vulgo, _Benjamin_.
QUALITIES. Form, brittle masses, composed of white and brownish, or
yellowish fragments; _Odour_, fragrant; _Taste_, scarcely perceptible.
When heated, it exhales benzoic acid in the form of crystals. CHEMICAL
COMPOSITION. Resin, and a large proportion of benzoic acid. SOLUBILITY.
It is readily dissolved by alcohol and æther, and is again separated
from them by water; solutions of lime, and the fixed alkalies separate
the benzoic acid from it, which can afterwards be recovered from such
solutions by the addition of an acid. USES. It is considered
expectorant, and was formerly used in asthma, and other pulmonary
affections; it has however fallen into disuse, and is now principally
employed in perfumery, and odoriferous fumigations.[427] OFFICINAL
PREPARATIONS. _Acidum Benzoicum_ L.E.D. _Tinct: Benzoini comp:_[428]
L.E.D. IMPURITIES. It is found in the market in various degrees of
purity, the best is yellowish, studded with white spots: the worst is
full of dross, and very dark or black.