94 MATERIA MEDICA. 



Efects. — Similar to those ©f assafoetida, and the other fetid gum- 

 resins. Used chiefly as a stimulant expectorant, in chronic enfeebled 

 cases. Dose, 10 to 30 grains. 



Pillula, Scillce Compositcz, (U. S.) — Contain squill, ammoniac, 

 ginger, and soap; dose, 5 to 10 grains, several times a day. 



Externally applied, ammoniac causes irritation of the skin. Used 

 sometimes as a plaster. 



Balsam of Tolu. — (Tolutanum, U. S.) 



Product of the Myrospermum Toluiferum^ or Mijroxylon Thluife- 

 rum, growing in S. America. — Procured by making incisions into the 

 tree. When first procured, it is of a soft tenacious consistence, but 

 becomes hard and darker by exposure ; odour very fragrant ; taste, 

 pleasant and sweetish; inflames by heat ; soluble in alcohol, ether and 

 the fixed oils ; boiling water extracts its benzoic acid ; chemically, it 

 consists of benzoic acid, volatile oil, and resin. The acid may be 

 separated by sublimation. It is used in making the paregoric elixir. 



Effects. — A stimulant expectorant; used in chronic pulmonary 

 complaints; a pleasant adjuvant to cough mixtures; dose, 10 to 30 

 grs. The tincture and syrup are officinal ; the latter used to flavour 

 cough mixtures. 



Balsam of Peru. — (Myroxylon, U. S.) 



Product of the Myroxylon Peruiferum, or Myrospermum Peru- 

 iferum, growing in S. America. — Believed to be procured by boiling 

 the young branches ; supposed by some, that both the balsams are 

 the product of the same tree, one being obtained by exudation, the 

 other by decoction. A thick viscid fluid, resembling molasses; 

 colour, dark reddish-brown ; odour fragrant, less pleasant than that 

 of Tolu ; taste, warm, bitter, and pungent ; inflammable ; yields its 

 benzoic acid to boiling water; chemical composition, the same as 

 that of Tolu. 



Effects. — A warm stimulating expectorant and tonic, adapted to 

 the same cases as the preceding ; used sometimes externally to indo- 

 lent ulcers. Dose, f 3ss. 



CLASSXL— EMMENAGOGUES. 



" Medicines which promote the menstrual discharge." It is ques- 

 tionable whether there are any medicines which specifically affect 

 the uterus ; most of them seeming to act by contiguous sympathy. 

 As amenorrhoea is sometimes a primary disease, and sometimes the 

 result of other causes, the treatment must, in the first place, be 

 directed to the restoration of the constitution to a natural state : in 

 plethoric cases, depletion will be required ; in the relaxed, a tonic 

 course. Emmenagogues are usually most efficient, when given just 

 before the expected period of the discharge. 



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