Lexicon medicum, or, Medical dictionary : containing an explanation of the terms in anatomy, botany, chemistry, materia medica, midwifery, mineralogy, pharmacy, physiology, practice of physic, surgery, and the various branches of natural philosophy connected with medicine : selected, arranged, and compiled from the best authors / By Robert Hooper. In two volumes.

  • Hooper, Robert, 1773-1835.
Date:
1843
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Lexicon medicum, or, Medical dictionary : containing an explanation of the terms in anatomy, botany, chemistry, materia medica, midwifery, mineralogy, pharmacy, physiology, practice of physic, surgery, and the various branches of natural philosophy connected with medicine : selected, arranged, and compiled from the best authors / By Robert Hooper. In two volumes. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    ACA ACA The Egyptian Thom. This tree yields the true Acacia I Gum, or Gum-Arabic, called also Oummi acanthinum ; Gummi thcbaicum; Gummi scorpionis; Qum-lamac; ] Gummi senega, or senica, or senegalense. Cairo and Alexandria were the principal marts for gum-arabic, till the Dutch introduced the gum from Senegal into Europe, about the beginning of the seven- teenth century, and this source now supplies the greater part of tlie vast consumption of this article. The tree which yields the Senegal gum, grows abundantly on the sands, along the whole of the Barbary coast, and par- ticularly about the river Senegal. There are several species, some of which yield a red astringeni juice, but others afford only a pine, nearly colourless, insipid gum, which is the great article of commerce. These trees are from eighteen to twenty feet high, with thorny branches. The gum makes its appearance about the middle of November, when the soil has been thoroughly saturated with periodical rains. The gummy juice is seen to ooze through the trunk and branches, and, in about a fortnight, it hardens into roundish drops, of a vellowish white, which are beautifully brilliant where they are broken off, and entirely so when held in the mouth for a short time, to dissolve the outer surface. No clefts ape made, nor any artificial means used by the Moors, to solicit the flow of the gum. The lumps of gum-seuegal are usually about the size of partridge eggs, and the harvest continues about six weeks. This gum is a very wholesome and nutritious food; thou- sands of the Moors support themselves entirely upon it during the time of harvest. About six ounces is suffi- cient to support a man for a day; and it is, besides, mixed with milk, animal broths, and other victuals. The gum-arabic, or that which oomes directly from Egypt and the Levant, only differs from the gum-sene- gal in being of a lighter colour, and in smaller lumps; and it is also somewhat more brittle. In other respects, they resemble each other perfectly. Gum-arabic is neither soluble in spirit nor in oil; but, in twice its quantity of water, it dissolves into a mucilaginous fluid, of the consistence of a thick syrup, aad in this state answers many useful pharmaceutical purposes, by rendering oily, resinous, and pinguious substances miscible with water. The glutinous quality of gum-arabic renders it preferable to other gums and mucilages as a demulcent in coughs, hoarsenesses, and other catarrhal affections. It is also very generally employed in ardor urina;, diarrhoeas, and calculous complaints. 2. The name Acacia vera has also been used to de- note the expressed juice of the immature pods of the tree termed Acacia veravcl. This inspissated juice is brought from Egypt in roundish masses, wrapped up in thin bladders. It is considered as a mild astringent medicine. The Egyptians give it, in spitting of blood, in the quantity of a drachm, dissolved in any conve- nient liquor, and repeat this dose occasionally. They likewise employ it in collyria, for strengthening the eyes, and in gargles, for quinsies. It is now seldom used as a medicine, being superseded by the use of catechu, or kino. Acacia veravel. See Acacia vera. Acacia Zeylonica. See Hamatozylon Campechia- num. Acacia gum. See Acacia vera. Acacos. The thrush. See Aphtha. ACALYCINU8. (From a, priv. and calyx, a flower- cup.) Without a calyx. ACALYCIS. (From a, priv. and calyx, a flower- cup.) Without a calyx or flower-cup. Applied to plants which have no calyx. Aca'matos. (From a, neg. and Kanina, to grow vveary.) A perfect rest of the muscles, or that dispo- sition of a limb which is equally distinct from flexion and extension. ACA'NTHA. (A/cavflo; from a/oj, a point.) 1. A thorn; or any thing pointed. 2. Sometimes applied to the spina dorsi. Acantba'bolus. (From a/cavfla, a thorn; and/3aXXu, to cast out.) An instrument, or forceps, for taking out or removing thorns, or whatever may stick in the flesh. —Paulas JEgineta. Aca'nthe. The name of the artichoke in ancient authors. ACA'NTIITNUM. (From axovfla, a thorn.) Gum- arabic was called gummi acanthinum, because it is produced from a thorny tree. See Acacia Vera. I Acanticone. See Epidotc. I ACA'NTHULUS. (From. anavOa, a thom.) A I surgical instrument to draw out thorns or splinters, or to remove any extraneous matter from wounds. ACA'NTHUS. (Acanthus, i. m. aKavBos; from axavOa, a thorn; so named from being rough and prickly.) The name of a genus of plants in the Lin- naan system. Class, Didynamia; Order, Angiospcr- mia. Bear’s-breech. Acanthus mollis. The systematic name of the bear’s-hreech, or brank-ursine. Acanthus:—joins sinuatis inermibus, of Linnarus. Branca ursina of the shops. The leaves and root abound with a mucilage, which is readily extracted by boiling or infusion. The roots are the most mucilaginous. Where this plant is common, it is employed tor the same purposes to which althrca and other vegetables possessing similarqualities are applied among us. It is fallen into disuse. The herb-women too often sell the leaves of bear’s-toot, and of cow’s parsnip, for the bear’s-breech. Aca'pnon. (From a, priv. and Katcvos, smoke.) 1. Common wild marjoram. 2. Unsmoked honey. ACAROIS. The name of a genus of plants, from New South Wales. Acarois rksinifera. The name of a tree which affords the Botany bay gum. See Botany bay. [Gum Acaroides, New Holland resin, or earthy gum-lac. This is the produce of the tree called Aca- rois resinifera, or resin-bearing Acarois. The tree grows abundantly in New Holland, near Botany bay. The substance under consideration is usually found in the ground near the trees from which it has sponta- neously exuded. From some resemblance it bears (though by no means a near one) to the article called gum-lac, it has been known as the earthy gum-lac. It is of yellowish, brownish, or yellowish brown colour, and sometimes contains roots, sticks, and other foreign substances. It has been distinguished in commerce by the term Botany bay resin. They refer its importa- tion into England to the year 1799. An account of its chemical properties was published by Lichtenstein in Crell’s Journal, and afterwards by Dr. Thompson, in the fourth volume of his Chemistry, p. 138. It was known to the early navigator Tasman, and was brought to New-York and presented to Dr. Mitchill many years ago by some of our navigators. For some time past it has been regarded in Massachusetts as a pow- erful restorative, or an invigorating medicine in cases of gastric or general debility. Gum Acaroides is insoluble in water: alcohol or dis- tilled spirits is its proper menstruum. Even in pow- der its use is improper, as it is not acted upon by the intestinal or alimentary fluids. It is therefore neither administered in substance, infusion, or decoction. It is mostly prescribed in the form of tincture: Tinctura gummi acaroidis. Tincture of New Holland resin. The proper rule is to make a saturated tincture, of which a tea-spoon f ull may be given once in three or four hours, according to the circumstances, in milk, jelly, or syrup, water being apt to decompose it. From Kite’s essay upon this production, it appears, 1. That dyspepsia has been exceedingly relieved by it, and even wholly removed. 2. That it is an excellent restorative in the debility consequent upon the depletion and exhaustion of acuu; diseases. 3. It is said to have done good in hysteria 4. Cholera, with cramps of the lower extremities, lg reported to have yielded to its powers. 5. The morbid evacuations and commotions of diar- rhoea are reported to have yielded to its virtue, after opium had failed. ti. Chronic and atonic catarrhs have been benefitted by its administration. 7. It is alleged to have been remarkably serviceable in incipient dysentery, as well as in that of long duration. 8. In various spasmodic affections, such as stitches in the sides, cramp of the stomach, rheumatic twinges, &.c., it lias often afiorded relief after opiates had failed. It must be observed, however, that it is not to be prescribed in cases of high action, or phlogistic dia- thesis, nor during the prevalence of inflammatory symptoms. From this abstract of the practice with this remedy, no doubt can be entertained of its value, nor of tha