OCR Text |
Show EGYPTIAN MIMOSA, * 863 greatest quantity of pure gum, commonly called gum arabic, is furnished bythis tree, from which it exudes either spontaneously, or from incisions made into the bark, and afterwards hardens in the air. Buta similar gum maybe obtained fromall the species of mimosa, and from manyother trees, such as the Swietenia febrifuga, Melia azadirachta, and the different species of ter- minalia. It is remarkable that the barks of all the trees which furnish this bland mucilaginous substanceare highly astringent; that of the Mimosa nilotica itself is used in India for tanning ; and in our country, the cherry and plumtrees, which sometimes yield a little gum, have very astringent barks. There are two kinds of gum foundin the shops, and sold promiscuously ; gumarabic, which comes from the Levant, and East India gum. Gumarabic consists of roundish transparent tears, colourless, or of a yellowish colour, shining fracture, without smell or taste, and perfectly soluble in water. The pieces which are most transparent, and have least colour, are reckoned the best. They are sometimes selected from the gum arabic in sorts, and sold for about double the price, under the title of pickled gum. ‘The East India gumis darker coloured than gumarabic, andis not so readily soluble in water. MEDICAL USE. EGYPTIAN MIMOSA. MIMOSA NILOTICA. It possesses the powers of a mucilaginous demulcent in a high degree; and is frequently exhibited in diarrhoea, dysentery, chincough, hoarseness, strangury, &c.; and is an extremely useful article for giving form to some remedies, and for correct- 2eines Class XXIII. Polygamia. Essent. Gen. Coar. Order I. Moneecia. Bisexual flower—Culyzfive-cleft: Stamina five, or more: Pistilone: a Legume. ing the acrimony of others. Male flower—Calyz five-toothed: Corolla OFFICINAL PREPARATIONS. five-cleft : Staminafive, ten, or more. Spec. Cuar. Spines stipular, spreading: outer partial Leaves separated by a gland: Spikes globular, peduncled. a= DESCRIPTION. "Tus tree rises ten or twelve feet. Leaves bipinnate, alternate. Pinne opposite. Spines long, white, spreading, and proceed from each side of the base of the leaves. Fiowers globular, conspicuous from their numerous filaments and yellow anthers, producing long pods. Take of gum arabic, in powder, one part; boiling water, two parts: Digest with frequent agitation, until the gumbe dissolved; press the mucilage throughlinen. Mucizrace or Gum Arasic. The then (Mucilago Arabici Gummi. L.) Take of gum arabic, in powder, four ounces ; boiling distilled water, eight ounces : Triturate the gum with the water until it be dissolved. BISTORY. Native of Arabia and ZEgypt, and flowers in July. Mucitace or Gum Arasic. (Mucilago Mimosa Nilotice. FE.) |