Benzoinum

Benzoin

Benzoin. A balsamic resin obtained from Styrax benzoin Dryander (Nat. Ord. Styraceae). Benjoin, Fr.; Benzoeharz, Ger.

Composition

Benzoin is made up of resins. When subjected to dry distillation it yields benzoic acid, which is contained in it in the proportion of fourteen to eighteen per cent. Certain varieties of benzoin contain, also, cinnamic acid.

Tinctura Benzoini

Tincture of benzoin, 200 grm.; alcohol, sufficient to make 1,000 c. c. Dose, 3 ss— 3 j.

Adeps Benzoinatus

Benzoinated lard. Benzoin, 20 grm.; lard, 1,000 grm.

Tinctura Benzoini Composita

Compound tincture of benzoin. (Benzoin, socotrine aloes, storax, balsam of tolu, alcohol.) Dose, 3 ss -3ij.

Acidum Benzoicum

Benzoic Acid

Is in white, feathery crystals, of a peculiar, agreeable odor, and warm, acidulous taste, sparingly soluble in cold water, more soluble in boiling water, which deposits it in part on cooling, and very soluble in alcohol. Dose, gr. v— 3 ss.

Ammonii Benzoas

Ammonium Benzoate

Is in minute, white, shining, thin, four-sided, laminar crystals, with a slight odor of official benzoic acid, and a bitterish, saline, somewhat balsamic taste, and slightly acrid but persistent after-taste. It is soluble in five parts of water and in twenty-eight parts of alcohol. Dose, gr. v— 3 ss.

Sodii Benzoas

Sodium Benzoate

A white, semi-crystalline or amorphous powder, efflorescent on exposure to air, odorless, or having a faint odor of benzoin, of a sweetly astringent taste, and neutral reaction. Soluble in 1·8 parts of water, and in forty-five parts of alcohol at 60 Fahr. Dose, gr. v— 3 j.

Actions and Uses

The physiological effects of benzoin and its preparations are due to benzoic acid. Taken in very considerable doses ( 3 ss), benzoic acid produces some epigastric heat, increases the pulse-rate, and promotes bronchial and cutaneous transpiration. The acidity of the urine is rendered more decided by it. A large part of the acid is excreted by the kidneys as benzoic acid, and a part undergoes conversion into hippuric acid.

Recent observations have shown that benzoic acid has decided antiseptic properties (Salkowsky). It manifests the same power to prevent fermentations and putrefaction, and to destroy minute organisms, as that possessed by salicylic and boracic acids.

The tinctures of benzoin were formerly used as expectorants in chronic bronchial affections. They are now sometimes resorted to for the local treatment (by atomization) of chronic laryngeal affections. Their most important use, however, is in the treatment of foul-smelling wounds, flabby granulations, etc. Unhealthy or sloughing wounds may be dressed with linen or cotton cloths saturated with the tinctures, with the effect to destroy fetor and stimulate to a more healthy growth. Chapped hands and lips and fissured nipples are best treated, according to Stillé, with a mixture of compound tincture of benzoin and glycerin. Benzoic acid may be used as a substitute for boracic and salicylic acids in the antiseptic treatment of wounds. Its solubility in water can be increased by the addition of borax.

Benzoate of ammonia is a remedy of great utility when the urine is ammoniacal and loaded with phosphates. Under its use the urine becomes acid, and the fermentative changes are arrested. In chronic cystitis, arising from any cause, this remedy should be prescribed when the urine undergoes the alkaline fermentation. Incontinence of urine, when due to an alkaline reaction of this excretion, is cured by the benzoate of ammonia. Phosphatic calculi may be dissolved by the long-continued use of this remedy.

Benzoate of sodium has lately occupied a large place in professional attention. Having similar antiseptic and antipyretic properties to those of salicylate of sodium, and being without any injurious effect, it came to be largely used in the septic maladies. The first important observations were those of Dr. Klebs, of Prague, who announced that this salt can be used with good effects in all infectious febrile diseases; that while the febrile movement does not cease as quickly as after the use of sulphate of quinine and salicylate of sodium, the results obtained from the benzoate are more permanent. Moreover, absolutely no unpleasant after-effects were observed from this remedy, even when its use was much prolonged, and as much as three hundred and eighty grains daily could be taken without inconvenience. The usual daily quantity required in the treatment of diseases is ten to fifteen grammes, or one hundred and fifty to one hundred and eighty grains. Dr. Klebs advised the use of benzoate of soda in the acute infectious diseases, in tuberculosis, and catarrh of the bronchi. The principle underlying these suggestions of Dr. Klebs is the antiseptic. He holds that the maladies in question are of parasitic origin. The appropriate remedy is an antiseptic, destructive of germs. There are several remedies having these powers, but benzoate of sodium is best, because, while very destructive of minute organisms, it is free from injurious effects on the body. A remarkable and sudden extension was given to the use of this salt by the report from Innspruck, that cases of consumption far advanced were being quickly cured in the clinic of Prof. Propop Rokitansky. Subsequent investigations proved the inaccuracy of such observations. Klebs held that he had proved the parasitic origin of phthisis, and Prof. Schüller, of Greifswald, confirmed his statements by additional experiments. It was discovered in Klebs's laboratory that, if animals were made to inhale the spray of benzoate of sodium, tubercular and diphtheritic matter did not affect them. Then followed the treatment of cases of consumption, by spray of a solution of the benzoate. Although the first claims put forth were greatly exaggerated—not entirely unfounded—there is reason to believe that the free use of benzoate spray is of service in some cases of consumption. According to the estimate of Rokitansky (Propop), the patient must inhale 1/1000 of the body-weight daily of the benzoate in the form of spray, to do any good. Among the numerous observations in opposition to the views of Klebs and bis followers, may be selected those of Guttmann, who found that the treatment did not relieve a single symptom, and that there was no appearance in the affected lungs of any attempt at reparation.

Benzoate of sodium has been used in other infectious diseases. Thus Letzerich has employed it with success in the teatment of diphtheria. Of twenty-seven cases treated with this remedy in one epidemic, only one proved fatal, and this was an infant of feeble constitution. He gave from five to twenty grammes daily (seventy-five to three hundred grains), according to age, and applied the powdered benzoate by insufflation to the diseased parts. Other physicians have not been so largely successful, but many very favorable reports have been published (Kien, Hoffmann). Thus Demme found it highly serviceable in diphtheria and scarlet fever. It is well established that benzoate of sodium, added to the diphtheritic fungus, renders it harmless, so that the local use is founded on sound reasons. As an antipyretic in the eruptive fevers, in typhoid, and in malarial fevers, this salt may be preferred to the salicylate, than which it is safer, although much less effective as an antipyretic. In acute rheumatism it has been administered by Senator, McEwan, and others, who have found it a good and safe remedy, but not so active as salicylic acid. Tordens has treated whooping-cough successfully, using the prescription of Letze-rich: Rx Sodii benzoat., Э iv; aquae destil., aquae menth. pip., āā 3 x ; syrup, aurantii, 3 ij. M. Sig.: Two drachms every hour or two. Authorities referred to:

Demme, Dr. Allg. Wiener med. Zeitung, No. 24, 1880. Guttmann, Dr. Paul. Berliner klin. Wochen., December 8, 1819. Klebs, Dr. Allg. med. Centralzeitung, June 5, 1878. Kohler und Dittel. Berliner klinische Wochen., No. 44, 1879. Letzerich, Dr. Berliner klinische Wochen., No. 1, 1879. McEwak, Dr. David. British Medical Journal, March, 1881, p. 336. Salkowsky, Dr. E. Virchow's Archiv, B. lxxviii, p. 30. Senator, Dr. Zeitschrift fur klinische Med., Band i, p. 41.

Tordens, Dr. Edocard. Jour. de Med. de Brux., May, 1880. London Medical Reeord, August 15, 1880.