374 VEGETABLE DRUGS 



Olei cadlni gi. 



Alcoholis. 



Sapo. mollis aa oiv. 



M. 



Sig. Apply externally with brush. 



Oil of cade can also be used in any proportion or manner in which 

 tar is applicable. Pitch likewise possesses the same action as tar, and is 

 sometimes employed for making hoof ointments and plasters. 



Internally. — Tar — on account of its constituents, phenol and creosote 

 — in large quantities- causes toxic effects, with symptoms resembling car- 

 bolic acid poisoning: e.g., abdominal pain, vertigo, signs of gastro-intes- 

 tinal irritation, and the passage of dark-colored urine. It is not exceed- 

 ingly poisonous, however, as recovery has been reported in man after 

 the ingestion of an amount varying from one to two pints. Tar is elimi- 

 nated by the kidneys, with the production of irritation and diuresis ; also 

 by the mucous membrane, and affects more especially that lining the 

 bronchial tubes, where it acts as a local stimulant and antiseptic. For 

 this reason the drug is an excellent expectorant in subacute or chronic 

 bronchitis when given internally or by inhalation. The latter process 

 may be conducted by pouring tar on a heated shovel, or, better, by dis- 

 solving tar in boiling sodium carbonate solution and steaming the patient 

 with the vapor. Tar is occasionally exhibited in chronic gastro-intestinal 

 catarrh and obstinate diarrhea, with good results. 



Tar is of value internally in influencing those skin disorders which 

 are benefited by its external application. Inhalations of tar are sometimes 

 serviceable in pharyngitis and laryngitis, as well as in bronchitis. 



Balsamum Peruvianum. Balsam of Peru. (U. S. & B. P.) 



A balsam obtained from Toluifera Pereirae (Royle) BaiUon (Fam. Legumi- 

 nosae). 



Synonym. — Balsamum peruvianum nigrum, balsam indicum, baurae de P6ro, 

 baume des Indes, Fr.; Peru balsam, G. 



Habitat.- — Central America. 



Properties. — A viscid liquid of a dark brown color; free from stringiness or 

 stickiness; transparent and reddish-brown in thin layers; of an agreeable vanilla- 

 like odor and a bitter acrid taste, with a persistent after-taste. When swallowed 

 it leaves a burning sensation in the throat. It does not harden on exposure to 

 the air. Spec. gr. 1.130 to 1.160. Soluble in alcohol, chloroform, or glacial acetic 

 acid. Completely soluble in 5 parts of alcohol. 



Constituents. — 1, a volatile oil, yielding cinnamein, C„H,(C7H,)02, about 60 

 per cent.; 2, cinnamic acid, CjHsOj; 3, a resin (82 per cent.), yielding benzoic 

 acid, HCjHsOj on dry distillation; 4, styrol, CgHg; 5, stilbene, CuHij; 6, a volatile 

 oil, benzylic benzoate, C,Hb (C7H,)02; 7, benzylic alcohol, CiHsO; 8, styracin, 



C(,H7 (C9H6)02. 



Dose.— H. & C, §i-ii, (30-60) ; Sh. & Sw., 3i-ii, (4-8) ; D., ITlx-xxx, (.6-2). 

 Balsamum Tolutanum. Balsam of Tolu. (U. S. & B. P.) 



A balsam obtained from Toluifera Balsamum LinnS (Fam. Leguminosae). 



Synonym.— Bamne de Tolu, baume de CathagSne, Fr. ; Tolubalsam, G. 



Habitat. — New Granada and Venezuela. 



Properties. — A yellowish-brown, or brown, plastic solid, becoming brittle when 

 old, dried or exposed to the cold; transparent in thin layers; has a pleasant 

 aromatic odor, resembling that of vanilla, and a mild aromatic taste. Soluble 

 in alcohol, ether, chloroform and solutions of fixed alkalies; almost insoluble in 

 water. 



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