228 MATER i A ME DIG A AND THERAPEUTICS. 



of aromatic oils by the mucous membranes, kidneys, and skin, 

 are fully discussed under Benzoin, Styrax, and Terebinthina 

 Oleum. The constituents of Peruvian balsam appear chiefly to 

 affect the respiratory organs ; and it may therefore be added to 

 cough mixtures as an agreeable stimulant and disinfectant 

 expectorant in chronic bronchitis. 



Balsamum Toliitanum BALSAM OF TOLU. 

 A balsam obtained from Myroxylon Toluifera. It 

 exudes from the trunk of the tree after incisions have 

 been made into the bark. From New Granada. 



Characters. A reddish-yellow soft and tenacious solid, 

 becoming hard by keeping, with a fragrant balsamic odour ; 

 soluble in rectified spirit. 



Composition. Balsam of Tolu contains a turpentine C 10 H lfi , 

 benzoic and cinnamic acids, and various resins. 



Dose. 10 to 20 gr., as an emulsion with mucilage and 

 sugar. 



Preparations. 



1. Syrupus Tolutanus. 1 in 29. Dose, 1 to 2 fl. dr. 



2. Tinctura Tolutana. 1 in 8. Dose, 15 to 30 min. 



Balsam of Tolu is also a constituent of Tinctura Benzoin! 

 Composite. 



ACTION AND USES. 



These are the same as those of Peruvian balsam, but tolu 

 is used internally only, and chiefly as a pleasant ingredient of 

 cough mixtures. 



Pliysostigmatis Faba CALABAR BEAN. The 

 seed of Physostigma venenosum. Western Africa. 



Characters. About the size of a very large horse-bean, 

 with a very firm, hard, brittle shining integument of a 

 brownish-red, pale chocolate, or ash-grey colour. Irregularly 

 kidney-shaped, with two flat sides, and a furrow running 

 longitudinally along its convex margin, ending in an aperture 

 near one end of the seed. Within the shell is a kernel con- 

 sisting of two cotyledons, weighing on an average about 46 

 grains, hard, white, and pulverisable, of a taste like that of the 

 ordinary edible leguminous seeds, without bitterness, acrimony, 

 or aromatic flavour. It yields its virtues to alcohol, and im- 

 perfectly to water. 



