The prepared, resinous exudation of Abies excelsa Poiret (nat. ord. Coniferae).

Habitat

Europe, in the Southern parts, in mountainous districts.

Characters

Hard, yet gradually taking the form of the vessels in which it is kept; brittle, with a shining, conchoidal fracture, opaque or translucent, reddish-brown or yellowish-brown, odor agreeably terebinthinate; taste aromatic, sweetish, not bitter.

Solubility

Almost entirely in Glacial Acetic Acid, and partly soluble in cold Alcohol.

Composition

The chief constituents are - (1) Resin; (2) A volatile oil, a mixture of several isomeric terpenes in variable proportion.

Impurities

Palm Oil and Resin, which are detected by not being soluble in Glacial Acetic Acid.

Burgundy Pitch is contained in Emplastrum Ferri and Emplastrum Opii.

- Preparations.

1. Emplastrum Picis Burgundicae. - Burgundy Pitch Plaster. Burgundy Pitch, 800; Yellow Wax, 150; Olive Oil, 50.

2. Emplastrum Picis Cantharidatum. - Cantharidal Pitch Plaster. Synonym. - Warming Plaster. Cerate of Cantharides, 80; Burgundy Pitch to 1000. Heat the cerate and strain; melt the pitch with the strained liquid.

Action And Uses Of Burgundy Pitch

Burgundy pitch is used as a basis for plasters. It is mildly stimulant to the skin.