O38 ORD. XVII. Bicornes. STYRAX BENZOIN. 
which are generally in a very small quantity, into a deep yellowish 
red liquor, and in this state discovers a degree of warmth and pun- 
gency, as well as sweetness. It imparts, by digestion, to water 
also a considerable share ef its fragrance, and a slight pungency: 
the filtered liquor, gently exhaled, leaves, not a resinous or muci- 
Jaginous extract, but a crystalline matter, seemingly of a saline 
nature, amounting to one-tenth, or one-eighth, of the weight of 
the Benzoine.”' Exposed to the fire in proper vessels, it yields a 
quantity of a white saline concrete, called flores benzéos, of an 
acidulous taste, and grateful odour, soluble in rectified spirit, and 
in water by the assistance of heat. 
As.the trees, which afford the drugs benzoine and styrax, are 
congeners, and as their resinous products are very similar in their 
external appearances, and not widely different in their sensible 
qualities, it is reasonable to suppose them analogous in their medi- 
cinal effects. Benzoine, however, though rarely employed in a 
simple state, has been frequently prescribed as a pectoral; and we 
find it recommended for inveterate coughs, asthmas, obstructions 
ef the lungs, and phthisical complaints, unattended with much 
fever: it has also been used as a cosmetic, and im the way of fumi-= 
gation for the resolution of indolent tumours, Dr. Cullen, who 
classes Benzoine with the stimulants, says, “ The flowers, which js 
the only preparation employed, are manifestly a saline substance 
ef the acid kind, of considerable acrimony and stimulant power 
as I have found in every trial of them I have made. — It has been 
recommended as a pectoral, and I have employed it in some asth- 
matic cases without finding it of use; and in a dose of half a dram 
it appeared to be heating and hurtful.”" In the pharmacopeeias 
the flowers are directed in the tinctura opii camphorata, and it is 
ordered in-substance in the tinctura benzoés composita. 
1 Lewis M. M. p. 142. 
™ Mat. Med. vol. ii. p. 192.. We may also notice, that Dr. Cullen thinks “the 
benzoine is a singular composition of an acid salt with an oily and resinous sub- 
stance; but as a saline matter of the same kind is found in most of the turpentines 
aud balsams—it appears toma, that the benzoin affords an analogy for explaining 
“Se composition of all these.” 
see ee 
