Actions

Gum Arabic

From London's Ghost Acres


Gum Arabic (also known as acacia gum) is a gum made from the sap of members of the acacia tree family. It is used in food production, printing (particularly in lithography), paint, glue, and cosmetics. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gum_arabic)

All lozenges listed in the Pharmacopeia include gum Arabic in their recipes. It is listed as a demulcent in the Compendium, and is considered one of the best demulcents for treating sore throats and coughs. Gum Arabic is included in a wide range of treatments, and is also included in a recipe used to nurse those who have “tender chests” back to health.


British Pharmacopoeia 1867

Gum Acacia Cacaiae Gummi

“A gummy exudation from the stems of one of more undetermined species of Acacia.” [1]

Characteristics

“In spheroidal tears usually from half an inch to an inch in length, nearly colourless, and opaque from numerous minute cracks, or in fragments with shinning surfaces; brittle; bland and mucilaginous in taste; insoluble in alcohol, but soluble in water>” Included in preparations of:

  • Mistura Cretae
  • Mistura Guaiaci
  • Mucilago Acaciae
  • Pulvis Anygdalae
  • Pulvis Tragacanthae compositus
  • Trochisci, in all

Preparations of Gum Acacia

Chalk Mixture / Mistura Cretae [2]

  • prepared chalk (1/4 oz), gum acacia, in powder (1/4 oz), syrup (1/2 fl oz), cinnamon water (7 ½ fl oz)
  • dose: 1-2 fl oz

Guaiacum Mixture / Mistura Guaiaci[3]

  • guaiacum Resin, in powder (1/2 oz), refined sugar (1/2 oz), gum acacia, powdered (1/4 oz), cinnamon water (1 pint)
  • dose: ½-2 fl oz

Mucilage of Gum Acacia / Mucilago Acaciae [4]

  • gum acacia, in small pieces (4 oz), distilled water (6 fl oz)
  • used in the preparations of: Trochisci Acidi Tannici, Trochisci Bismuthi, Trochisci Catechu, Trochisci Ferri Redacti, Trochisci Ipecacuanhae, Trochisci Morphiae, Trochisci Morphiae et Ipecacuanhae, Trochisci Potasse Chloratis, Trochisci Sodae Bicarbonatis

Compound Powder of Almonds / Pulvis Amygdalae Compositus [5]

  • sweet almonds (8 oz), refined sugar, in powder (4 oz), gum acacia, in powder (1 oz)
  • used in preparations: Mistura Amygdalae

Compound Powder of Tragacanth / Pulvis Tragacanthae Compositus[6]

  • tragacanth in powder (1 oz), gum acacia, in powder (1 oz), starch, in powder (1 oz), refined sugar, in powder (3 oz)
  • dose: 20-60 grains

Tannic Acid Lozenges / Trochisci Acidi Tannisi[7]

  • tannic acid (360 grains), tincture of tolu (1/2 fl oz), refined sugar, in powder (25 oz), gum acacia, in powder (1 oz), lucilage of gum acacia (2 fl oz), distilled water (1 fl oz)
  • dose_ 1-6 lozenges

Bismuth Lozenges / Trochisci Bismuthi[8]

  • subnitrate of bismuth (1440 grains), carbonate of magnesia (4 oz), precipitate carbonate of lime (6 oz), refined sugar (29 oz), gum acacia, in powder (1 oz), mucilage of gun acacia (2 fl oz), rose water (as needed)
  • dose: 1-6 lozenges

Catechu Lozenges / Trochisci Catechu[9]

  • pale catechu, in powder (720 grains), refined sugar, in powder (24 oz), gum acacia, in powder (1 oz), mucilage of gum acacia (2 fl oz), distilled water (as needed)
  • dose: 1-6 lozenges

Reduced Iron Lozenges / Trochisci Ferri Redacti [10]

  • reduced iron (720 grains),k refined sugar, in powder (25 oz), gum acacia, in powder (1 oz), mucilage of gum acacia (2 oz), distilled water (1 fl oz)
  • dose 1-6 lozenges

Ipecacuanha Lozenges / Trochisci Ipecacuanhae[11]

  • ipecacuanha in power (180 grains), refined sugar, in powder (25 ounces), Gum acacia, in powder (1 oz), mucilage of gum acacia (2 fl oz) distilled water (1 fl oz, or more if needed)
  • dose 1-3 lozenges

Morphia Lozenges / Trochisci Morphinae [12]

  • hydrochlorate of morphia (20 grains), tincture of tolu (1/2 fl oz), refined sugar, in powder (24 oz), gum acacia, in powder (1 oz), mucilage of gum acacia (as needed), distilled water (1/2 fl oz)
  • dose: 1-6 lozenges

Morphia and Ipecacuanha Lozenges / Trochisci Morphiae et Ipecacuanhae [13]

  • hydrochlorate of morphia (20 grains), ipecacuanha, in fine powder (60 grains), tincture of tolu (1/2 fl oz), refined sugar, in powder *24 oz), gum acacia, in powder (1 oz), mucilage of gum acacia (as needed), distilled water (1/2 fl oz)
  • dose: 1-6 lozenges

Opium Lozenges / Trochisci Opii

  • extract of opium (72 grains), tincture of tolu (1/2 fl oz), refined sugar, in powder (16 oz), gum acacia, in powder (2 oz), extract of liquorice (6 oz), distilled water (as needed)
  • dose: 1-6 lozenges

Chlorate of Potash Lozenges / Trochisci Potassae Chloratis [14]

  • chlorate of potash in powder (3600 grains), refined sugar, in powder (25 oz), gum acacia, in powder (1 oz), mucilage of gum acacia (2 fl oz), distilled water (1 fl oz)
  • dose: 1-6 lozenges

Bicarbonate of Soda Lozenges / Trochisci Sodae Bicarbonatis[15]

  • bicarbonate of Soda, in powder (3600 grains), refined sugar, in powder (25 oz), gum acacia in powder (1 oz), mucilage of gum acacia (2 fl oz), distilled water (1 oz)
  • dose 1-6 lozenges

A Compendium of Domestic Medicine, 1865

Classified by Savory as a Demulcent (Simple Remedies Which Allay Irritation by Their Soothing Properties) (413/392), and is considered to be the most useful demulcent used by physicians.[16]

Used to treat coughs by dissolving a piece in the mouth. Gum dissolved in water and combined with barley-water can be used to treat inflammation of the kidneys and bladder, and provide relief during the inflammatory stages of gonorrhoea. “From its light and supposed digestible nature, it is considered a wholesome and nutritious food…. About six ounces of this gum are sufficient to support a man for a day.”[17]

Often used to form a mucilage, in which other medications can be suspended.

Remedies Containing or to be used with Gum Arabic

  • Acid, Gallic: being combined with a mucilage of gum Arabic is one way to administer the treatment. A mucilage of gum Arabic is used to make pills that treat night sweats due to consumption, and a mucilage is also employed in a mixture used by Dr. Neligan in haemorrhages in the kidneys or bladder[18]
  • Balsam, Copaiva: mucilage of gum Arabic used to administer treatment[19]
  • Bismuth, White: mucilage of gum Arabic used to form pills to treat “Gastrodynia, Spasmodic Pain in the Stomach,” and a draught recommended by Dr. Copland to treat “Gastrodynia with Flatulence.”[20]
  • Buchu Leaves: mucilage of gum Arabic used in a mixture for treating gleet and fluor albus.[21]
  • Camphor: powdered gum Arabic used to make an emulsion to combat “febrile action,” reduce irritation, increase perspiration, and promote sleep.[22]
  • Carrageen, or Irish Moss: gum Arabic used in a powder that can be turned in a jelly that is highly nutritious, greatly benefiting those with consumption, or children with Mesenteric disease.[23]
  • Chalk, Prepared: gum Arabic (powdered) used in a mixture given to infants suffering from diarrhoea.[24]
  • Cubeb, or Java Pepper: oil of cubeb can be easily administered when 5-15 drops are combined with a mucilage of gum Arabic.[25]
  • Ether, Chloric: powdered gum Arabic used in a mixture than acts as a stimulant and antispasmodic[26]
  • Extract of Hemlock: mucilage of gum Arabic used in a draught provided by Dr. Paris that will treat coughs and pulmonary irritations.[27]
  • Extract of Jalap: when combined with gum Arabic, Jalap is less likely to cause gripe when used in treatments[28]
  • Gum Arabic: used to treat coughs, reduce inflammation, and as a nutritious food source.[29]
  • Gum Guaiacum: one of the best ways to administer Gum Guaiacum is within a mucilage of gum Arabic, and Gum Arabic is included in “The Draught”[30]
  • Gum Scammony: gum Arabic included in “The Huile Purgative of Swediaur” which is often administered to children [31]
  • Paregoric Elixir: mucilage of gum Arabic used in a mixture for hooping-cough.[32]
  • Tincture of Balsam of Tolu: mucilage of gum arabic is one of the ways tincture of balsam of tolu can be administered[33]
  • Tincture of Cubebes: mucilage of gum Arabic used in a mixture beneficial in combating diseases of the bladder and urinary passages, gonorrhoea, and gleet.[34]

Diseases Treated with Gum Arabic

General Diseases

  • Cough: Mucilage of Gum Arabic used in a mixture to treat “Severe Cough of Children of Four Years of Age.”[35]
  • Choler Morbus: powdered gum Arabic included in pills used to treat vomiting or pain, which continues after initial treatment.[36]
  • Dyspepsia, or Indigestion: powdered gum Arabic included in Dr. Graves’ treatment for dyspepsia accompanied by “acid eructations” that had not been reduced with other forms of treatment[37]
  • Retention of the Urine: an emulsion made with gum Arabic “has frequently been employed with decided benefit.”[38]

Medical Articles Containing Gum Arabic

  • Hartshorn Drink: gum Arabic[39]
  • Lotion for removing particles of Iron from the Eye: mucilage of gum Arabic[40]
  • Cretaceous Powder: powdered gum Arabic[41]
  • Acacia Mixture: powdered gum Arabic[42]

Prescriptions Containing Gum Arabic

Antacids

  • Compound Chalk Mixture: powdered gum Arabic[43]
  • Acacia Mixture: powdered gum arabic[44]

Alternatives 330/

Aperients and Cathartics

  • Aperient Draught (Another): mucilage of gum Arabic[45]
  • Aperient Oil Draught: mucilage of gum Arabic [46]

Antispasmodics

  • The Pill: mucilage of gum arabic[47]

Astringents

  • Turpentine Mixture: mucilage of gum Arabic, “when diarrhoea has long existed”[48]

Carminatives

  • Stomach Mixture (Another): mucilage of gum arabic[49]

Demulcents

  • Demulcent Mixture: powdered gum Arabic[50]
  • Cough Mixture: mucilage of gum Arabic[51]
  • Cough Mixture (Another): Gum Arabic[52]

Diaphoretics

  • Diaphoretic Mixture (Another): powdered gum arabic[53]

Expectorants

  • Expectorant Mixture: mucilage of gum arabic[54]

Narcotics and Anodynes

  • Simple Sedative Syrup: mucilage of gum Arabic[55]
  • Compound Sedative Syrup: mucilage of gum arabic[56]

Cookery for the Sick that includes Gum Arabic

  • Orgeat: drink used to treat “those who have a tender chest,” often during gout. When combined with gum Arabic it can reduce pain “of the attendant heat.”[57]

References

  1. General Medical Council of Great Britain, British Pharmacopeia, (London: Spottiswoode & Co.,1867), ?? https://archive.org/details/britishpharmacop00gene
  2. GMCGB, 209
  3. GMCGB, 211
  4. GMCGB, 216
  5. GMCGB, 261
  6. GMCGB, 266
  7. GMCGB, 246-47
  8. GMCGB, 347
  9. GMCGB, 347-48
  10. GMCGB, 348
  11. GMCGB, 348
  12. GMCGB, 349
  13. GMCGB, 349-50
  14. GMCGB, 350-51
  15. GMCGB, 351
  16. Savory, John. A Compendium of Domestic Medicine (London: John Churchill and Sons, 1865), 72. https://books.google.ca/books?id=VxoDAAAAQAAJ&printsec=frontcover&source=gbs_ge_summary_r&cad=0#v=onepage&q&f=false
  17. Savory, 72
  18. Savory, 3
  19. Savory, 25
  20. Savory, 32
  21. Savory, 34
  22. Savory, 37
  23. Savory, 41
  24. Savory, 43
  25. Savory, 52
  26. Savory, 61
  27. Savory, 64
  28. Savory, 67
  29. Savory, 72
  30. Savory, 75
  31. Savory, 78
  32. Savory, 114
  33. Savory, 154
  34. Savory, 158
  35. Savory, 219
  36. Savory, 222
  37. Savory, 243
  38. Savory, 250
  39. Savory, 293
  40. Savory, 295
  41. Savory, 296
  42. Savory, 296
  43. Savory, 306
  44. Savory, 306
  45. Savory, 312
  46. Savory, 312
  47. Savory, 327
  48. Savory, 320
  49. Savory, 321
  50. Savory, 322
  51. Savory, 323
  52. Savory, 323
  53. Savory, 326
  54. Savory, 327
  55. Savory, 332
  56. Savory, 332
  57. Savory, 346


Imported from