183 
Wippern, Franz, points out that balsam of Peru is not miscible 
with alcohol in all proportions. It is miscible with equal parts of 
alcohol, but larger quantities of alcohol cause more or less cloudiness, 
and when the proportion of six of alcohol to one of balsam of Peru 
is reached the mixture is quite opaque. He also suggests that the 
tendency to cause ointments containing it to become granular should 
be noted in the pharmacopoeia. — Pharm. Ztg., Berl., 1906, v. 51, p. 806. 
Heinrich Haensel has obtained 30 per cent of essential oil from 
balsam of Peru. This oil was dark yellow in color, had a sp. gr. of 
1.083 at 15° C., a slight dextro-rotation, and contained 81.4 per cent 
of cinnamein. — Half Yearly Reports, April, 1906, p. 25. 
Hubbard. Ernest V., calls attention to the value of balsam of Peru 
as a surgical dressing, as suggested some years previously by Van 
Arsdale. Pure constituents are required, and it may be necessary to 
sterilize the castor oil. The dressing is useless in eczematous condi- 
tions and is not protective against erysipelatous infection. — X. York 
M. J., 1906, v. 83, p. 505. 
Schloffer, H. (Abstract from Arch. f. Klin. Chirurgie., Berlin, 
LXXVII, Xo. 3), reports treating more than 100 cases of wounds 
with Peruvian balsam. He believes that this article surpasses any 
other substance for the treatment of wounds. — J. Am. M. Ass., 1906, 
v. 46, p. 391. 
BALSAMUM TOLUTANUM. 
The Ph. Brit. Committee of Reference in Pharmacy report on 
balsam of tolu says: The tests require revision. — Chem. & Drug., 
Lond., 1906, v. 69, p. 863. 
Weigel. G., points out that the Ph. Germ, requirement that balsam 
of tolu be insoluble in carbon disulphide is incorrect and that the 
Ph. Xdl. IV requirement that it be soluble to the extent of 25 per cent 
is more in keeping with the fact. — Pharm. Zentralh., 1906, v. 47, p. 398. 
Xaylor, AY. A. H., says that the bisulphide of carbon test is char- 
acterized^ as being valuable for discriminating between genuine and 
spurious balsams. The direction to evaporate the solution to dry- 
ness should be augmented by the addition, “ at a temperature not 
exceeding 100° F. until the weight is constant,” as cinnamic acid is 
appreciably volatile at higher temperatures, and loss would be likely 
to ensue. The acid determination of the U. S. P. has the disadvan- 
tage of that in the B. P. in that any acid or saponifiable body soluble 
in alcohol added to the balsam would be titrated and reckoned among 
its natural constituents. The end reaction is not so sharp. — Yearbook 
of Pharmacy, 1906, p. 207. 
AAYigel. G., points out that a new test is included in the Ph. Austr., 
which provides that balsam of tolu when boiled for a few minutes 
