166 
MYROXYLON PERUIFERUM. 
an egg ; the mucilage is neither precipitated, coagulated, nor rendered 
turbid by the addition of alcohol. 
Medical Properties and Uses. Sassafras soon after its first 
introduction into Europe, was held in great estimation, and acquired 
much reputation for curing many diseases; it was supposed to pos- 
sess sudorific, diuretic, and corroborant powers ; and to be pecu- 
liarly efficacious in venereal and scorbutic diseases. Whatever might 
have been the effects produced by this remedy a century ago, itithe 
present day no reliance is placed upon it as a remedial agent for the 
cure of inveterate diseases ; as a gentle stimulant and sudorific, it may 
be usefully combined with more powerful medicines of the same 
class. It is seldom used in modern practice but in combination with 
sarsaparilla, as in the compound decoction of the latter ; the essen- 
tial oil is antispasmodic, stimulant and sudorific, and may be given 
in doses of from two to five drops, in some suitable vehicle. 
Ofl'. The Wood and the Essential Oil, L. E. D. 
MYROXYLON PERUIFERUM. 
Sweet-smelling Balsam Tree.^' 
Class Decandri A. — Ort/er Monogynia. 
Nat. Old. LoMENTACEiE, Linn. Leguminos^, Juss. 
Gen. Char. Calyx bell-shaped, five-toothed. Petals five, 
the upper one larger than the others. Germen longer than 
the corolla. Legume with one seed only, at the point. 
Spec. Char. Leaflets pointed, emarginate. 
The Peruvian Balsam Tree is a native of the warmer regions 
of South America; growing on the mountains of Panataimas, in 
the forests of Muna, Paxaten, Cuchero, and Puzuzu, and in many 
* Fig. a. the pericarpium. 6. A stamen, maguified. c. The germen and caljx. 
