must, in either case, be somewhat bent, and accommodated to the curve of the neck.
As, however, the construction of such a crotchet requires some ingenuity; and as wires may not always be at hand, there is another more simple and expeditious method of procuring relief, by means of a small piece of dry sponge, or tough meat, which should be fastened to a fine silken or linen tape, so that after swallowing the sponge or meat, it may again be gradually extracted. Thus we have frequently seen pins, or sharp pieces of bone, removed without farther inconvenience. In order to facilitate the operation, a little lukewarm milk or water should be swallowed by the patient, before the string is withdrawn from the throat.
If, however, none of these expedients prove successful, it will be necessary either to administer an emetic, consisting of half a dram of ipecacuanha in powder, to be taken in a draught; or, if the patient be unable to swallow, to excite vomiting by stimulating his throat with a leather dipped in sweet oil;—and, if this attempt likewise be ineffectual, a clyster, made by boiling one ounce of tobacco in three quarters of a pint of water, and then straining the decoction, should be given in dangerous cases:—such an injection has often been attended with speedy vomiting, and the consequent discharge of the substance which obstructed the gullet.
After these remedies have been fairly tried, no other prospect remains of saving the patient's life, than by opening the wind-pipe, an operation which, in the hands of a skilful surgeon, is neither difficult, nor painful to the person threatened with suffocation.
GUM, a concrete vegetable juice which possesses no peculiar smell, or taste; it forms a viscid or mucilaginous solution in water, but is not acted upon either by spirits, or oils: it burns in fire without melting or inflaming, and is not dissipated by evaporation.
Gums aro divided into two classes, genuine and impure. In the former class are Gum Arabic, Gum Senega, and Gum Tragacanth; the gums of plum and cherry trees, &c. The latter are such as contain a greater or less proportion of resin.
Gum Arabic exudes from the Mimosa Nilotica, or Egyptian Acacia, which abounds in Africa; but according to Dr. Swediaur, it is chiefly obtained by boiling the roots of certain trees growing in Egypt. The best gum used in this country is of a pale yellowish colour. On account of its glutinous properties, it is preferred as a demulcent in coughs, hoarseness, and other catarrhal affections, in order to obtund or mitigate irritating acrimonious humours, and to supply the loss of abraded mucus. It has been very generally employed in stranguries, and other urinary complaints.
Gum Ammoniac. See vol. i. p. 41.
Gum Copal. See Copal.
Gum Guaiacum. See Guaiacum.
Gum Kino. See Kino.
Gum Lac. Sec Lac.
Gum Senega. See Senega.
Gum Tragacanth. See Tragacanth.
Gum Elemi exudes from the Amyris elemifera, a native of South America, whence it is imported, and sometimes also brought from the East Indies. The best sort is
