BASSORA, GUM
\bˈasɔːɹə], \bˈasɔːɹə], \b_ˈa_s_ɔː_ɹ_ə]\
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A gum, obtained from a plant unknown, which came originally from the neighbourhood of Bassora, on the Gulf of Persia, whence its name. It is in irregularly shaped pieces, white or yellow, and intermediate in its transparency between gum Arabic and gum tragacanth. Only a small portion is soluble in water. The insoluble portion is a peculiar principle, called Bassorin. It is not used in medicine; but bassorin enters into the composition of several substances.
By Robley Dunglison
