BALSAMODKXPRON. 



li.M.SAMS 



816 



> of Peru. Two description* of thi balsam are met with, 

 both obtained from the Mine tree. M iraxylitm Ptrm/tnm : one U solid , 

 the other liquid. The finrt U the true balsamic juice in a concrete 

 tote, the bit U prepared by boiling the bark of the tree in water. The 

 olid balsam ia hard, translucent, and of a tight -ml colour. It \- 

 MM M aromatic odour and t**te, due chiefly to the practice of 

 hmiA add. The liquid InKun u of a syrupy consistence, reddish- 

 bruwn and transparent, of a powerful but pleasant odour nMmbBna 

 liquid styrax. and an iiuupportably bitter taste. It u used in medi- 

 cine and perfumery, and U often adulterated with alcohol, fixed oils 

 and balsam of ca|iiri. 



Balaam of Toftt. The concrete juice of Nymptrmum Toluiferum. It 



U a browniih yellow resinous mass, emitting a fragrant odour. It con 



UU. according to Kopp, of free eimuimir arid, a liquid hydro 



oarbun, Talen t< \,,H,) and two nwins ; Al^ha Rain has the formula 



' >.. and i brown, trannlucid, brittle, and shining. Jlrta Jlain 



,<),) u of a dull yeUowiah-brown colour. It U tasteless and 



BAUSAMODEXDRON, ilaliral uta of. Myrrh, nome of which is 

 the product of the Baltamadendron myrrha and kalof [NAT. lli~r. 

 Div.J, U a gum nin, and U met with of two aorta myrrh in tears 

 and myrrh in sort*. The smell u peculiar and disagreeable, and the 

 taste is bitter. The myrrha stacte mentioned in Kxodiu xxx. 34, was 

 esteemed the finest kind of myrrh by the ancients, being the spon- 

 taneous exudation from the plant. Myrrh in sort* is coarser and 

 frequently adulterated. The alcoholic tincture of myrrh mixed with 

 equal parts of nitric acid, become* red or violet. The tincture of the 

 false myrrh (of Bonaatre) so treated, becomes turbid and yellow, but 

 not red. 



East Indian myrrh is in large pieces, altogether opaque, frequently 

 covered with a brownish-white powder. The source of this is unknown, 

 but it is conjectured by Louriero, that a tree called Laurut myrrha, a 

 native of Cochin China, yields it. The so-called myrrh of Abyssinia, 

 which is gm opocatpanm, is yielded by the A facia gummifera (Wild.), 

 called also Ittga, Sana, and is probably a variety of the gum of Bassora 

 or Bagdad. 



A portion of myrrh brought from Arabia by Ehrenbcrg, analysed by 

 Brandos, yielded 



Resin, soluble in ether 22 



Resin, insoluble in ether 5 



Gum 54 



Bassorin 9 



Volatile oil (myrrh oil), which is heavier than 



water 2 



Traces of salts, malates, benzoates, and sulphates. 



IU specific gravity is 1-360. Water dissolves about 66 parts, one- 

 third of which is deposited upon standing. Alcohol dissolves the 

 remaining 34 parta ; but on the addition of water, it becomes opaque 

 and milky, but without any precipitate. Acetic acid and milk also 

 dissolve it. 



Myrrh, though containing a volatile oil, seems to act more from its 

 bitter qualities, which approach to the character of a stimulant tonic. 

 It increases the energy of the whole frame, giving solidity to the solids, 

 and greater consistency to the fluids. The secretions of the mucous 

 membranes particularly are improved by it, and diminished in quantity 

 when excessive. Its introduction into the stomach is followed by a 

 MOM of warmth, which diffuses itaelf over the whole abdomen. The 

 appetite U increased, and the digestive process is much facilitated, 

 especially where there is weakness and torpidity of the intestinal canal, 

 sometimes accompanied by too copious mucous secretion (constituting 

 what is termed Jiarrhira murota). 



The mucous membrane of the lungs is acted upon in the same way; 

 hence myrrh U very useful in affections of languid and feeble persons, 

 who are unable to expectorate the abundant fluids secreted by the 

 air-tubes (bronchia). For the humid and chronic cough of old people 

 it is very serviceable, especially if given along with sulphate of zinc. 

 For the cure of a cough which often occurs during pregnancy, and even 

 continues after abortion, along with oxide of zinc, it is well-suited ; as 

 well as for hysterical coughs, in which hut it may be given along with 

 cinchona bark, or preparations of iron. 



From its H earning power in the case of external ulcers, it has been 

 recommended in consumption (jihihint pulmonalit) ; but in the early 

 stages, or even the later, if there be much hectic fever, it ia quite in- 

 admissible : and when allowable, it is only useful by imparting strength 

 to expectorate, having no power to cure the disease. 



In amenorrbcca occurring in feeble persons, it is of great use, along 

 with aloetic medicines and preparations of iron. 



It U best given in substance in the greater number of cases in which 

 it can be employed ; but M a means of cleansing ulcers, as well as a 

 waoh to parta in danger of ulcerating from pressure (as in patients 

 long confined to bed, from fever, fractured limbs, or other causes), the 

 tincture is preferable. 



Myrrh is an ingredient in a great many tooth-powders. 



The produce of the HaUamodendrao Oiltadeiue, though called n 

 balsam, and denominated balsam of Mecca, balsam of Oilcad, is not 

 entitled, chemically, to rank as such, being an aim-rain. It is of two 

 kinds, that obtained by spontaneous exudation, and that which is 



obtained by boiling the branches. The former is so highly prized in 

 the East, and so exiwuaive, that it is never brought to Europe. That 

 lu. h ui ..l.t.um.l by Ixiiling U of different qualities and value, accord- 

 ing as the boiling U mntimml for a short or long time. When for a 

 short time only, the substance which floats on the surface is highly 

 esteemed, and almost all of this quality is consumed in Asiatic Turkey 

 and Egypt. The variety procured by long-continued boiling is sent to 

 Ktirope in small conical, leaden bottles, the mouth of which ia closed 

 with a leaden stopper, and covered over with bladder. The fresh 

 balsam is of moderate consistence, of a light yellow colour, odour 

 agreeable, the taste bitterish, aromatic, and heating; specific grav. 

 0-H50. When dropped upon water it spreads out into a thin film, 

 which may be skimmed off the surface with a spoon. When exposed 

 to the air for some days, it loses this property, as well aa its fine smell. 

 It has been described by Strabo (b. xrt p. 763) : " The balsam is a 

 shrub of a brambly appearance or kind, like the cytisus and terebinthus, 

 and possesses aromatic properties. They cut the bark, and catch the 

 juice that exudes in vessels ; the juice resembles oily milk. Wln-n put 

 into shells it hardens, or assumes consistence. It has wonderful 

 powers in curing headaches, incipient defluxions (he means catarrhs), 

 and dimness of the eyes: it U accordingly high-priced. The xylo- 

 balsamum is also used as an aromatic." 



Numerous fabulous statements are recorded in writers on medical 

 substances respecting this article : such, for example, aa the mode of 

 judging of its purity by dipping the finger in it, and then setting fire 

 to it, when, if it burns without causing pain, it is considered pure. 

 From its high price it is often adulterated with scsamum oil, the 

 produce of the J'inut baltamea and P. Canadentit, Chian turpentine, 

 and even tor. A portion of the purest kind, analysed by Trommsdorff, 

 yielded 



Volatile oil 30 per cent. 



Resin (with some extractive) . . 64 

 Resin, insoluble in alcohol, a small quantity. 



It burns without leaving any residuum. 



Though formerly considered a cure for many diseases, it has now 

 fallen into disuse. Any benefit which might be derived from it can 

 be obtained from any of the finer turpentines. Its heating qualities 

 render it very unfit for cases where any inflammatory action exists, 

 whether internal, as consumption, or external, as wounds. There is 

 reason to believe that many of the cordials sold under the name of 

 balms contain no portion of Mecca balsam ; but that the most cele- 

 brated of these medicines, called Solomon's Balm of Gilead, consists of 

 cardamums and brandy, which must be even more hurtful than any 

 balsam. 



BALSAMS. The substances commonly included under this title 

 are of various natures : first, there are natural balsams, exuding from 

 trees, aa those of Peru and Tolu, &c., which contain benzoic acid and 

 resin, and these only will be considered at present. There are, besides, 

 the balsams of Copaiba, Gilead, &c. ; these contain no benzoic acid, 

 but are turpentines containing a volatile oil and resin ; these will be 

 described aa turpentines. Lastly, there were in former pharmacopoeias 

 sundry very different preparations ranked together as balsam n. For 

 example, balsam of sulphur, traumatic balsam, &c. : these, when 

 retained in modern pharmacopoeias, are arranged under other forms. 



Balsams are obtained from certain vegetables, chiefly of the Legu- 

 minous or pea tribe, the Styraca* or storax tribe, and that section of 

 Amentacecc called Salirinar. Numerous substances of a resinous 

 nature were formerly designated balmna, and turpentines and balsams 

 are still popularly confounded with each other. The term balsam, 

 however, should be limited to such articles as contain benzoic add 

 along with a volatile oil and resin. The others, which contain only 

 volatile oil and resin, should be called turpentines, or oleo-resins. The 

 true balsams appear to be only five, namely, balsam of Peru and 

 balsam of Tolu (yielded by the Myrofpermum Peruiferum and M. TiJui- 

 ferum Leynminoi(t), and benzoin, from Styrax brntoin (Dryander), and 

 storax, from Styrax officinalu (Sti/racea:), and liquidainber, from the 

 Liijuitiambar Styrariftua and L. imberbit (Salicineie). 



The observations upon the medical uses of balsams are therefore to 

 be understood to apply only to those specified above. To produce 

 their characteristic effects, they must be digested and assimilated, on 

 which account they are chiefly administered internally, their external 

 application being followed by very limited action. They arc with 

 difficulty soluble in the animal juices, so that it is not till after tliry 

 have been used for some time that the secretions acquire their peculiar 

 odour. These facts, taken into consideration along with the enduring 

 nature of then- action, point out their greater fitness for chronic than 

 acute diseases. 



They may be regarded as stimulants of the secretory and excretory 

 systems, which they rouse to continued action. Their influence is 

 greatest over IIIUC-OUM membranes, the secretions from which they ren- 

 der more abundant when deficient, and more consistent when too 

 liquid and of imperfect quality. The mucous membranes of the lungs 

 and of the urinary passages seem to be more under their influence than 

 that of the intestinal canal. They possess a similar power over the 

 skin, the secretion of which they regulate according to its condition : 

 when cool, pale, dry, and in a state of atony, they promote the ]> 

 tion ; but if the weakness be so great that the skin is covered with a 



