Observations on the nutritive properties of acacia-gum : known in commerce under the names of gum-arabic & gum-senegal, and on the uses to which it may be applied in tropical climates / By Richard Pearson.

  • Pearson, Richard, 1765-1836.
Date:
1818
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Observations on the nutritive properties of acacia-gum : known in commerce under the names of gum-arabic & gum-senegal, and on the uses to which it may be applied in tropical climates / By Richard Pearson. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    remark, however, that by this addition a compound is produced possessing a greater degree of alimentary power than an equal . i weight of gum; besides starch is cheaper than gum, and in that point of view desir¬ able. On the other hand, though life might be sustained for a time by gelatinized and exsiccated starch* alone, yet it cannot be supposed that it would answer this inten¬ tion so well singly, as in combination with gum ; which last substance, while it imparts nutriment, is further beneficial in hot cli¬ mates by its cooling and lightly astringent properties ; shewing in this respect some analogy to the juices of muco-dulcescent fruits. Let it not be objected that it is a spe¬ cies of medicated food, in consequence of the admixture of catechu, for medicinal sub¬ stances are perpetually swallowed in various * In chemical language—hydrate of starch.