NAT. ORDER. LOMENTACEiE. 29 



of a peculiar kind of volatile oil, 64 of benzoic acid, and G of ex- 

 tractive matter. 



Tola Bakam. This balsam is, as we noticed, the white balsam 

 of Peru, hardened by exposure to the atmosphere. It comes to 

 the States in gourd-shells or calabashes ; its odor is extremely fra- 

 grant, somewhat resembling that of lemons ; its taste i-s aromatic, 

 and somewhat sweetish ; it is of a reddish brown color, and of a 

 thick, tenacious consistence, becoming brittle by age. In distilla- 

 tion with water, it yields a small portion of volatile oil, and impreg- 

 nates the water with its odor : if the process be continued, a quan- 

 tity of benzoic acid sublimes. It is soluble in alcoliol and ether, 

 and also in the alkalies. From experiment we have ascertained, 

 that when dissolved in a very small quantity of the solution of po- 

 tass, its odor is lost, and it acquires the smell of the clove pink. 

 When digested in the sulphuric and nitric acids, a considerable 

 quantity of pure benzoic acid sublimes, and with the latter some 

 trace of prussic acid is also evolved. 



Medical Properties and Uses. Peruvian balsam is stimulating 

 and tonic, and has also been regarded as expectorant : hence, it 

 has been recommended as an efficacious remedy in obstinate 

 coughs, chronic asthma, and other pulmonary diseases, when at*- 

 tended with an increased secretion of the mucus ; but, from its 

 heating and stimulating qualities, it is improper in those cases 

 which are attended with inflammation. In chronic rheumatism, 

 gleets, seminal weaknesses, and leucorrhoea, as well as in some 

 cases of debility, its tonic powers appear to have proved efficacious. 

 It has been recommended to be dropped into the ear, combined 

 with ox-gall, in the proportion of one part of the former to three 

 of the latter, in foetid discharges of that organ. Formerly, it was 

 much used as a local application to foul ulcers, especially those of 

 an indolent kind ; and, in the hands of the celebrated Mr. Whately, 

 it appears to have been a very successful application. 



Peruvian balsam may be taken in doses of from thirty to sixty 



