ACAC

tincture ; and 5iv to 5X1J of the infusion, 5J to 3*ij of wafer. It isalso prepared as a syrup, and a volatile oil is distilled from it.

Incompatible with the acetates of lead and the sulphates of iron andzinc.

Prescribed in dyspepsia, jaundice, amenorrhea, intermittents, &c. andas an anthelmintic in form of enema.—Going out of use.

The Dublin Ph. has the A. maritima ; and the Paris Codex the A.Ponlica, which have nearly the same qualities.Absinthium (Sail of), a suhcarbonate of potass prepared by burning

different species of wormwood.Absorbents, from absorbeo to drink up, medicines which neutralizeor sheath acrid or acid substances in the stomach and bowels, suchas antacids.Abstergents, from abslergo to cleanse, medicines which cleanse

ulcers, &e. The term is obsolescent.AcAcia; Gummi. L. E. ihimmi Arabicum. D. P. Gum Arabic, pro-cured by incision or spontaneously from the Acacia vera, MimosaNilotica, Acacia Arabica, &c. It occurs in small rounded friablemasses, which, when pure, are nearly colourless or lemon yellow,semi-transparent, have no smell, and an insipid mucilaginous taste.There are two sorts in the shops, one from Barbary and Morocco insmall and nearly colourless tears; another from the East Indies, inlarger and darker coloured masses, also less soluble in water thanthe former.

Adulterated with the gums of the cherry and plum trees, and withgum Senegal. The latter is distinguished from the genuine by beingclammy and tenacious, and not brittle. The cherry and plum-treegum may be detected by its not dissolving in pure cold water, butreadily at a boiling heat on adding a little sulphuric or nitric acid.It is also darker coloured.

Soluble in water (forming mucilage), in lime water and alkalinesolutions, in vinegar and dilute acids, but is decomposed bystrong acids.

Insoluble in ether, oils, alcohol; which last precipitates it from itsaqueous solution in white flakes.

Incompatible with alcohol, sulphuric ether and its compound spirit, withstrong acids, ammonia, subacetate of lead, tincture of the muriateof iron, and nitrate of mercury.

Medicinally it is demulcent, and is sometimes given alone in catarrh byallowing it to dissolve slowly in the mouth. It is also given indiarrhoea, dysentery, strangury, hsemoptysis, &c.; but is chieflyused in making mucilages useful as a vehicle to some medicines, and.serving to correct the acrimony of others.