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36 The Materia Medica,

This gum-refin (for its being calJed a refin was a miftakewhich efcaped the attention of the correctors of the prefs)is brought to us from that part of Africa adjacent tothe river Gambia, and began to be employed about thirtyyears ago. It is divided intopieces of various magnitude, fomeas large as a walnut. (Spielman.) It is hard, brittle, of adark reddifh colour, inclining to black, and opake,—exceptthe minute fragments of it, which appear, like bits ofgarnet,red, and tranfparent. (Fothergill ?ned. Ob/. 13 Inq. Vol. I.)It has a refemblance to Catechu, but is more red and a-ftringent. (Webßer's Ed. of Lew. Di/p.)

Great part of it diflblves readily in the moutfa, difcoveringa ftrong but grateful aftringency, with fomewhat of a muci-laginous fvveetnefs. When coarfely powdered, and throwninto water, about 5 or 6 parts in fcven foon diflblve, andcommunicate to it a deep red colour, and a ftrong äftringenttafle. Wnat remains undiflblved appears to be refinous. ItdifFers from the red lumps of the common Gura Senega inbeing muco, more brittle,-—from Dragon's Blood by diflölvingin water,—and from both by its ftipticity. Fothergill adds,that he has had fpecimens fent him not (o readily foluble inwater, and in tafte bitter and auftere, which he luppofes theproduce of a different tree. Med. Obf. Ö" Inq, Vol. I.

It was firft mentioned by Dr. Oldfield to Dr. Fothergill asan ufeful remedy in chronical diarrhcea, and the latter thinksitmay be ufeful notonly in diarrhcea but leucorrhcea, and iniuch difeafes as arife from laxity and acrimony.

L.