324 A COMPENDIUM OF 
It is rarely used internally, but highly recom- 
mended as a wash in inflammatory conditions of 
the mucous membrane. 
The Sweet Gum oe Styracifiua), 
which is a native of Mexico, Central America 
and the United States, and belongs to the nat- 
ural order of Hammamelacee, isvery much like 
tolu, and having the odor and taste of storax, 
may be used for the same purposes. Not offi- 
cinal. See Dispensatory, page 1686. 
Myroxylon Toluifera, The Balsam of Tolu 
Tree.—Natural order Leguminose Papilliona- 
cee. Native of South America; found grow- 
in Venezuela and New Granada. This large 
evergreen forest tree closely resembles Balsam 
Peru tree in the general character of its leaves, 
flowers and trunk, and was considered for a 
long time as identical, but Mr. Achille Rich- 
ards believes it to be a distinct species, and 
therefore decided to give it the name of Myrox- 
ylon Toluiferam, The balsam Tolu is obtained 
by making V-shaped incisions in the bark of 
the tree, and receiving the exuding juice in 
large gourds (calabash); this juice is then al- 
lowed to concrete in brownish-yellow semi- 
fluid or solid masses before it is ready for com- 
mercial purposes. Balsam Tolu has an agree- 
able, balsamic odor, an aromatic, agreeable 
taste, but becomes acrid on being held in the 
mouth for any length of time. The constitu- 
ents and adulterants of Tolu are about the same 
as the balsam Peru, though perhaps more resin 
is used in its adulteration. Toluis astimulant, 
expectorant and vulnerary, is employed in forms 
