BALSAMUM PERUVIANUM. -227 



been scorched and removed. From Salvador in 

 Central America. 



Characters. A reddish-brown or nearly black liquid, trans- 

 lucent in thin films ; having the consistence of syrup, a 

 balsamic odour, and an acrid slightly bitter taste ; soluble in 

 five parts of rectified spirit. Undergoes no diminution in 

 volume when mixed with water. 



Impurity. Resin, soluble in bisulphide of carbon. 



Composition. Balsam of Peru is a complex substance. The 

 greater part consist of (1) the volatile oil of Peruvian balsam, 

 which is itself composed of cinnamin (or cinnamate of benzyl- 

 ather], Ci 6 Hi 4 2 ; styracin (or cinnamate of cinnamic-cether), 

 Ci 8 H l6 3 ; peruvin (or benzyl-alcohol) , C 7 H 8 ; benzoate of 

 benzyl aether ; (2) cinnamic and benzoic acids in small quantities ; 

 and (3) a mixture of resins, probably hydrates of cinnamin. See 

 Styrax. 



Dose. 10 to 15 minims, made into an emulsion with 

 mucilage or yolk of egg. 





ACTION AND USES. 

 1. IMMEDIATE LOCAL ACTION AND USES. 



Externally. Balsam of Peru possesses the properties of its 

 several constituents benzoic acid and its allies and resins, 

 being an antiseptic and disinfectant, a vascular and nutritive 

 stimulant, and a nervine sedative. (See Terebinthince Oleum for 

 a full account, page 344.) Balsams have been used from time 

 immemorial as applications to wounds and sores, but are now 

 almost entirely displaced by simpler dressings, such as carbolic 

 acid and boracic acid. They are still used, however, to cleanse 

 bed-sores. A more important application of Peruvian balsam is 

 in certain diseases of the skin, namely, (1) in some chronic in- 

 flammatory affections (eczema) ; (2) to relieve itching, prurigo, 

 urticaria, etc., 1 in 8 of vaselin ; (3) in scabies, for which it is 

 the best of all remedies, killing the acarus, relieving the itching 

 and inflammation, and disinfecting the parts. The skin should 

 be thoroughly rubbed with it (1 drachm for the whole body) on 

 two or more occasions, a warm bath being taken before and after. 



Internally. Balsam of Peru has a mild carminative effect 

 on the stomach and bowels, like volatile oils. 



2. ACTION ON THE BLOOD, SPECIFIC AND REMOTE LOCAL ACTION 

 AND USES. 



The important changes undergone in the blood and tissues 

 by benzoic and cinnamic acids, and the excretion of these and 



