30 
NAT. ORDER. LOMENTACEiE. 
drops, in any proper vehicle, and repeated at intervals, according 
to circumstances. Tolu balsam possesses similar qualities to the 
former, and is applicable to the same diseases. In paralytic affec- 
tions, particularly those following the use of lead, the balsam of 
Peru may be given with the best effects, in doses, as much as the 
stomach will retain. This medicine seems in this disease to act 
upon the system generally, improving the health and appearance 
of the patient ; and, as his strength returns, the disease subsides. 
It was once employed as an external application in paralytic 
and rheumatic affections, but there are other applications much 
more valuable and efficacious. It was considered by former prac- 
titioners a great medicine to check the morbid effects which com- 
monly succeed punctures of nerves, tendons, &c. For this pur- 
pose it was dropped into the wounded part. 
Myroxylon Healing Salve. Under this title there was formerly 
a very celebrated salve vended, which was said to cure all kinds 
of sores, bruises, swellings, sprains, &c. How much credit can be 
given to those reports, we leave for others to decide, but we will 
proceed to give the formula for preparing the salve, according to 
the manuscript recipe of a very celebrated ancient physician. 
Take of the fresh green leaves of this tree, as many as can be 
pressed into a large copper kettle ; add as much common lard as 
will mix in with the leaves ; place the vessel so filled over a slow 
fire, and let it stew or steep for several hours ; then strain off, and 
press the leaves, that they may be thoroughly cleaned. Sometimes 
a little beeswax was added, in order to harden it. This was used 
for all kinds of purposes. It was also said to be an infallible 
remedy for the piles. Placed upon a lint, or soft piece of leather, 
and applied over sores of a gangrenous nature, it is said to be 
both healing and cleansing. 
