ATOPY TO ACACIA (GUM ARABIC)

Abstract

The widespread use of acacia (gum arabic) in medicine and commerce makes it of interest from the standpoint of allergy. In the present paper is reported a case of atopy to acacia which we believe is the first one to be so proved. At the same time, a general review is made of the subject of acacia from the point of view of its chemical and therapeutic interest, and its importance allergically is stressed. T. P. C., a white man, aged 53, a plaster molder in a large candy factory, admitted to the New York Hospital Allergy Clinic, Oct. 20, 1932, complained of bronchial asthma. His asthma started in July, 1931, six months after he started to work in the factory. Since that time it has been perennial, with increased severity in June and September. There has been no definite history of hay fever. The patient noticed, however, that on