MATERIA MEDIC A. 293 
MATERIA MEDIC A. 
The Defcription of the true Balfam of Mecc-a. 
I T is of a yellow colour, and pellucid. It has a 
moll fragrant fmeil, which is refinous, bal- 
lamick, and very agreeable. It is very tena- 
cious or glutinous, flicking to the fingers, and 
may be drawn into long threads. It fcarcely ever 
becomes fluid or liquid by the heat of the fun in 
Natolia. 
I have feen it at a Turkifh furgeon’s, who had 
it immediately from Mecca, defcribed it, and was 
informed of its virtues, which are : firft, that it is 
the beft Jlomachick they know, if taken to three 
grains, toftrengthen a weak ftomach; fecondly, that 
it is a moft excellent and capital remedy for curing 
wounds ; for if a few drops of it are applied to 
the frefh wound, it cures it in a very fhort time. 
An Experiment to know whether the Balfam of 
Mecca be true and not adulterated. 
A drop of the Balfam is dropt into a glafs of 
clear and frefh fpring water; if this drop remains 
in one place on the lurface of the water, the Bal- 
fam is of little value ; but if it inflantly exrends 
itfelf like a fkin or pellicle, over the whole furface, 
and with a hair, fllk or thread, this fkin may be 
taken off the water, which muft afterwards be as 
U 2 clear 
