124 
Tschirch and Burckhardt contribute a preliminary report on an 
investigation of a sample of white balsam of Peru. This new prod- 
uct, they believe, is not identical with the so-called “ white balsam of 
Peru ” obtained from the seeds of Myroxylon pereira. It belongs to 
the substance known as “ styrax balsams.” — Pharm. Post, Wien, 1905, 
v. 38, p. 570. 
Thoms and Biltz examined a sample of white balsam of Peru, 
discuss the constants and characteristics of the several fractions ob- 
tained b}^ distillation. — Arb. a. d. Pharm. Inst. d. Univer. Berlin, 
1905, v. 2, pp. 127-131. 
Fliickiger and Mauch ( J. de Pharm. d’Anvers, 1905, p. 128) discuss 
the detection of gurjun balsam, in balsam of Peru and in copaiba, by 
the nitrosulphuric acid reaction applied to a sample dissolved in car- 
bon disulphide. They believe that this reaction is not conclusive un- 
less applied to the essential oil distilled from the balsam. — Abstr. in 
Chem. & Drug., Bond., 1905, v. 67, p. 70. 
Aufrecht (Pharm. Zentralh., 1905, p. 887) examined artificial bal- 
sam of Peru and found that it resembles the true article in many 
particulars but differs from it in that the saponification and iodine 
numbers are materially different. The natural balsam usually has an 
average saponification number of 239, and an iodine number of 55. 
The synthetic product was found to have a saponification number of 
206 and an iodine number of 33.7. — Pharm. Post, Wien, 1905, v. 38, 
p. 782. 
The report of inspectors of pharmacies in Belgium mentions the 
finding of balsam of Peru having a low density and adulterated with 
storax, gurjun balsam, and turpentine. — Bull. Soc. roy. Pharm., de 
Bruxelles, 1905, v. 49, p. 307. 
Sorber, Alblas (Pharm. Weekbl., 1905), points out that the addi- 
tion of a small quantity of castor oil to ointments containing balsam 
of Peru and other substances will tend to prevent the granulating 
tendency that is frequently found in these ointments. Castor oil 
contains little or no triolein, and this is thought to be the direct 
cause for the separation so frequently noted with mixtures containing 
balsam of Peru with oils and fats.- — Pharm. Ztg. Berlin, 1905, v. 50, 
p. 1023. 
Bischoff (Apoth, Ztg.) asserts that a perfect ointment containing 
balsam of Peru may be obtained by the use of carnauba wax. The 
incompatibility may be overcome by first rubbing down the boric 
acid or any other medication with a little castor oil. This is then 
mixed with the fat or petrolatum and the balsam added afterwards. — 
Year Book Pharm., Lond., 1905, p. 231. 
Deutsch (Ztschr. f. Med. Beamte, 1905, p. 409) reports that three 
children had been treated, at the suggestion of a quack, with inunc- 
tions of vinegar, soap, and balsam of Peru. All three developed 
