GUA′IACUM

Syn. Guaiac , Gum guaiacum , Guaiacum resin ; Guaiacum (Ph. L.), ( Guaiac resin , Guaiac a resina , B. P.). The resin prepared by means of fire from the wood of Guaiacum of ficin ale , by natural exudation, by incision, or by heat. (B. P.) This substance is often adulterated. When pure, its “fresh fracture is red, slowly pa ing to green; the tincture slowly strikes a lively blue colour on the inner surface of a thin paring of raw potato.” (B. P.) Adulteration with resin may be generally discovered by the odour evolved when the guaiacum is heated. An alcoholic tincture of guaiacum, rendered milky with water, recovers its transparency on the addition of caustic pota a in exce ; but this is not the case when resin is present. Guaiacum is stimulant, sudorific, and alterative.— Dose , 10 to 30 gr., either in powder or pills; in chronic rheumatism, gout, obstinate chronic skin disease, scrofula, syphilis, . It forms the active ingredient of the once celebrated ‘ Chelsea Pensioner ,’ and the ‘ GOUT SPECIFIC ’ of Mr Emerigon. The latter was made by digesting 2 oz. of guaiacum resin in 48 fl. oz. of rum, for seven or eight days. The dose of this was a table-spoonful every morning, fasting, for a twelvemonth. Its other properties are similar to those of GUAIAC IN , but are le marked. Sp. gr. 1·20 to 1·22.