1134

ELEMENTS OF MATERIA MEDICA.

vis, Dale) occurs in calabashes (the fruit of Crescentia Cujete, accord*^to Sloane, Hist. Nat. Jamaica, ii. 174) about the size of an orange, ,

large aperture by which the balsam has been introduced being clwith the racliis of the fruit of Zea Mays . „

Composition. —According to Fremy {Ann. de Chim. et Phys. 1. 1**'201), the composition of balsam of Tolu is similar to that of b^^niLyPeru, its constituents being cinnameine, cinnamic add, and resin. ^.differ, according to the same chemist, from those of balsam of P elUthe great facility with which they become resinified.

Resin of Balsam of Tolu .—Is essentially the same as that of balsam of (he

like it, also forms a fine red colour with sulphuric acid ; but it is less fusible aI) J

resin of the last-mentioned balsam. It consists of carbon 70*8, hydrogen ° ’oxygen 23" 1 ; so that it contains a larger proportion of the elements of water.

f Tolh

Physiological Effects and Uses. —The effects of balsam ^1-are similar to those of balsam of Peru (see p. 1132), and the othe ^samic substances (p. 74). It is employed as a stimulating expectorchronic bronchial affections, unaccompanied with inflammatory a . c {It is, however, more frequently used as an agreeable flavouring a Jto pectoral mixtures. The vapour of the ethereal solution of thehas been inhaled in chronic affections with benefit. Tolu lozen(J esa popular and pleasant remedy for appeasing troublesome cough- ^

balsam is sometimes employed by confectioners to flavour sweet f

as marmalade. It is also used in perfumery; and is a constitusome fumigating pastiles (see p. 938). It

Administration.— The dose of the balsam is from grs. x. to 5 sS ‘ pmay be taken in the form of an emulsion, made with gum or sU qf5\^,is a constituent of the compound tincture of benzoin, L. D. (pp- J Jv

1. Tinctura Balsami Tolutanj, L. D. Tinctura Tolutan >

Tincture of Tolu. (Balsam of Tolu, jij. [Sj. D., in coarse powdefr 3 tE.]; Rectified Spirit , Oij. [Oj. wine measure, D., fSxvj. E.] . jj s .

[with a gentle heat, E., in a close vessel, D.] until the balsamsolved [and filter, L. Z).]).—A stimulating expectorant, principal

as a flavouring adjunct to other pectorals. Its use is, of course,^ ^tionable in inflammatory cases. Dose, f5ss. to f^ij. When mixj-’ c j.water the resin is precipitated; hence it should be rubbed witn llSlage, or some viscid liquor, before adding the water, to keep the reprecipitate in suspension. _ Sv rU P

2. Srnupus Tolutanus, L. D. Syrupus Balsami Tolutani,^- qjof Tolu. Balsamic Syrup. (Balsam of Tolu, 5x.; Boiling W a e ’, egge lSugar , lbs. ijss. Boil the Balsam in the Water for half an hour in a ^ e)1lightly covered, frequently stirring, and strain the cooled lhfl l0 | r ’rpj n c"add the Sugar , and dissolve it, L .—Simple Syrup, Oij. [Oiss- B\ j, a sture of Tolu, 3j. When the syrup has been recently prepared, ta yingnot altogether cooled, add the tincture of Tolu by degrees, a n ^ ^ eC -briskly, E. D.) —Employed as an agreeable flavouring adjunc

toral mixtures. Dose, f5j. to fsiv.