gives a sense of 
dryness to the mouth, and creates a thirst ; it also increases the natural temperature of the skin, and renders 
the pulse more frequent. If the patient drink the decoction warm, and lie in bed, it generally proves mo- 
derately sudorific; and this effect may be heightened as much as we please, by employing the hot bath, the 
vapour bath, antimonials combined with opium, or Dover’s powder. When the decoction has been con- 
tin aed during ten or twelve days, in the quantity of four pints each day, the patient often complains of 
heart-burn. 
To sum up the virtues of Guaiac, it may be said that it is a stimulating medicine ; proving diaphoretic 
in a dose of a scruple, or half a drachm ; and purgative, in large doses ; It is frequently employed in chronic 
rheumatism, to excite perspiration : or in smaller doses still, to keep up a gentle determination to the skin. 
Combined with opium, its sudorific effects are increased ; and the decoction of the wood is said to increase 
the power of senna, and to prevent its griping. It is either given in substance in the form of a bolus, or 
diffused in water by the medium of mucilage. The volatile tincture is more highly stimulating than the 
simple, and is more generally employed. 
Off. Prep. Decoctum Sarsaparilla comp. L.D. 
Decoctum Guaiaci comp. E. 
Mistura Guaiaci. L. 
Tinctura Guaiaci. L.E.D. 
Tinctura Guaiaci Ammoniata. L.E.D. 
Pulvis Aloes comp. L.D. 
Pilulee Hydrargyri Sub-muriatiscomp. L.E. 
