TEREBINTHINA CANADENSIS 93 



than, the turpentines. Dose: 8 to 60 gr. (0.6 to 4 Gm.). The syrup is much 

 used in pulmonary affections. 

 OFFICIAL PREPARATIONS. 



Syrupus Picis Liquids (0.5 per cent), .... Dose: i to 4 fl. dr. (4 to 15 mils). 

 Unguentum Picis Liquids (50 per cent.). 



28 a. OLEUM PICIS LIQUIDS RECTIFICATUM. OIL OF TAR. A volatile 

 oil distilled from tar, the residue left being common pitch, pix nigra. A 

 nearly colorless liquid when first distilled, but soon acquires a dark, reddish- 

 brown color; it has the characteristic odor and taste of tar, which depends 

 upon it for its medicinal properties. Dose: i to 5 ijj (0.065 to 0.3 mil), in 

 capsules or emulsion. 



29. TEREBINTHINA CANADENSIS CANADA TURPENTINE 



CANADA BALSAM. BALSAM OP FIR 

 A liquid oleoresin obtained from A'bies balsam' ea Linn6 



HABITAT. Canada, Nova Scotia, Maine, and the mountainous regions further 

 south. 



PRODUCTION. The oleoresin is secreted in small vesicles in the bark, collected 

 by puncturing and allowing the liquid to exude into a vessel having a broad 

 and funnel-like lip. The vesicles contain only from a few minims to I fluid 

 drachm. 



DESCRIPTION OF DRUG. A yellowish or faintly greenish, transparent liquid of 

 honey-like consistence, becoming thicker and somewhat darker with age, but 

 always retaining its transparency, and ultimately drying into a transparent 

 mass ; it has an agreeable, aromatic, terebinthinate odor, and a bitterish, feebly 

 acrid, but not disagreeable taste, for which reason it is sometimes erroneously 

 called balm of Gilead (98). 



ACTION AND USES. It has medical properties similar to the other turpentines 

 and copaiba, but is rarely employed as a remedial agent. It is most valued 

 for mounting microscopic objects, for which its beautiful and durable, 

 uncrystalline transparency peculiarly fits it. 



OFFICIAL PREPARATION. 



30. PLX CANADENSIS. CANADA PITCH OR HEMLOCK PITCH. An oleoresin ob- 

 tained from the North American hemlock spruce, A'bies canaden'sis Carriere. 

 Resembles Pix Burgundica (31) in appearance, properties, and uses; it is some- 

 what darker red-brown in color and is much more fusible; odor weak, peculiar; 

 taste very feeble. Rosin is a common adulteration. 



31. PIX BURGUNDICA. BURGUNDY PITCH. The resinous exudation prepared 

 from Abies excelsa Poiret. A reddish-brown or yellowish-brown, opaque or 

 translucent solid when pure, gradually taking the form of the vessel in which 

 it is contained; brittle, breaking with a shining, conchoidal fracture; at body 

 heat it becomes soft and adhesive; odor agreeable, somewhat aromatic, 

 terebinthinate; taste aromatic and sweetish, not bitter. A mixture of common 

 pitch, rosin, and turpentine melted together and agitated with water, is often 

 substituted for Burgundy pitch, but may be detected by its insolubility in 

 warm glacial acetic acid. Terebinthina cocta, a residue from the distillation of 

 turpentine with water, and Resina pini (white turpentine), fused in hot water 

 and strained, are allied products resembling the former, but these later become 

 crystalline. Constituents: Volatile oil (smaller proportion than in turpentine), 

 water, and resin. Gentle rubefacient and stimulant, in chronic rheumatism, 

 etc., in plasters. 



Emplastrum Picis Burgundies, U.S.P. 1890. 



Emplastrum Picis Cantharidatum (92 per cent., with cerate of cantharides), 

 U.S.P. 1890. 



