Acacia

Gum-arabic

Gum-arabic. A gummy exudation from Acacia vera, and other species of Acacia.

Mucilago Acaciae

Mucilage of gum-arabic.

Syrupus Acaciae

Sirup of gum-arabic. (Mucilage of acacia, 25 c. c; sirup, 75 c. c.)

Tragacantha

Tragacanth. The gummy exudation from Astragalus gummifer, and from other species of Astragalus. Mucilago Tragacanthae.—Mucilage of tragacanth.

Sassafras Medulla

The pith of the stems of Sassafras officinale.

Mucilago Sassafras Medullar

Mucilage of sassafras-pith.

Actions and Uses

These preparations are used as demulcent drinks, in cases of acute inflammation of the stomach and intestines. They are supposed to make a protective coating on the inflamed part, and thus save it from further injury. They are especially indicated when irritating and corrosive substances have been swallowed. They are also frequently prescribed as diet-drinks in fevers and in acute inflammations, in accordance with the supposition that they are not only soothing to the alimentary canal, but are, in a limited sense, foods. As nutrients these gums and mucilaginous substances rank very low, and can by no means take the place of such a food as milk. Furthermore, they are exceedingly apt to undergo fermentation, and to produce flatulent colic and diarrhoea.

Mucilaginous drinks are very frequently taken in catarrhal affections of the bronchial tubes and of the kidneys, with the view to modify the morbid process going on in these parts. It need hardly be stated that such a theory of the utility of demulcents is erroneous. Cough is modified by an influence which is probably reflex, when mucilages are applied to the fauces; but in no other way can the mucous membrane of the air-passages be affected by such remedies taken into the stomach. As gums undergo digestion in the alimentary canal, it is obvious that they can not act as demulcents on any part of the urinary tract.

The chief use of these remedies is in extemporaneous prescriptions, to hold insoluble medicines in suspension, and to cover the taste of disagreeable ingredients.