334 
Gleanings  in  Materia  Medica. 
(  Am.  Jour.  Phai  m. 
t       July,  1881. 
GLEANINGS  IN  MATERIA  MEDICA. 
By  the  Editor. 
Myroxylon  peruiferum,  Lin.  F. — From  this  tree  of  tropical  America 
a  balsam,  similar  to  balsam  of  Peru,  and  by  a  similar  treatment,  may 
be  obtained,  as  was  ascertained  by  Th.  Peckolt.  Its  specific  gravity  at 
17°C.  was  1'031;  its  odor  was  pleasant,  between  that  of  benzoin  and 
vanilla.  When  compared  with  true  balsam  of  Peru,  the  balsam 
obtained  from  If.  imniiferuin  exhibits  the  following  differences: 
M.  Pereirce.  M.  peruiferum. 
Taste  warming  to  the  tongue;  then     Taste  slightly  pungent,   but  not 
burning  the  throat;   bitter  and 
aromatic ;  odor  agreeable,  like  va- 
nilla. 
Yields  a  volatile  oil  when  distilled 
with  water. 
Mixes  with  chloroform  in  all  pro- 
portions. 
Dissolves  in  six  parts  of  90  per  cent. 
alcohol,  and  gives,  after  a  time,  a 
fawn-colored  deposit. 
Ether,  beuzin  and  petroleum  spirit 
dissolve  only  the  yellow  oil  (cin- 
naniein). 
Bisulphide  of  carbon  only  partially 
dissolves  it,  giving  a  yellow  solu- 
tion. 
Castor  oil  takes  up  15  per  cent. 
Equal  volumes  of  balsam  and  con- 
centrated sulphuric  acid  mixed 
give  a  stiff  mixture  which,  knead- 
ed with  water,  yields  a  brittle 
resin,  which  is  not  sticky  when 
pressed  between  the  fingers. 
warming;  aromatic  and  astrin- 
gent; odor  aromatic. 
Gives  only  traces  of  a  volatile  oil. 
Acts  in  the  same  manner,  but  depo- 
sits a  powdery    precipitate  on 
standing. 
Soluble  in  90  per  cent,  alcohol  in  all 
proportions,  and  forms  no  deposit. 
Insoluble  in  these  three  liquids. 
Bisulphide  of  carbon  partially  dis- 
solves it,  forming  a  clear  light 
brown  solution. 
Mixes  with  castor  oil  in  all  propor- 
tions. 
The  same  treatment  causes  the  for- 
mation in  twelve  hours  of  a  gela- 
tinous mass  of  a  reddish-black 
color  which,  kneaded  with  water, 
colors  it  dirty  green ;  the  mass, 
after  washing,  is  sticky,  and  of 
greasy  consistence. 
In  many  points  the  balsam  from  the  wood  of  M.  j^eridferum  agrees 
with  balsam  of  Pern,  and  the  author  thinks  it  could  for  many  medi- 
cinal purposes  replace  that  more  expensive  drug,  and  might  be  distin- 
guished in  commerce  as  Brazilian  balsam.  He  states  that  he  has  used 
it  with  remarkable  success  as  a  balsam  for  wounds  and  in  the  treat- 
ment of  scabies.^ — Phar.  Jour,  and  Trans.,  April  2,  1881. 
1  The  fact  of  its  mixing  readily  with  castor  oil  in  all  proportions  would 
^give  it  an  advantage  over  the  balsam  of  Peru  for  use  in  stimulating  pomades. 
( 
