Origin. - A balsam obtained from Toluifera Balsamum L., an evergreen tree from 60 to 80 feet (18-24 M.) high, growing in the high rolling country of Venezuela and New Granada.

Description and Properties. - A yellowish-brown, semifluid, or nearly solid mass, becoming more brittle when exposed to cold; transparent in thin layers, having an agreeable odor, recalling that of vanilla, but distinct from it, and a mild, aromatic taste; readily and completely soluble in alcohol, chloroform, and solutions of the fixed alkalies; almost wholly soluble in ether, but nearly insoluble in water or carbon disulphide.

The drug contains a volatile oil (chiefly toluene), cinnamic and benzoic acids, and a resin.

Dose. - 8-30 minims (0.5-2.0 Cc.) [15 grains (1 Gm.), U. S. P.].

Official Preparations

Syrupus Tolutanus - Syrupi Tolutani - Syrup of Tolu (0.5 percent.). - Dose, 2-6 fluidrams (8.0-24.0 Cc.) [4 fluidrams (16 Cc), U. S. P.].

Tinctura Tolutana - Tincturae Tolutanae - Tincture of Tolu (20 per cent.). - Dose, 1/2-2 fluidrams (2.0-8.0 Cc.) [30 minims (2 Cc), U. S. P.].

Tinctura Benzoini Composita - Tincturae Benzoini Composita - Compound Tincture of Benzoin (4 per cent.). - described under Benzoin.

Antagonists and Incompatibles. - Aqueous preparations are pharmaceutically incompatible with the tincture of tolu.

Synergists. - The balsams, aromatic drugs, volatile oils, and stimulant expectorants.

Physiological Action. - Balsam of tolu is antiseptic, disinfectant, and stimulant when applied to the skin and to raw surfaces. It is a pleasant carminative and stomachic.

The drug is excreted principally by the mucous membranes, the secretions from which it stimulates and disinfects. The skin and kidneys also share in the excretory process.

Therapeutics. - Inhalations of the vapor of tolu have been successfully employed in the treatment of chronic pharyngitis, and a pigment composed of 1 part of tolu to 5 parts of ether or alcohol has been beneficially applied to diphtheritic deposits on the tonsils and pharynx.

Its agreeable flavor, together with its stimulating and expectorant properties, renders tolu an efficient and agreeable ingredient of cough mixtures, lozenges, vapors, etc., employed to modify the course of subacute and chronic bronchitis.

Administration. - Tolu is usually administered in the form of syrup, although the tincture may be given in emulsion. Inhalations of tolu vapor are employed, and lozenges containing tolu are frequently used.