□□ 
 
A BRIEF ACCOUNT 
 
 OP 
 
 THE DISCOVERY, PROPERTIES, &c. 
 
 OF 
 
 
 
 Gutta Perclia, from the moment of its introduction into 
 this country, as an article of manufacture, has excited a 
 steadily growing curiosity in the public mind to know some- 
 thing of its history, its nature and capabilities. It is now 
 felt by the American Gutta Percha Company to be time to 
 satisfy, in some degree, this curiosity. To this end the few 
 following pages will be devoted ; and in what will be said, 
 the aim will be to give a succinct and reliable account of 
 this article. 
 
 Discovery of Oiitta Percha. 
 
 Gutta Percha, like many other of the most valuable 
 substances and agents in nature, was discovered by acci- 
 dent. The merit of the discovery is due to Dr. W. Mont- 
 gomerie, of England. He received, in 1845, the gold medal 
 of the Society of Arts in London, for his valuable service in 
 introducing it to the British Public. 
 
 As far back as 1822, when on duty at Singapore as 
 assistant-surgeon to the Residency, he accidentally heard 
 the name of the substance, and was led to make some in- 
 
2 
 
 GUTTA PERCHA. 
 
 quilies concerning it ; but it was not till 1842 that be met 
 with any success. While at Singapore he observed on one 
 occasion, in the hands of a Malayan woodsman, the handle 
 of a parang made of a material quite new to him, and 
 which appeared to be very different from Caoutchouc, to 
 which his attention had hitherto been mainly directed. On 
 inquiry he found that it was made of a substance which the 
 natives called Gutta Percha. Having subjected it to expe- 
 riment, he speedily discovered many of its valuable proper- 
 ties; and at once concluded that if procurable in large 
 quantities, it would become extensively useful, and would in 
 a great degree supplant the use of Caoutchouc. This con- 
 clusion induced him to forward specimens of the Gutta 
 Percha to the Asiatic Society of Bengal, and to the Society 
 of Arts in London. 
 
 When Dr. Montgomerie made his inquiries in 1842, this 
 substance was quite unknown to the people at Malacca and 
 Sumatra. The Gutta Percha tree grows abundantly in the 
 island of Singapore and in the dense forests at the extremity 
 of the Malayan Peninsula ; also in Sarawak, and probably all 
 over the island of Borneo. The tree is one of the largest 
 found in the eastern forests : its wood is seldom used, but 
 an edible oil is procurable from the fruit, which the natives 
 use with their food. 
 
 Properties of Gutta Perclia. 
 
 The name is purely Malayan, gutta, meaning the gum 
 or concrete juice of a plant, and “ percha, the particular 
 tree from which this is procured. The ch is not pronounc- 
 ed hard like a k, but like the ch in the English name of the 
 fish, perch. Gutta Percha is imported in oblong masses, 
 which are formed by rolling thin layers of it together in a 
 soft state. As imported, oving to the careless manner in 
 
GUTTA PERCHA. 
 
 3 
 
 which it is collected, it is mixed with fragments of bark, 
 wood, leaves and other impurities ; but when pure it is in 
 thin slices, semi-transparent, excessively tough, having 
 much the appearance of horn.. 
 
 At ordinary temperatures it is non- elastic, and as hard 
 as wood. At an elevated temperature it becomes slightly 
 elastic. From 200 to 212 Fahrenheit, it is rendered ex- 
 cessively ductile, and in this condition may be worked into 
 any form, which it retains without contraction after cooling, 
 when it again acqubes its original hardness. The Gutta 
 Percha is soluble, but not by the same agents as India 
 Rubber. The fixed oils and indeed all unctuous substances 
 have no influence upon it. This property renders it very 
 valuable for purposes of machinery, where, when used for 
 driving bands, as it is most extensively, it is constantly 
 brought in contact with oils and grease. 
 
 Some have entertained the erroneous impression that 
 the Gutta Percha is quite the same as Caoutchouc, whereas 
 it differs from it in every important particular, and is capa- 
 ble of a vastly wider application in all the useful and orna- 
 mental arts. Gutta Percha will not, like Caoutchouc, after 
 being extended, return to its original size. The action of 
 boiling water upon all the specimens of India Rubber, even 
 the non- elastic varieties, is to soften the mass and to render 
 it so extremely adhesive that it is impossible to work it into 
 any permanent shape whatever. The Caoutchouc remains 
 in this viscid state for some time, when it hardens and be- 
 comes pliable. On the contrary, the Gutta Percha when 
 softened by the action of boiling water, exhibits no sticki- 
 ness, and can in this state be rolled out into the thinnest 
 sheets, and on exposure to a cooler temperature, it regains 
 its original toughness and flexibility. 
 
4 
 
 GUTTA PERCHA. 
 
 The Capabilities 
 
 Of Gutta Percha in the useful and ornamental arts are un- 
 bounded. There is no conceivable limit to its application. 
 Scarce a day elapses but some new modes of employing it 
 are discovered by those engaged in its manufacture. 
 Things of strength, things of utility, things of safety, things 
 of beauty, all come within its range. The utmost surprise 
 and gratification have been uniformly expressed by those 
 who have examined the, as yet, but partially exhibited re- 
 sult of the labors of the American Gutta Percha Company. 
 
 All concur in the opinion, that the Public may look for- 
 ward to a time not far distant, when this substance will, 
 from its cheapness, its durability, and the facility with 
 which it may be worked, vastly multiply the comforts of 
 life, and bring within the reach of the man of taste, how- 
 ever limited his means, forms of elegance and fac similes of 
 the productions of genius, which it would not otherwise be 
 possible for him to enjoy. 
 
 In addition to the numerous useful and important ap- 
 plications of the Gutta Percha, it may be manufactured by 
 “ moulding, stamping, embossing, casting, or any other 
 known process or processes, into various articles of use ; as 
 glass and picture frames, cornices, mouldings and other ar- 
 chitectural ornaments, pannelling, mosaics, <fec,” in a word, 
 it may be worked into any form, and almost any color may 
 be given, from the simplest to the most complex. Cornices 
 of the most elaborate designs, in imitation of several kinds 
 of wood, are manufactured of it ; and from the toughness of 
 the material, even the most delicate representations of foliage 
 are not liable to injury. Copies of old oak paneling taken 
 in the Gutta Percha, have preserved every trace of the 
 original ; the grain of the wood, its abrasion by age, its 
 color and pattern, and all with the utmost fidelity. Im- 
 
GUTTA PERCHA. 
 
 5 
 
 preSbions taken from coins and medallions are really beauti- 
 ful ; and statues may be copied by it witli great truth and 
 at a comparatively small cost. But fully to describe its 
 capabilities, would be to quote at length the specifications 
 of the numerous Patents by which its manufacture is gua- 
 ranteed to the American Gutta Percha Company. 
 
 Having remarked upon the discovery, the properties and 
 capabilities of Gutta Percha, it may be well to say some- 
 thing relative to the history of its introduction as an article 
 of manufacture into England and this country.. This is felt 
 to be the more necessary from the fact that attempts have 
 been made on this side of the Atlantic to mislead the Public. 
 
 Gutta Percha was first introduced, into England for 
 purposes of manufacture, by Richard. Archibald Brooman, 
 of London. To him letters Patent were granted for some 
 of its applications in 1844 and 1845. Others v/erc grant- 
 ed May 20th, 1845, to Christopher Nickles, for its ap- 
 plication to book-binding, &c. May 29th, 1845, Letters 
 Patent were granted to Charles Keene of London, for its 
 application to boots, shoes, hats and all articles of wear- 
 ing apparel. September 4th, 1846, Letters Patent were 
 granted to a Quaker of Dublin, by the name of Bewley, 
 for its application to the manufacture of flexible syringes, 
 tubes, bottles, hose and articles of a similar description. 
 Three Letters Patent, dated January 12th, 1846, May 15th, 
 1846, and February 15th, 1847, were granted to Charles 
 Hancock, of London, for the manufacture of' machine bands, 
 cords, &c. For the first two years, (1845 and 1847,) after 
 the introduction of Gutta Percha as an article of commerce 
 and manufacture, it was confined to England. This will oc- 
 casion no surprise, when we consider the shrewdness, the 
 energy and enterprise with which the article was managed 
 by the English Patentees. As soon as it was discovered 
 that Gutta Percha had any value for manufactiu ing purpo- 
 
6 
 
 GUTTA PERCHA. 
 
 ses, the Dublin Quaker and others purchased all the patents 
 in England, formed a gigantic company, enlisting in it many 
 members of the East India Company, and at once com- 
 menced the manufacture of Gutta Percha in all its branches. 
 This Company immediately applied for Letters Patent in 
 France, Germany and the United States. So that scarce 
 had the name of the article reached the public ear, before 
 a vast monopoly, with one of the richest banking houses in 
 England at its head, was formed. This rapidity of move- 
 ment and abundance of capital were necessary to secure 
 the end the Company had in view ; namely, to monopolize 
 not only the manufacture of Gutta Percha, but also the raw 
 material. For this purpose they established their agencies 
 at Singapore, and, in connection with the East India Com- 
 pany, planted them along the entire length of the Malayan 
 coast. All this was accomplished ere a word reached this 
 side of the Atlantic. To this statement there is one ex- 
 ception; for as early as May, 1846, William S. Wetmore, 
 Esq. an eminent merchant of the City of New-York, re- 
 ceived from one of his agents at Singapore a few bundles 
 of whips made by the natives of that country. Always 
 distinguished for sagacity and enterprise in his business 
 movements, this gentleman became at once exceedingly 
 anxious to know more of this substance. Himself a pioneer 
 of the island of Borneo, and well acquainted with the re- 
 sources of that and the neighboring islands, he immediately 
 ordered his agents to purchase the raw material and ship it 
 to the United States. 
 
 In the smnmer of 1846 Samuel T. Armstrong, of New- 
 York city, well known for his numerous and important con- 
 tributions to the useful arts, received from one of the Di- 
 rectors of the East India Company specimens of Gutta 
 Percha, in its crude and manufactured state, with an invita- 
 tion to visit London, for the purpose of effecting some ar- 
 
GUTTA PERCH A. 
 
 7 
 
 rangement with that Company, by which the article might 
 be introduced into the United States. Owing to engage- 
 ments entered into with the American government Mr. A. 
 could not leave for London till the month of March, 1847. 
 He arrived in England about the first of April ; visited all the 
 Gutta Percha manufactories there and on the Continent, 
 and finally made arrangements for the purchase of the pa- 
 tents granted by, or to be granted by, the United States to 
 Brooman, Hancock, Bewley, Keene and Nickle. He also 
 effected an arrangement with the mammoth manopoly in 
 London for a supply of the raw material, \vell knowing 
 that without such an arrangement it would be impossible 
 for any man, or set of men, to undertake, with a prospect 
 of success, the manufacture of Gutta Percha in this coun- 
 try. Mr. Armstrong returned to the United States in the 
 fall of 1847, and immediately applied himself to the con- 
 struction of the necessary machinery. This being accom- 
 plished, he at once began the manufacture of Gutta Per- 
 cha in all its most important branches. The first intimation 
 which reached the public of the manufacture of Gutta Per- 
 cha in the United States, was the announcement of the ar- 
 riv^al of an invoice of Gutta Percha from London, consigned 
 to S. T. Armstrong. From these facts it will be seen, that 
 Mr. A. was the earliest importer of Gutta Percha, as an 
 article of commerce and manufacture, into the port of New- 
 York, and the first manufacturer of the article in the United 
 States. The first Gutta Percha belt used in this country 
 on machinery was sold by Mr. Armstrong to Messrs. Com- 
 ing, Horner and Co. to be used on machinery run by them 
 at Sing Sing, N. Y. This Company at once saw the value 
 and superiority of the article, and, with their customary 
 promptness an business matters, immediately introduced it 
 into their factories. The bands were then introduced at the 
 Allaire works, !by James P. Allaire, one of our most enter- 
 
8 
 
 GUTTA PERCHA. 
 
 prising steainboiler manufacturers. They were next used 
 in the Secor works. The business has thus far outnm the 
 most sanguine expectations of its projector, and has ad- 
 vanced so rapidly as now to require an enlargement of 
 the original basis of operations. Its capabilities of appli- 
 cation to so many of the staple articles of our country, 
 aside from its employment in the department of the orna- 
 mental arts, gives to its manufacture an almost boundless 
 extent. Something may be judged of the truth of this 
 statement by running the eye over the following list of 
 articles, which by no means exhausts the range of Gutta 
 Percha : 
 
 Machine Belts and Bauds, 
 
 Gas Pipes and Water Pipes, 
 Speaking Pipes, 
 
 The Insulating of Telegraph 
 Wires, 
 
 Saddles and Harness of all kinds, 
 Trays, Fancy Boxes, Tables, 
 Pumps, Boxes, and Valves, 
 Book-binding, Vellum, Balls, 
 Water-Proof Roofing, 
 
 Inkstands, Drinking-cups, 
 
 Canes, Whips, Flasks, 
 
 Hats, Caps, Boots, Shoes, 
 Clothing, Decorations for Houses 
 and Ship Cabins, 
 
 Chairs, Lining for Bread Casks 
 for sea voyages. 
 
 Air-tight Coffins, 
 
 Linings for Water Tanks, 
 
 Powder Kegs, for the transporta- 
 tion of Powder in water. 
 
 Soda Fountains, Gasometers, 
 Bottles, Pictures, and Looking- 
 glass Frames. 
 
 It also recommends itself to the attention of the medical 
 faculty ; and as scientific persons give the subject the atten- 
 tion that humanity demands, it will be found to possess 
 •valuable properties, superior for many purposes to any other 
 substance. It has already been approved for bougies, ca- 
 theters, stethoscopes, nipple-shells, bandages, and splints. 
 This latter article is invaluable from the facility with which 
 it adapts itself, when made plastic in boiling water, to the 
 
GUTTA TERCHA. 
 
 9 
 
 form of the limb ; for preserving the strength of medicines 
 of a volatile nature, and in the application of galvanism or 
 electricity to the healing art, it can be made a valuable agent, 
 being a perfect non-conductor. For marine and national 
 purposes, the field is most extensive ; as an inside sheathing 
 for ships, for buoys, and beacons, it is supposed to resist for 
 all time the vermin that is so destructive in southern wa- 
 ters. Army and navy equipments, canvass, deck covers, car- 
 covers, sails and rigging, are rendered impervious to water 
 and dampness, preventing mildew and rot. It is of a light co- 
 lor, and not injured by climate or a tropical sun. For cannon 
 covers, water tanks, life-boats, and many other applications, 
 it is destined to supercede metal and India Rubber. It will 
 also be found superior to glue in its adhesive properties, 
 and to the gums generally, as a basis for various varnishes, 
 sizings and paints, being weather-proof and not liable to 
 crack. 
 
 The manufacture of all these and similar articles is 
 covered by Letters Patent, granted by the government of the 
 United States. The business is carried on by S. T. Arm- 
 strong, Esq. under the name of the American Gutta Percha, 
 Company. The capital already invested, though amounting 
 to nearly fifty thousand dollars, is far from being adequate. 
 It will be increased during the present season to one hun- 
 dred and fifty or two hundred thousand dollars ; and then 
 it will be insufficient to meet the growing demand for Guttii 
 Percha goods. Nothing short of the establishment of fac- 
 tories in every state, similar to the one now in operation, can 
 meet its demand. 
 
 There can be no doubt but its introduction into this 
 country ought to be regarded as a boon of the highest value, 
 for it will most eflectually aid in the promotion of many of 
 the arts of utility, and contribute i:i no small degree to the 
 advancement of those which are from their refined eharac- 
 
10 
 
 GUTTA PERCHA. 
 
 ter to be ranked among the intellectual manifestations of the 
 age. Liebig has said, that the rapid advance of organic 
 chemistry has been due to the introduction of sheet Car 
 outchouc. If so, why may not it and other sciences be ad- 
 vanced by the use of material which is, in many respects, 
 superior to India Rubber, and which can be employed where 
 that fails. 
 
 EXTRACTS FROM SILLIMANS’ JOURNAL, 
 
 Gutta Percha ; by Thomas Oxley, Esq. A. B. Senior 
 Surgeon of the Settlement of Prince of Wales’ Island, Sin- 
 gapore, and Malacca, (Journ. Ind. Archip., Singapore, No. 
 I, 1847, p. 22.) — The gutta percha tree, or gutta tiiban as 
 it ought more properly to be called, — the percha producing 
 a spurious article, — belongs to the natural family Sapoteae, 
 but differs so much from all described genera, having alli- 
 ance with both Achras and Bassia, but differing in some 
 essentials from both, that I am disposed to think it is enti- 
 tled to rank as a new genus. I shall therefore endeavor to 
 give its general character, leaving the honor of naming it 
 to some more competent botanist, especially as I have not 
 quite satisfied myself regarding the stamens from want of 
 specimens for observations. 
 
 The tree is of large size, from sixty to seventy feet in 
 height, and from two to three feet in diameter. Its general 
 appearance resembles the genus Durio, or well known Doo- 
 lian, so much so as to strike the most superficial observer. 
 The under surface of the leaf, however, is of a more reddish 
 and decided brown than in the Durio, and the shape is 
 somewhat different. The ffowers are axillary, from one to 
 three in the axils, supported on sho't curved pedicles, and 
 
GUTTA PERCHA, 
 
 11 
 
 numerous along the extremities of the branches. Calj-x-, 
 inferior, persistent, coriaceous, of a brown color, divided into 
 six sepals which are arranged in double series. Corolla, 
 monopetalous hypogenous, divided like the calyx into six 
 acuminate segments. Stamens, inserted in the throat of the 
 corolla, in a single series, variable in number, but, to the 
 best of my observation, the normal number is twelve, most 
 generally all fertile, anthers supported on slender bent fila- 
 ments, opening by two lateral pores. Ovary, superior, ter- 
 minated by a long simple style, six celled, each cell contain- 
 ing one seed. Leaves about four inches in length, perfect, 
 entire, of a coriaceous consistence, alternate, obovate lance- 
 olate, upper surface of a pale green, under surface covered 
 with close, short, reddish brown hairs. Midrib projects a 
 little, forming a small process or beak. 
 
 Every exertion of myself and several others have failed 
 in procuring a specimen of the fruit of the gutta, I regret 
 being compelled to omit the description of it in the present 
 instance, but hope to rectify this omissioii in some future 
 number of the Journal. It is quite extraordinary how diffi- 
 cult it is to obtain specimens of either the flow'er or fruit of 
 this tree, and this is probably the reason of its not having 
 been earlier recognized and described by some of the many 
 botanists who have visited these parts. 
 
 Only a short time ago the tiiban tree was tolerably 
 abundant on the Island of Singapore, but already all the 
 large timber has been felled, and few, if any, other than 
 small plants are now to be found. The range of its growth,, 
 however, appears to be considerable ; it being found up all 
 the Malayan Peninsula as far as Penang, where I have as- 
 certained it to be abundant ; although as yet the inliabitants 
 do not seem to be aware of the fact : several of the mer- 
 cantile houses there having sent down orders to Singapore 
 for supplies of the article, when they have the me*ans of 
 
12 
 
 GUTTA PERCHA. 
 
 supply close at hand. The tree is also found in Borneo, 
 ' and I have little doubt it is to be found in most of the Islands 
 adjacent. 
 
 The localities it particularly likes arc the alluvial tracts 
 along the foot of hills, Avhere it flourishes luxuriantly, form- 
 ing, in many spots, the principal portion of the jungle. But 
 notwithstanding the indigenous character of the tree, its ap- 
 parent abundance, and wide spread diffusion, the gutta will 
 goon become a very scarce article, if some more provident 
 means be not adopted in its collection than that at present 
 in use by the Malays and Chinese. 
 
 The mode in which the natives obtain the gutta is by 
 cutting down the trees of full grow'th and ringing the bark 
 at distances of about twelve to eighteen inches apart, and 
 placing a cocoanut shell, spathe of a palm, or such like re- 
 ceptacle, under the fallen trunk to receive the milky sap 
 that immediately exudes upon every fresh incision. This 
 sap is collected in bamboos, taken to their houses, and boiled 
 in order to drive off the watery particles and inspissate it to 
 the consistence it finally assumes. Although the process of 
 boiling appears necessary when the gutta is collected in 
 large quantity, if a tree be freshly wounded, a small quan- 
 ’ tity allowed to exude, and it be collected and moulded in 
 the hand, it wall consolidate perfectly in a few minutes, and 
 have all the appearance of the prepared article. 
 
 When it is quite pure the color is of a greyish white, but 
 as brought to market it is more ordinarily found of a red- 
 dish hue, arising from chips of bark that fall into the sap 
 in the act of making the incisions, and which yield their 
 color to it. Besides the accidental chips, there is a great 
 (leal of intentional adulteration by sawdust and other ma- 
 terials. Some specimens I have lately seen brought to mar- 
 ket, could not have contained much less than one-fourth 
 of impurities ; and even in the purest specimens I could 
 
GUTTA PERCHA. 
 
 13 
 
 obtain for surgical purposes, one pound of tlie substance 
 yielded, on being cleaned, one ounce of impurities. Fortu- 
 nately it is neither difficult to detect or clean the gutta of 
 foreign matter ; it being only necessary to boil it in water, 
 until well softened, roll out the substance into thin sheets, 
 and then pick out all impurities, which is easily done, as the 
 gutta does not adhere to any thing, and all foreign matter 
 is merely entangled in its fibres, not incorporated in its sub- 
 stance. The quantity of solid gutta obtained from each 
 tree varies from five to twenty catties,* so that, taking the 
 average at ten catties, which is a tolerably liberal one, it 
 will require the destruction of ten trees to produce one pi- 
 cul. t Now the quantity exported from Singapore to Great 
 Britain and the continent from 1st January, 1845, to the 
 present date, amounts to 6,918 piculs, to obtain which, 
 sixty-nine thousand one hundred and eighty trees must have 
 been sacrificed. How much better would it therefore be to 
 adopt the method of tapping the tree, practiced by the Bur- 
 mese in obtaining the Caoutchouc from the Ficus elastica, 
 (viz. to make oblique incisions in the bark, placing theb am- 
 boos to receive the sap, which runs out freely,) than to kill 
 the goose in the manner they are at present doing. True, 
 they would not at first get so much from a single tree, but 
 the ultimate gain would be incalculable, particularly as the 
 tree appears to be one of slow growth, by no means so 
 rapid as the Ficus elastica. J 
 
 Properties of the Gutta . — This substance when fresh 
 and pure is, as already mentioned, of a dirty white color 
 
 * A Cattie is one and one-third pounds. 
 
 t A Pical weighs 1334 pounds, or 100 catties. 
 
 t The English company have employed agents to instruct the 
 natives as to the best method of collecting the sap, and we are 
 told that the practice of cutting down the treea has been generally 
 abandoned. 
 
14 
 
 GUTTA PERCHA. 
 
 and a greasy feel, with a peculiar leathery smell. It is not 
 affected by boiling^ alcohol, but dissolves readily in boiling 
 spirits of turpentine, also in naptha and coal tar. A good 
 cement for luting bottles and other purposes is formed by 
 boiling together equal parts of gutta, coal tar and resin. I 
 am indebted for this hint to Mr. Little, surgeon, and the 
 above were his proportions. I have, however, found it ne- 
 cessary to put two parts of the gutta, that is one-half in- ^ 
 stead of one-third, to enable the cement to stand the heat 
 of this climate. When required for use it can always be 
 made plastic by putting the pot containing it over the fire 
 for a few minutes. Tlie gutta itself is highly inflammable, a 
 strip cut off takes light, and bums with a bright flame, 
 emitting sparks, and dropping a black residuum in the man- 
 ner of scaling wax, which in its combustion it very much 
 resembles. But the great peculiarity of this substance, and 
 that which makes it so eminently useful for many purposes, 
 is the effect of boiling w'ater upon it. When immersed for 
 a few minutes in water above 150® Fah., it becomes soft 
 and plastic, so as to be capable of being moulded to any 
 required shape or form, which it retains upon cooling. If a 
 strip of it be cut off and plunged into boiling water, it con- 
 tracts in size both in length and breadth. This is a veiy 
 anomalous and remarkable phenomenon, apparently opposed 
 to all the laws of heat. 
 
 It is this plasticity when plunged into boiling water that 
 has allowed of its being applied to so many useful purpo- 
 ses, and which first induced some Malays to fabricate ■it 
 into whips, which were brought into town and led to ite 
 farther notice. The natives have subsequently extended 
 their manufactures to buckets, basins and jugs, shoes, tra- 
 ces, vessels for cooling wine, and several other domestic 
 uses ; but the number of patents lately taken out for the 
 manufacture of the article in England proves how much at- 
 
GUTTA PERCHA. 
 
 15 
 
 tention it has already attracted, and how extensively useful 
 it is likely to become. Of all the purposes, however, to 
 which it may be adapted, none is so valuable as its appli- 
 cability to the practice of surgery. Here it becomes one of 
 the most useful auxiliaries to that branch of the healing art, 
 which of all is the least conjectural. Its easy plasticity and 
 power of retaining any shape given to it when cool, at once 
 pointed it out as suitable for the manufacture of Bougies, 
 and accordingly my predecessor. Dr. W. Montgomerie, 
 availed himself of this, made several of the above instni- 
 ments, and recommended the use of it to the Bengal Medi- 
 cal Board. But, like many other good hints, for want of 
 sufficient inquiry, I fear it was disregarded. The practice, 
 however, has been continued by me, and I find many ad- 
 vantages in the use of this substance. It also answers very 
 well for the tubes of syringes, which are always getting out 
 of order in this country when made of Caoutchouc. But 
 my late experiments have given it a much higher value, and 
 proved it the best and easiest application ever yet discover- 
 ed in the management of fractures, combining ease and 
 comfort to the patient, and very much lessening the trouble 
 of the surgeon. When I think of the farago of bandages 
 and splints got rid of, the lightness and simplicity of the 
 application, the gutta would be no trifling boon to mankind 
 were it to be used solely for this and no other purpose. 
 The injuries coming under my observation, wherein I have 
 tested its utility, have, as yet, only been two compound 
 fractures of the leg, and one of the jaw. But so admirably 
 has it not only answered, but exceeded my expectations, 
 that I should think myself culpable in not giving the facts 
 early publicity. Its utility in fracture of the lower jaw 
 must at once strike any surgeon. So well does it mould 
 itself to every sinuosity, that it is more like giving the pa-t 
 tient a new bone than a mere support. A man lately 
 
16 
 
 GUTTA PERCHA. 
 
 brought into the hospital, who had his lower jaw broken by 
 the kick of a horse, and which was so severe as to cause 
 hemorrhage from the ears, smashing the bone into several 
 fragments, was able to eat and speak in three days after 
 the accident, and felt so well with his gutta splint that he 
 insisted on leaving the hospital within ten days. My mode 
 of applying this substance to the fracture of the leg is as 
 follows : 
 
 The gutta having been previously rolled out into sheets 
 of convenient size, and about one-fourth of an inch in thick- 
 ness, is thus kept ready for use. When required, a piece of 
 the necessary length and breadth is plunged into a tub of 
 boiling water. The limb of the patient is then gently raised 
 by assistants, making extension in the usual manner. The 
 surgeon, having ascertained that the broken bone is in its 
 place, takes the sheet of gutta out of the hot water, and al- 
 lows it to cool for a couple of minutes. It is still soft and 
 pliable as wash leather. Place it whilst in this state under 
 the limb, and gently lower the latter down on it. The gut- 
 ta is then to be brought round and moulded carefully to the 
 whole of the back and sides of the leg, bringing the edges 
 close together, but -not uniting them. If there be any super- 
 fluous substance it ean be cut off with a scissors, leaving an 
 open slit down the front of the leg. You have now the leg in 
 a comfortable, soft, and smooth case, which, in ten minutes, 
 will be stiff enough to retain any shape the surgeon may have 
 given it, and which will also retain the bone in place. Place 
 the leg so done up on a double inclined plane, and secure 
 it thereto by passing three of the common loop bandages 
 around the whole, — that is, one at the top, one in the mid- 
 dle, and one at the lower end. Let the foot be supported 
 by a foot board, and a case of gutta put over the dorsum 
 of the foot, to bear off the pressure of the small bandages 
 generally used to secure it to the board. Having done this, 
 
GUTTA PERCHA. 
 
 IV 
 
 the surgeon need not cause his patient another tAvinge of 
 pain until he thinks he can use the leg, or he deems the 
 bone sufficiently united to bear the weight of his patient. 
 If it be a compound fracture it will only be necessary to 
 unite the loop, bandages, separate the edges of the gutta 
 splint to the required distance, wash and cleanse the limb 
 without shifting any thing except the dressings, and having 
 done so, shut it up again. The most perfect cleanliness can 
 be maintained, as the gutta is not affected by any amount 
 of ablution ; neither is it soiled or rendered offensive by any 
 discharge, all which washes off as easily from the gutta 
 case as from oil cloth. I have had a patient Avhere the tibia 
 protruded through the integuments fully two inches, walk- 
 ing about in six weeks from the injury, with the leg as 
 straight and well formed as it ever had been. It is quite 
 obvious therefore that if it answers so Avell for compound, it 
 will answer equally, if not better, for simple fractures ; and 
 that any broken bone capable of receiving mechanical sup- 
 port can be supported by the gutta better than by any 
 other contrivance. For it combines lightness and smooth- 
 ness, durability and a capability of adjustment, not possessed 
 by any other known substance. All new experiments have 
 to run the gauntlet of opposition, and I do not suppose that 
 these recommendations will prove an exception to the rule ; 
 but all I ask of any surgeon is to try the experiment ere he 
 argues on its propriety, and I feel fully convinced that all 
 other splints and bandages will be consigned to the tomb 
 of the capulets. There are some other uses for Avhich I have 
 tried this substance, viz. as capsules for the transmission 
 of the vaccine virus, which ought to keep well when thus 
 protected, for it is most perfectly and hermetically sealed. 
 But I have not had sufficient experience in this mode of 
 using it to pronounce decidedly on its merits. I am at pre- 
 sent trying the effects of it on ulcers, by enclosing the nice- 
 
18 
 
 GUTTA PERCHA. 
 
 rated limb in a case of gutta so as to exclude all atmos- 
 pheric air, and, so far the experiment promises success. 
 
 Since writing the foregoing observations I have had an 
 official intimation from Penang of the vaccine virus trans- 
 mitted in the gutta capsules having been received in good 
 order, and of its having succeeded most satisfactoril3\ I 
 have also opened a capsule containing a vaccine crust that 
 had been kept here for one month, and it also seems to 
 have lost none of its efficacy, as the case inoculated has 
 taken. This will appear the more striking when it is recol- 
 lected that to preserve the vaccine virus hitherto in Singa- 
 pore, even for a few days, has been almost impossible, — that 
 this settlement, notwithstanding every exertion on the part 
 of both private and public practitioners, has been without 
 the benefit of this important prophylactic for an interval 
 sometimes of two years, — and that, at all times, the obtain- 
 ing and transmitting this desirable remedy has been a cause 
 of trouble and difficulty to all the medical officers I have 
 ever met with in the straits. ' 
 
 “ The interesting electrical property of Gutta Percha, 
 first noticed by Faraday, is truly wonderful. 
 
 “ A piece of the manufactured thin sheet gum cannot 
 be taken from a paper in which it has been wrapped, with- 
 out exhibiting this remarkable property, and by gentle fric- 
 tion with a silk handkerchief a spark is readily obtained 
 from it of an inch in length. 
 
 From the excellent non-conducting power of Gutta 
 Percha, it is likely to come into extensive use in the manu- 
 facture of electrical apparatus, and it has already been em- 
 ployed to some extent for insulating the wires of the elec- 
 tric magnetic telegraph.”’ 
 
From the Albion of September, 1848 . 
 
 GUTTA PERCHA. 
 
 At the meeting aboTe alluded to, Mr. Whishaw read a paper giving an ex- 
 planation of the various applications of Gutta Percha ; numerous specimens 
 of which, in the shape of thread, cord, tabular staves, driving bands, constables’ 
 staves, sticks, M'hips, inkstands, medallions, shields, water buckets, stereotype 
 plates, and almost every other description of article, both useful and ornamental, 
 were pi-esent. The paper, after stating that gutta percha was the concrete juice 
 of a large tree of the same name, abounding in Borneo, &c. obtained by tapping 
 the tree periodically by the Malays, stated that its introduction into this country 
 was purely accidental ; Dr. Montgomery having transmitted the first sample of it 
 to the Society of Arts, in 1843, at which time he (Mr. Whishaw) was secretary to 
 that Society. The first articles of use made of guita percha in this country were 
 laid before the Society of Arts in 1844, and consisted of a lathe-band, a short length 
 of pipe, and a bottle-case, which he had himself made by hand, having caused 
 the concrete substance to become sufficiently plastic by immersing.it in hot wa- 
 ter. He also produced casts from medals, which attracted considerable atten- 
 tion at the time, and surgical insti’uments were soon after made of this new ma- 
 terial. It was also adapted to commercial uses ; and from the period mentioned 
 to July 11, in the present year, between 600 and 700 tons had been imported for 
 the Gutta Percha Company. From 20 to 60 tons were now regularly imported 
 every month. Contrary to the general opinion that gutta percha is a simple, hy- 
 drogenous substance, Mr. Crane (chemist to the Gutta Percha Company) found 
 it in its ordinary state to consist of at least two distinct materials, besides a nota- 
 ble proportion of sulphur — viz. 1. A white matter, gutta percha in its pure state ; 
 2. A substance of a dark brown color. Various experiments were made to as- 
 certain its strength when mixed with other matters, and also as to what pig- 
 ments would mix with it without rendering it brittle or deteriorating its quali- 
 ties. From these it appeared that the only pigments that could altogether be re- 
 lied on to use with gutta percha were oi-ange lead, rose pink, red lead, vermilion. 
 Dutch pink, yellow ochre, and orange chrome. Under the influence of heat and 
 pressure, gutta percha would spread to a certain extent, and more so if mixed 
 with foreign matters. All the mixtures composed of gutta percha and other sub- 
 stances which had been subjected to experiment, except that containing plum- 
 bago, were found to increase its power of conducting heat ; biit in its pure state, 
 gutta percha was an excellent non-conductor of electricity. The best composi- 
 tion for increasing the pliability of gutta percha was that formed in conjunction 
 with caoutchouc tar, and next in order that of its own tar ; and the best material 
 at present known for moulding and embodying was obtained by mixing gutta 
 percha with its own tar and lamp-black. In describing the process of manufac- 
 turing gutta percha the author observed that rude blocks of the material were 
 first cut into slices, by means of a cutting machine formed of a circular iron 
 plate of about five feet in diameter, in which there are three radical slots fur- 
 nished with as many knives or blades. The blocks are placed in an inclined 
 shoot, so as to present one end to the operation of the cutters. The slices are 
 then placed in a wooden tank, containing hot water, in which they are left to 
 soak until found in a plastic state. They are afterwards passed through a minc- 
 ing cylinder, similar to that used in paper mills for the conversion of rags into 
 pulp, and then thoroughly cleansed in cold water tanks ; the water, in cases of 
 impure gutta percha, being mixed with a solution of common soda or chloride 
 of lime. It is next put into a masticating machine, such as is.used in the manu- 
 
<h .. 
 
 'I 
 
 20 
 
 GUTTA PERCHA. 
 
 facture of caoutchouc, and then pressed through rollers ; thus being converted 
 into sheets of various width and thickness. When necessary, the sheets are 
 again masticated, and again passed through rollers. These sheets are subse- 
 quently cut into boards by vertical knives, placed at the further end of the table, 
 along which the sheets are carried by a cloth or web to another roller, round 
 which they pass and are cut into the required widths. The bands or straps are 
 then removed, and coiled up ready for use. Driving bands for machinery are 
 thus made, and shoe soles and heels are stamped out of similar sheets of gutta 
 percha. In making tubes or pipes, of gutta percha or any of its compounds, a 
 mass of gutta percha, after being thoroughly masticated, is placed in a metal cy- 
 linder furnished with a similar piston, by which it is pressed down into an air- 
 box, kept hot with steam, which has at its lower end a number of perforations, 
 through which the plastic material is forced into a cup, whence it passes out, 
 round a core, into the desired tubular form, and thence through a gauge to the 
 required size, and into a receiver of cold water, being drawn to the other end 
 of a long trough by a cord passing round a pulley at the far end of the trough, 
 and returning to the person in attendance on the machine, who gradually draws 
 the pipe away from the air machine. Thus tubes of considerable length and 
 diameter are made to a very great extent, and are used for the conveyance of 
 watefand other liquids, and are now under test for the conveyance of gas. The 
 paper next explained the variety of articles already made of gutta percha, which 
 weie of three classes— 1. Useful; 2. Ornamental; and 3. Useful and Ornamen- 
 tal combined. Various articles were then exhibited, including two very hand- 
 some shields, and a splendid Communion Dish and Service. Mr. Whishaw next 
 exhibited the Telakouphanon, or Speaking Trumpet ; and in doing so, said that 
 speaking tubes of gutta percha were quite new, as was also the means of calling 
 attention by them of the person at a distance, which was accomplished by the 
 insertion of a whistle, which, being blown, sounded at the other end quite 
 shrilly. Attention having been thus obtained, you remove the whistle, and by 
 simply whispering, the voice would be conveyed quite audibly for a distance of 
 at least three quarters of a mile, and a conversation kept up. It must be obvious 
 how useful these telegraphs must become in large manufactories : and indeed in 
 private houses they might quite supersede the use of bells, as they were so very 
 cheap, and by branch pipes could be conveyed to different rooms : and, indeed, 
 if there were no electric telegraphs, they might, by a person being stationed at 
 the end of each tube of three quarters of a mile, or a mile, be made most speedi- 
 ly to convey intelligence for any distance. In private houses the whistle need 
 not be used, but a more musical sound could be produced. He then amused the 
 auditors by causing the end of the tube, which was of the length of 100 feet, to 
 be inserted into the mouth-piece of a flute held in a person’s hand, regulated the 
 notes, and placing his own mouth to the other end of the tube, “ God save the 
 Queen” was played at a distance of 100 feet from the person giving the flute 
 breath. Turning to the Bishop of St. David’s, he said that in the event of a cler- 
 gyman having three livings, he might, by the aid of three of these tubes, preach 
 the same sermon in three difierent churches at the same time. Mr. Whishaw 
 also exhibited the gutta percha submarine rope or telegraph, which consisted of 
 a tube, perforated with a series of small tubes, for the conveyance of telegraphic 
 wire, and which, for the purpose of preventing its being acted upon by sea water 
 or marine insects, was banded or braided round by a small rope, and its being 
 perfectly air-tight would render it quite impervious to the atmosphere. 
 
'J ■' » 
 
 rne GETTY CENTER 
 ' 'RRARY 
 
OF 
 
 THE AMERICAN GUTTA PERCHA COMPANY, 
 
 IS LOCATED IN 
 
 WATER-STREET, BROOKLYN, LONG ISLAND, 
 
 A FEW RODS EAST OF THE FULTON FERRY. 
 
 The Company are now manufacturing under their various 
 Patents, and offer for sale at 
 
 No. 189 WILLIAM-STREET, WASHINGTON ^STORES, 
 
 Patent Machine Bands and Driving Belts, Patent Round 
 Bands for Lathes, Croton Hose and Water Pipes, 
 
 Gas Pipes, Shoe Soles, Valves, Boot 
 Shanks, Car Covers. Washers, 
 
 Surgical Instruments, 
 d&c* d&c* 
 
 PURE GUTTA PERCHA IN SHEETS FOR SURGICAL PURPOSES. 
 
 ALSO, FOR SALE TO CONSUMERS, 
 
 30,000 POUNDS GUTTA PERCHA, PURE;( 
 
 With rights to manufacture under the Company’s Patents, 
 and on liberal conditions. 
 
 Apply to 
 
 S. T. ARMSTRONG. 
 
 ICT The above articles are also to be had of the Company’s 
 Agents in the principal cities.