guaiacum (as gwayacum)

[Latinized from guaiac (q. v.).] 1. Bot .: A genus of Zygophyllacese, tribe Zygophyllese (q.v.). Calyx of five unequal segments; petals five-stalked; stamens ten; fruit, a five angled, five-celled capsule, sometimes by abortion two or three-celled. Guaiacum of ficin ale is an ornamental tree with blue flowers, growing in Jamaica. The wood furnishes Lignum vitæ (q. v.); its resin is called Gum guaiacum (q.v.). The leaves of G. sanctum are used in the West Indies as a sub stitute for soap. The bark and wood of both specios are used as sudorifics, diaphoretics, or alteratives. 2. Phar.: Guaiac wood, Lignum vitæ, Guaiaci lignum, the wood of Guaiacum of ficin ale , a native of St. Domingo and Jamaica. When a log is bored longitudinally and placed in the fire, a dark brown aromatic resin exudes, which is collected, and which is soluble in alcohol and ether. An alcoholic solution gives a blue color when placed on a slice of a raw potato, the guaiacic acid acting on the gluten. The resin is used to prepare Mixtura guaiac i (Mixture of guaiacum), and Tinctura guaiac i ammo niata (Ammoniated tincture of guaiacum). The resin taken internally causes irritation of the intestinal canal. The tincture is used externally in cases of chronic rheumatism as a stimulant. guaiacum-resin, s. Chem.: A reddish-brown resin, obtained from the wood of Guaiacum of ficin ale . The resin di olves in potash; and in concentrated sulphuric acid with a red color. A tincture of the resin is turned blue by oxidizing agents: as chromic acid, ferric chloride. Guaiacum resin, fused with caustic potash, yields pro toc a tec huic acid. gû-ạn, s . [The Guiana name of the bird.] Ornith. The genus Penelope, which belongs to the family Cracide (Cura ows). [PENELOPE.] †guâ nạ (uas w), s. The same as IGUANA (q. v.). guă-na-cō (u as w), s . [Sp. American.] Zool.: Auchenia guanaco , a llama, believed by many to be the original stock from which the domesticated animal of that name was derived. The guanaco inhabits the chain of the Andes to their most southerly point. marine; gō, pot guanamide