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ON THE MYKOSPERMUM OF SOX SON ATE. 
This preparation which is in high repute in Central America, 
was invented by Don Jose de Leon, Domiciliary Presbyter of the 
Archbishop of Mexico, and the director and founder of the Royal 
Mint of Guatemala. Its virtues (real or imaginary) are set forth 
at great length in a Spanish handbill (now before me) printed ^in 
Central America. An abstract of these is given in Lieut. Baily's 
translation of Juarros' History of Guatemala, before referred to. 
According to these authorities, balsamito is a stimulant, cordial, 
corroborant, anthelmintic, and diuretic. It is administered in the 
dose of a drachm in fainting fits, dyspepsia, flatulent colic, the 
cold stage of fever, hysteria, worms, &c. It is employed also to 
facilitate labor and the expulsion of the placenta, to check 
vomiting and diarrhoea, to relieve spasms, &c. In surgery it is 
extensively used as a vulnerary, as an application to sloughing 
sores, and to relieve the itching, heat, and pain which remain after 
the removal of a chigoe (Pulez penetrans.) Mixed with water it 
forms a milky fluid, which is used as a face-wash to remove frec- 
kles, and as a lotion for ulcers. 
Mr. Skinner speaks in the highest terms of the beneficial results 
which he has himself witnessed from the application of balsamito 
to sloughing and other wounds, and he tells me it is in high repute 
in Central America as a vulnerary ; a portion of this, which he 
kindly gave to me, I have placed in the hands of my friend and 
colleague, Mr. Luke, for trial in sloughing wounds. Mr. Luke 
tells me that he has applied it, in one case only, to a sloughing 
wound. It caused so much pain, that it became necessary to 
suspend its application. The slough, however, speedily sepa- 
rated. 
I subjoin two extracts, one from a private letter to Mr. Skinner 
from his partner Mr. Klee — the other from Lieut. Baily's work on 
Central America, just published. They are in part my authorities 
for some of the preceding statements. 
APPENDIX. 
1. Extract of a letter to G. U. Skinner, Esq., from Charles 
Rudolph Klee, Esq., Prussian Consul -General for Central 
America. 
" The tree which produces the Balsamo negro or balsamo de 
Peru, in this country grows only in a small district in the state of 
