Gum
a vegetable secretion, sometimes occurring in intercellular spaces, formed by the separation of the walls of cells; it is viscid, but not oily. The most typical kind of gum is GUM ARABIC (q. v.). In pharmacy gum is used as a demulcent to allay the irritation of the mucous membrane, also for suspending heavy powders, when they are given in a liquid.
The word is sometimes used synonymously with the term gumming. Gum from the spruce tree is extensively used as a confection and as a chewing-gum.
Doctor's gum is said to be furnished by Rhus metopium, a Jamaica plant, to which, as well as to some other plants, Hog gum has been attributed.