GUm Gutta, or Gutta Gamba, Gamboge, Gamandra or Peruvian Gum, is a Gum that flows from the Trunk of a creeping Plant, that is of such a particular Nature, that it has neither Leaves, nor Flower, nor Fruit: And produces nothing but a Quantity of prickly or thorny Branches, which arise one among another, according to the Figure represented in the Plate.
The People of Siam, and the adjacent Countries, cut the thick Trunk of the Plant; from whence proceeds an inspissate milky Juice of a moderate Consistence, which after it is left some Time in the Air, thickens and grows yellow, and then the People roll it up like Paste, and afterwards make it in Cakes as we have it brought to us. The Peasants about Odia or India the Capital of Siam, bring it to Market to sell, as our Country People bring Butter.
It is most commonly brought into Europe from Peru and China, and other Places of the East, being of a pure fine Body like Aloes, but of the Colour of the finest Turmerick, being a good yellow inclining to an Orange Colour, without Rubbish or Filth in it, fine and clean in round Rolls or Cakes, and easily dissolving in Water, being almost all of it Tincture. That it abounds with Sulphur plainly appears, not only by the chymical Resolution of it, whereby a large Quantity of Oil is extracted from it, but also from that bloody Colour, which the Solution acquires, when Lime-Water is pour'd upon it; seeing the very same Colour will be produc'd in Lime-Water, if you boil common Sulphur or Brimstone along with it; and that Gum Gutta is not altogether destitute of a pungent or sharp Salt, manifestly appears by its producing a greenish Colour, quite different from that of a red upon the blue Paper.
Gamboge ought to be chosen of a bright yellow Colour a little inclining to red, clean and free from Sand, and which being chew'd dyes the Spittle of a yellow Colour, and being held to the Flame of a Candle, is apt to take Fire. It is prescrib'd crude or unprepared, from three Grains to six or ten; but it will do better in a Magistery as follows: Take what Quantity you please of Gamboge, dissolve it in Spirit of Wine tartariz'd, then pouring Water upon it, a Powder of a noble yellow Colour will precipitate or fall to the Bottom: This is given from six to ten Grains by itself, or in an Ounce of Pulp of Cassia for a Bolus. Others dissolve it in Vinegar or Spirit of Sulphur or Vitriol, and so make an Extract. Gum Gutta is us'd in the Catholick Extract of Sennertus, in the cholagogue Extract of Rolfinchius, in the hydropick Pills of Bontius, in the hydragogick Electuary of Mr. Charas. Lastly, the Pills of Gutta Gamandra of the London Dispensatory borrow their Names from it.
This was doubtless, the Gum Monardus us'd against the Gout: It both vomits and purges admirably, carries off watery Humours, and is chiefly us'd against Dropsies, Cachexia's, Gouts, Scabs and Itch. Rolfinchius says, it suffices to give this Gum crude, being finely powder'd and sprinkled with Spirit or Oil of Anniseed, and so dry'd again. 'Tis an incomparable and beneficial Cathartick for purging serous and watery Humours, and may be given to a Scruple in Substance in strong Constitutions.
There is a yellow staining Colour to wash Maps and Pictures with, made of this Gamboge. Take an Ounce thereof and put it in Water enough to dissolve it, and it makes a good Colour for Pen or Pencil; if you add a little Gum Arabick, it will be so much the better; being dissolved likewise in clear Spring Water, it yields a very beautiful and transparent yellow by the Addition of a little Alum to it, which will both brighten and strengthen the Colour.
Gummi Gutta, Gutta Gamba, Gutta Gamandra, &c. or Gamboge, is a resinous Gum brought us from India in large Rolls or Cakes that are hard, but brittle and extreamly yellow: The Gum flows by Incision from a Sort of thorny creeping Shrub, that runs up a-height, and winds itself about any neighbouring Trees: The Trunk of it is thicker than a Man's Arm; and the Indians by cutting of it, gain a concreted Juice, which being of the Consistence of a Paste, they mould into what Form they please. Some Authors hold that the Plant which produces this Gum, is a Kind of Lathyris, and that the Leaves are as thick as those of the Barba Jovis, or the greater Housleek. It ought to be chose dry, hard, brittle, clean and of a deep Colour: It purges strongly upwards and downwards, and ignorant People should not be too busie with it.