(Myroxylon Peruiferum). _Peruvian Balsam._
QUALITIES. _Form_, a viscid liquid of a reddish brown colour. _Odour_,
fragrant and aromatic. _Taste_, hot and bitter. CHEMICAL COMPOSITION.
Resin, volatile oil, and benzoic acid; it is therefore a true _balsam:_
this term was formerly applied to every vegetable resin having a strong
scent and the fluidity of treacle, and which was supposed to possess
many medicinal virtues; it is now restricted to those resins which
contain the benzoic acid in their composition, of which there are only
three, viz. the Balsams of _Peru_, _Tolu_, and _Benzoin_. SOLUBILITY.
Water when boiled upon it dissolves only a portion of benzoic acid;
æther is its most complete solvent; alcohol dissolves it completely, but
the quantity of this menstruum must be considerable. PROPERTIES,
stimulant and tonic, on which account in certain chronic affections of
the lungs, it has been found a serviceable expectorant; Sydenham gave it
in Phthisis, but wherever any inflammatory action is to be apprehended
Dr. Fothergill wisely cautions us against its use. FORMS OF EXHIBITION.
Diffused in water by means of mucilage, or made into pills with any
vegetable powder. DOSE, gr. v to ʒj. ADULTERATIONS. A mixture of resin
and some volatile oil with benzoin, is often sold for Peruvian Balsam,
and the fraud is not easily detected, and is probably of but little
importance.