Cooley's Cyclopaedia of Practical Receipts Volume I Part 71

3. (Hill's.) See PATENT MEDICINES. _Uses, &c._ A good pectoral in colds, tickling chronic coughs, hoa.r.s.eness, &c., when unaccompanied with fever.--_Dose._ For an adult, 1/2 to 1 teaspoonful, twice or thrice a day; an occasional dose of some mild aperient being also taken. Tincture of balsam of tolu, or a mixture of the tinctures of tolu and benzoin, is frequently sold in the shops under the name of 'balsam of honey.' See PECTORAL BALSAM, &c.

=Balsam of h.o.r.e'hound.= _Syn._ BAL'SAMUM MARRU'BII, L. _Prep._ 1. Extracts of h.o.r.ehound and liquorice, of each 2 oz.; hot water, 1/2 pint; dissolve, and when cold, add of paregoric, 3/4 pint; oxymel of squills, 6 oz.; tincture of benzoin, 2 oz.; honey, 10 oz.; and, after thorough admixture, strain through flannel.

2. (Ford's.) See PATENT MEDICINES.

_Uses, &c._ A popular pectoral.--_Dose, &c._, same as of BALSAM OF HONEY (_above_).

=Balsam of Houmi"ri.= [Nat.] From humir'ia balsamif'era, or the houmiri-tree of Guiana. It resembles 'balsam of umiri' produced by another tree of the same genus. (See _below_.)

=Balsam of Lead.= See BALSAM, GOULARD'S.

=Balsam of Life.= _Syn._ BALM OF LIFE; BAL'SAMUM VI'Tae, L.; BAUME DE VIE, ELIX'IR DE VIE, &c., Fr. Several compound medicines have been called by this name. Those of Gabius, Hoffman, and Turlington, are noticed under PATENT MEDICINES (which _see_). The following are distinct preparations:--

1. BAUME DE VIE EXTERNE:--Soap liniment, 2 parts; oil of turpentine, 1 part; mix. Stimulant and rubefacient. Used with friction.

2. BAUME DE VIE PURGATIF; Elixir de vie:--_a._ (Briett.) Socotrine aloes and saffron, of each, 2 drs.; rhubarb, 6 drs.; liquorice-root, 1 oz.; proof spirit or brandy, 1/2 pint; digest a week, and filter.

_b._ (Original Swedish formula.) Aloes, 9 drs.; agaric, gentian, rhubarb, saffron, theriaca, and zedoary, of each 1 dr.; proof spirit or brandy, 1 quart. A mild stomachic purge.--_Dose._ 1 to 6 drs. Tincture of rhubarb-and-aloes (Ph. E.) is commonly subst.i.tuted for it. See ELIXIRS.

=Balsam of Liq'uorice.= See PATENT MEDICINES.

=Balsam of Mec'ca.= _Syn._ BALM OF GIL'EAD, B. OF MEC'CA, OPOBAL'SAM (-bawl'-), JEWS' BALSAM, OIL OF B., &c., Eng.; BAL'SAMUM (bal'-) GILEADEN'SE, B. e MEC'CA, OPOBAL'SAMUM (-bal'-) &c., L.; BAUME DE LA MECQUE, B. DE MECCA*, B. DE JUDeE, OPOBALSAMUM, &c., Fr. BAL'SAMUM aeGYPTI'Ac.u.m, B. ALPI'NI, B. ANTIQUO"RUM GENUI'NUM, B. ASIAT'Ic.u.m, B.

SYRI'Ac.u.m, O'LEUM BAL'SAMI, &c., L. A fragrant oleo-resinous substance, obtained from _balsamoden'dron gileaden'se_ (Kunth.; _amy'ris gileaden'sis_, Linn.; _a. opobal'samum_, Forsk), a middle-sized tree of the nat. ord. Terebinthacae (DC.), growing in Arabia Felix, Asia Minor, and Egypt. It is the BALM of the Old Testament, and the ??sa?? of Theophrastus and Dioscorides. It is chemically cla.s.sed with the turpentines.

_Prop., &c._ When fresh it is turbid and whitish, but becomes by degrees transparent, of a rich golden colour, and slightly thicker; and by exposure, eventually solid. It possesses a penetrating and delicate fragrance; tastes sharp, bitter, spicy, and somewhat astringent; is not entirely soluble in rectified spirit, but dissolves more or less completely in both the fixed and volatile oils, which then a.s.sume the fragrance of the balsam. A drop let fall on hot water spreads itself over the whole surface, like a film of oil, and again contracts on the water cooling. This, with its fragrance, is the common test of its genuineness in Turkey. The inferior qualities, or those of commerce, are generally opaque and thick, rapidly resinifying and turning of a dull yellow by age.

When applied to the skin it causes redness and swelling. It was formerly regarded as possessing the most varied and exalted virtues, particularly as an antiseptic, stimulant, vulnerary, and nervine; and its fumes were supposed to prevent barrenness. It is still highly prized in the East as a cosmetic and perfume; and is said to be unequalled for giving a healthy glow to the complexion and promoting the growth of the hair. Its medicinal qualities are intermediate to those of the aromatic turpentines and balsam of tolu.--_Dose._ From 3 to 6, or even 10 or 12 drops.

_Obs._ According to Bruce, and others, the best balm of Gilead is a spontaneous exudation from the tree; a second quality is obtained by cutting the bark with an axe, and receiving the juice which exudes in a small earthen bottle. A large branch is said to produce not more than 3 or 4 drops a day; and even the most resinous trees seldom yield more than 60 drops daily. Hence its scarcity and costliness. Both varieties are held in such high estimation by the Turks and Egyptians, that none of them are exported as an article of commerce. That which is sent to England is obtained by boiling the leaves and young twigs of the balsam tree in water, and is rejected by the Orientals as worthless. Most of that sold in the shops of England is entirely spurious (see _below_).

The cosmetics recently so much advertised as 'BALM OF MECCA' do not contain even a trace of this article; nor do we believe that there is a single drop of the genuine balm to be purchased in London.

The following formulae are current in the trade for =Fac"t.i.tious Balm of Mecca=:--

1. Gum-benzoin (bright, coa.r.s.ely powdered), 4 _oz._; liquid styrax (finest), 3 _oz._; balsam of tolu, 2 _oz._; Canadian balsam, 1-1/2 pint; are mixed together in a flask, and exposed (closed) to the heat of a water bath, with frequent agitation, until the liquid is saturated; when cold, the clear portion is decanted, and a sufficient quant.i.ty of the oils of lemon, ca.s.sia, rosemary, nutmeg, and vanilla, added to give it a strong aromatic odour.

2. From gum-benzoin and balsam of Peru, of each 1 _oz._; vanilla and nutmeg, of each (cut small) 1 _dr._; Canadian balsam, 1/2 pint; digested as before, and some essential oils added to the decanted liquid.

=Balsam of Nut'meg.= _Syn._ BAL'SAMUM MYRIS'TICae, B. NUCIS'Tae. L. _Prep._ (Ph. Bor. 1847.) Expressed oil of nutmeg (--? mace), 3 _oz._; olive oil, 1 _oz._; yellow wax, 1/2 _oz._; melt them together by a gentle heat, pour the mixture into paper moulds, and, when cold, cut the ma.s.s up into cakes.

=Balsam of Peru'= (roo'). _Syn._ PERU'VIAN BALSAM; BAL'SAMUM PERUVIA'NUM (Ph. L., E., and D.), L.; BAUME DU PeROU, B. PERUVIEN, Fr.; PERUVIANISCHER BALSAM, Ger. A balsam obtained from _Myroxylon Pereirae_ (_Myrospermum of Sonsonate_). It exudes from the trunk of the tree after it has been scorched and removed. From Salvador, in Central America. B. P.

_Prop., &c._ A chocolate-coloured or a reddish-brown liquid, of the consistence of treacle, possessing a bitterish, rather pungent taste, and an agreeable aromatic odour somewhat similar to that of a mixture of vanilla and benzoin. It is reputed stimulant, tonic, and expectorant, and has long been a popular remedy in chronic asthma, catarrh, and other pulmonary affections, debility, &c. It is now, however, princ.i.p.ally used as an ingredient in pomades, hair-oils, lip-salves, and other cosmetics, in which it is only inferior to 'balm of Mecca,' and in compound perfumery. It is also used to scent lozenges, pastils, and chocolate and liqueurs; for these last, chiefly as a subst.i.tute for 'vanilla' when it is scarce and dear.--_Dose_, 10 or 12 to 30 gr. (even 1 dr. is sometimes given), either on sugar, or made into a bolus with liquorice powder, or into an emulsion with honey, mucilage, or yolk of egg.

_Pur., Tests, &c._--1. The sp. gr. should not be lower than 115; nor higher than 116:--2. Ether dissolves it readily and completely:--3.

Soluble in 5 parts of rectified spirit:--4. It should undergo no diminution in volume when agitated with water:--5. 100 gr., by its benzoic or cinnamic acid, should saturate not less than 7-1/2 gr. of pure crystallised carbonate of soda:--6. Sulphuric acid converts it into resin, artificial tannin, or charcoal, according to the quant.i.ty employed; if, on adding water, a brittle resin is not formed, some fixed oil (probably castor oil) is present:--7. Treated with nitric acid, some hydrocyanic acid is formed, benzoic acid sublimes, and the residual matter is artificial tannin:--8. The alkalies and their carbonates form with it a thickish semi-crystalline ma.s.s, which, on being treated with sulphuric acid, deposits a peculiar resinous matter, with crystals of benzoic and cinnamic acid:--9. If a few drops are distilled, and, when iodine is added to the distillate, an explosion results, it has been adulterated with 'copaiba':--10. The genuine balsam contains about 6-1/2% of benzoic (cinnamic) acid:--11. (Hager). If two or three cubic centimetres of balsam of Peru be shaken with five or six cubic centimetres of petroleum spirit, the mixture separates upon being allowed to stand into a black-brown layer, and a limpid and colourless or slightly yellowish layer, and is easily decanted. If the balsam be adulterated, this latter layer is turbid and coloured, while the viscous residue which separates is more fluid, which renders decantation more difficult. Sometimes the brown residue is pulverulent.

_Obs._ Balsam of Peru was formerly very generally adulterated, and often entirely fact.i.tious; but, owing to its present reduced price, this is now only confined to a few of the most unprincipled venders. The following formulae for this purpose are still extant in the trade:--

=Balsam of Peru, Facti"tious:=--From gum-benzoin (in coa.r.s.e powder), 3 _lbs._; dissolved in the least possible quant.i.ty of rectified spirit, and then mixed with balsam of tolu, 1 _lb._; and liquid styrax, 2 _oz._; subsequently adding of rectified spirit, q. s.

=Balsam, Reduced Peruvian:=--1. Balsam of Peru, 3 _lbs._; balsam of tolu, 2 _lbs._; rectified spirit, q. s. to reduce it to a proper consistence:--2. Balsam of Peru, 3 _lbs._; gum-benzoin (dissolved in a little rectified spirit), 1 _lb._; as before. It is occasionally met with largely adulterated with liquid styrax.

=Balsam of Rackasi'ri.= _Syn._ BALSAM OF RAKASI'RA; BAL'SAMUM RACKASIRI, B. RACAZZI'Rae, B. RHADASI'RI. A species of balsamic turpentine, said to be obtained from the _bursera balsamifera_ (Pers.), an Indian tree of the natural order Terebinthaceae. It has a slightly bitter taste, adheres to the teeth when chewed, and, when heated, smells like balsam of tolu. It has been extolled as possessing the virtues of copaiba in an exalted degree. The nostrum vended under the name of BALM OF RACKASIRI by certain quacks, simply consists of English gin, coloured, sweetened, and aromatised.

=Balsam, Saturnine.= (Bate.) Acetate of lead 40 _oz._; oil of turpentine 12 _oz._ Digest for some days.

=Balsam of Soap.= Soap-liniment.

=Balsam of Soap= (Ethe"real). _Syn._ BAL'SAMUM SAPO'NIS aeTHE"REUM, L.

_Prep._ (Cottereau.) Castile soap (powdered) and camphor, of each 1 dr.; oil of thyme, 10 drops; acetic ether, 1 oz.; dissolve in a close vessel with the aid of a gentle heat, and decant the clear portion. Used as an embrocation or liniment in gout, rheumatism, &c.

=Balsam of St. John's Wort.= See OILS.

=Balsam of Sto"rax.= Liquid-ambar or styrax.

=Balsam of Sul'phur.= See OILS.

=Balsam of Sul'phur, Anisated.= (Ph. Edin. 1722). Originally made by digesting one part of sulphur; three of turpentine; and four of oil of aniseed. A mixture of one part of oil of aniseed with three or four of balsam of sulphur is usually sold for it.

=Balsam of Sul'phur with Turpentine.= Digest one part of sulphur with three of oil of turpentine till dissolved. Similar compounds were formerly made with sulphur and Barbadoes tar, and with the empyreumatic oils of amber, benzoin, &c.

=Balsam of Syri'ac.u.m.= See BALSAM OF MECCA.

=Balsam of Tolu'= (-l'oo). _Syn._ TOLU' BAL'SAM*; BAL'SAMUM TOLUTA'NUM (Ph. L., E., & D.), B. DE TO'L, L.; BAUME DE TOLU, Fr.; TOLUTANISCHER BALSAM, B. VON TOLU, &c., Ger. Balsam flowing from the incised trunk of "_myrosper'mum toluif'erum_." (B. P.) The tree which produces it is a native of the mountains of Tolu, Turbaco, &c., in South America.

_Prop., Uses, &c._ When first brought over it is soft and tenacious, but by age and careless keeping becomes hard, and even brittle, somewhat similar to resin. It is perfectly soluble in alcohol and in ether, and gives out its acid (benzoic or cinnamic) to water. Its odour is fragrant, though less powerful than that of either styrax or balsam of Peru; and it has a pleasant sweetish taste. It softens under the teeth, melts readily, and burns with an agreeable odour. As a medicine it is a stimulating expectorant, and, as such, is employed in chronic bronchial affections unaccompanied with inflammatory action. It has long been a popular pectoral. Syrup of Tolu is an agreeable and common adjunct to pectoral mixtures, and, with Tolu lozenges, is often serviceable in tickling coughs. It is also used by confectioners, perfumers, &c., and in fumigating pastils.--_Dose_, 5 to 20, or even 30 gr., dissolved in spirit, or made into an emulsion.

_Pur._ This is shown by its perfect solubility in rectified spirit, forming a transparent tincture, and by its odour. When adulterated it has a weaker smell, is only partially soluble in alcohol, and the tincture formed with that fluid is opaque. The presence of colophony (or lac), according to Ulex, may be detected by the balsam, instead of dissolving in sulphuric acid, swelling up, blackening, and disengaging sulphurous fumes.[106] Castor oil may be detected in the way noticed under BALSAM OF PERU.

[Footnote 106: 'Archiv der Pharm.,' 1855.]

=Balsam of Tolu, a Fact.i.tious=, was formerly met with in trade, made of equal parts of orange-lac and white sugar, reduced to a proper consistence with rectified spirit, and 'brought up' with some tincture of benzoin, and a few drops of the oils of ca.s.sia and nutmeg dissolved in a little essence of vanilla.

=Balsam of Tur'pentine= (-tine). _Syn._ BAL'SAMUM TEREBIN'THINae, L. A name formerly given to Strasburgh, Venice, and other like turpentines.

=Balsam of Tur'pentine= (Emollient). _Syn._ B. TEREBINTHINA'TUM, L.

_Prep._ Olive oil, 6 oz.; oil of turpentine, 2 oz.; yellow wax, 1 oz.; balsam of Peru, oil of nutmeg, and camphor, of each 2 dr. A stimulant emollient; in contusions, ulcerations, engorgements, nephritic pains, &c.

=Balsam of Umi"ri.= [Nat.] By incision, from the _humir'ia floribun'dum_ (Mart.), or the _umiri-plant_ of Para. It is fragrant, limpid, of a palish-yellow colour, and in its medicinal properties is said to combine those of the balsams of copaiba and Peru.

=BALSAM'IC= (bal-). _Syn._ BALSAM'ICUS, BALSA'MEUS, BALSAM'INUS, L.; BALSAMIQUE, Fr.; BALSAMISCH, Ger. Of the nature of balsam, or containing or resembling it; bland, soothing, healing; balmy.

=BAMBOO'= (-boo'). [Nat.] _Syn._ BAMBU'SA, L.; BAMBON, Fr.; BAMBUS, BAMBUSROHR, INDIANISCHER ROHR, Ger. The name of several species of the genus '_bambusa_,' but appr. of _b. arundina'cea_ or 'common bamboo.' See BAMBUSA.

=Bamboo'-habit= (-hab-). A species of 'life-preserver,' or 'float,' used in China and the Indian Archipelago, consisting of four pieces of bamboo tied together so as to form a square.

=BAMBU'SA.= [Endl.] The bamboo. In _botany_, a genus of magnificent arborescent gra.s.ses, of the nat. order Gramineae (DC.), having hollow jointed stems, of a hard woody texture, externally coated with siliceous matter, and sometimes secreting a similar siliceous substance (TABASHEER') in their internal cavities. They are all of rapid growth, and vary in height from 6 to 150 feet.

There, is, perhaps, scarcely any other plant besides the palm which serves for so many purposes useful to man, as the various species of bamboo. Its grain is used for bread; the young shoots are eaten like asparagus, and are also pickled; the smaller stalks are made into walking canes, umbrella and parasol sticks, flutes, &c.; whilst its fibres are manufactured into cloth, and even paper. It is employed extensively in the construction of houses, bridges, masts for boats, domestic furniture, boxes, mats, baskets, utensils of various kinds, fences, water pipes and vessels, quicksilver bottles, &c., and for numerous other purposes connected with everyday life. In localities where ordinary surgical appliances are not at hand, splints, of any required length or size, can be made with very little delay, from the stems of the bamboo. The older and drier stems are to be preferred for this purpose. The genus is confined to the East and West Indies and tropical America. See CANE, PICKLES, TABASHEER, &c.