ON THE GUM OF THE RHUS METOPIUM, ETC. 
45 
acquires a black colour, and a hard brittle resinous consist- 
ence. 
In its recent state, this juice, taken to the extent of one 
or two table-spoonfuls diluted with an equal quantity of 
water, and sweetened with a sufficiency of sugar, is said by 
Dr. Barham to afford relief in cases of colic, and to act at 
the end of four or five hours as a mild aperient. It is also 
employed for the same purpose in the shape of an enema. 
By age it acquires a harder consistence, and becomes as- 
tringent in its properties. In this state it is reputed to act 
as a diuretic upon the urinary organs, and is given in pills 
for the cure of gonorrhoea, resembling in its effects the more 
costly balsam of copaiva, for which it might not improbably 
be substituted with advantage in our shops. 
Applied in the form of a plaster to the inflamed part, this 
gum is said to afford relief in gout and rheumatic affections; 
acting in these cases not improbably as a substimulant, and 
exciting the action of the absorbents. . 
As a topical application to recent wounds and excoria- 
tions, both Barham and Browne speak in the highest terms 
of its vulnerary effects ; and the former recommends a cerate, 
prepared according to the following form, as an excellent 
remedy for recent wounds: — 
J& Gummi rhus metopii, 
Adipis praaparati, aa giv. 
Ceree albse, 
Pulveris aristolochiee odoratissimse, aa §ij. 
Resinse flavse, §j. 
M. s. a. ut fiat ceratum. 
The aristolochia, which enters into the composition of the 
above preparation, is a climbing plant frequent in the woods 
of Jamaica, where it is in considerable estimation among the 
the local practitioners under the names of birthwort and con- 
trayerva. Its roots and seeds are bitter and aromatic, and 
are reputed to be powerful antidotes to the poison of serpents 
and other venomous reptiles. The roots in decoction are an 
