82 
NOTICE OF SOME BRAZILIAN DRUGS. 
gacanth. It pulverizes with some difficulty on account of its 
toughness ; and when formed, the powder is white and pure like 
pulverized gum arabic. It dissolves completely, with an oily 
aspect in solution, but this is not very tenaceous. This gum 
might be used as a substitute for the ordinary gums of the 
shops — but we are induced to believe, that it is inferior for 
many purposes to which they are applied. 
The bark of the tree is stated (op. citat.) to be a powerful 
astringent, and is used in the form of decoction. 
Fedegoso Root. 
This is stated to be the root of the Cassia occidentalism L., 
by M. August. St. Hilaire, but by Vandelli it is referred 
to the C. hirsuta, which is closely allied to the preceding. It 
has herbacous stems with opposite leaves — leaflets broadly 
ovate-acuminate and hirsute. The odour is disagreeable. 
The root is in pieces of the thickness of the finger, ligneous 
internally, and covered with a thick cortical substance, hard, 
wrinkled and black externally. In the dried state it is al- 
most entirely destitute of odour, and has a bitter disagreeable 
taste. 
It has been examined by Cadet and Henry, Journ. de 
Pharmacie, vol. iii., p. 259 — and vol. vi. p. 189. 
In Brazil this drug is used as a febrifuge, and in the " For- 
mulario " we are told that it is diuretic, and a mild tonic em- 
ployed in dropsies. Margraff states that it is used as an anti- 
dote, (for what, is not specified,) and as a remedy in strangury. 
It is employed in decoction, from 1 to 2 ounces to a pint of 
water. The leaves are also used. Pison informs us that 
the juice of them is given in injection to allay inflammation of 
the anus, and as an application to erysipelas. 
Herva Tostao. 
This is the root of the Boerhavia hirsuta, Wild., a plant 
belonging to Monandria, Monogynia, L., and to the natural 
family Nyctaginece. 
Calyx very entire. Corolla campanulate, W. Leaves ovate, 
