Balsams. Part 4

Description

This section is from the "Encyclopedia Of Practical Receipts And Processes" book, by William B. Dick. Also available from Amazon: Dick's encyclopedia of practical receipts and processes.

Balsams. Part 4

5108. Factitious Balsam of Peru

5108. Factitious Balsam of Peru. Balsam of tolu, 1 pound; gum benzoin, 3 pounds; liquid storax, 1 ounce; sufficient rectified spirit. The gum benzoin in coarse powder is dissolved in a little of the spirit, and then mixed up with the balsam of tolu and storax, adding as much spirit as is necessary to reduce it to a proper consistence.

5109. Reduced Balsam of Peru

5109. Reduced Balsam of Peru. Balsam of Peru, 3 pounds; balsam of tolu, 2 pounds; rectified spirit enough to reduce it to a proper consistence. As above. Or: Balsam of Peru, 3 pounds; gum benzoin dissolved in the least quantity of spirit possible, 1 pound. As above.

5110. To Detect Factitious or Reduced Balsam of Peru

5110. To Detect Factitious or Reduced Balsam of Peru. Genuine balsam of Peru should possess the following characteristics: It should have a consistence and appearance resembling molasses, and an aromatic odor between that of benzoin and vanilla. It should be entirely soluble in alcohol. It should undergo no diminution in volume when agitated with water. 1000 parts of the balsam should saturate exactly 75 grains of pure crystallized carbonate of soda. Its specific gravity should not bo less than 1.150, nor more than 1.160.

5111. Factitious Balm of Gilead

5111. Factitious Balm of Gilead. Also called Baume de la Mecque. Gum benzoin, 1 pound; resin, 4 pounds; oil lemon, rosemary, caraway, of each 4 ounces; alcohol, sufficient quantity, till of proper consistence. Or: 4 ounces gum benzoin may be dissolved by heat in 1 pound Canada balsam, and to the mixture, when cold, 1/4 ounce each of the oils of rosemary, lemon, and cassia, added.

5112. Hoffmann's Life Balsam

5112. Hoffmann's Life Balsam, found in Continental Pharmacopoeias under the name Mistura oleoso-balsamica, and other titles, is prepared as follows: Take 1 fluid ounce each of the oils of lavender, cloves, cinnamon, thyme, lemon peel, and mace; 3 fluid ounces each oil of bergamot and balsam Peru; and 5 pints alcohol. The oils and balsam are gradually added to the alcohol, the whole well shaken and allowed to rest for a few days in a cool place, when it is filtered and ready for use. Different European Pharmacopoeias vary from each other somewhat in the proportion of the oils.

5113. Nervine Balsam or Baume Nerval

5113. Nervine Balsam or Baume Nerval. Expressed oil of mace, and prepared ox-marrow, of each 4 ounces melted together; oil of rosemary, 2 drachms; oil of cloves, 1 drachm; camphor, 1 drachm; balsam of tolu, 2 drachms; the last two dissolved in rectified spirit, 4 fluid drachms; and the whole stirred till cold.

5114. Balsam of Sulphur

5114. Balsam of Sulphur. Boil together in a vessel, tightly covered, 1 part flowers of sulphur and 4 parts olive oil, until they assume the consistence of a thick balsam.