Balsams. Balsams are semi-liquid resinous substances, having for the most part the consistence of honey. Some, however, are solid, and the greater number harden by exposure to the air and age. They are generally aromatic, soluble in alcohol, partly soluble in ether, and not at all so in water. Their usual constituents are resin and benzoic acid, mixed with a large portion of aromatic essential oil. Some of the substances falsely called balsams contain no benzoic acid, as the balsam of copaiba, etc..; and many preparations, from the presumption that they possess balsamic qualities, have also received this name.

5091. Friar's Balsam, or Jesuit's Drops

5091. Friar's Balsam, or Jesuit's Drops. Take gum benzoin, 6 ounces; strained storax, 2 ounces; pulverized aloes and myrrh, each 1/2 ounce; balsam Peru, 1 ounce; balsam tolu, 2 ounces; extract of liquorice, 2 ounces; alcohol, 2 quarts. Let it stand for 2 weeks, with occasional agitation, and filter the whole through paper. A good application for wounds and cuts; and as such was very effectual in the hands of the old friars. Internally, it is stimulant, expectorant, and anti-spasmodic, and is useful in asthma, catarrh, consumption, and languid circulation. Dose, 1/2 a drachm on loaf sugar.

5092. Balsam of Horehound

5092.     Balsam of Horehound. Dissolve 2 ounces each extract of horehound and extract of liquorice, in 1/2 pint hot water; when cold, add | pint paregoric, 6 ounces oxymel of squills, 2 ounces tincture of benzoin, and 10 ounces honey. Mix well and strain through flannel. Dose for an adult, 1/2 to 11/2 tea-spoonfuls, accompanied by a dose or two of aperient medicine.

5093. Balsam of Honey

5093.    Balsam of Honey. Balsam of tolu, 1 ounce; gum storax, 1 drachm; purified opium, 15 grains; best honey, 4 ounces; rectified spirits of wine, 1 pint. Digest them together for a week, and strain the liquor. This prescription is of great use in colds and habitual coughs, unaccompanied by feverish symptoms. The dose is from 1 to 3 tea-spoonfuls occasionally.

5094. Balsam Riga

5094.     Balsam Riga. Young shoots of fir (collected in March), 2 pounds; rectified spirit and water, of each 5 pints. Bruise the fir-shoots and macerate in the spirit and water for 3 or 4 days, then distill 1 gallon. Or : Mix together rectified spirit, 8 ounces; oil of juniper and compound tincture of benzoin, of each 1 ounce; agitate well and filter. Stimulant and diuretic; also used for sprains and bruises.

5095. Glycerine Balsam

5095.     Glycerine Balsam. This is designed to whiten and soften the skin,remove roughness, chaps, chilblains, and irritations from common causes. Take pure white wax, 1 ounce; spermaceti, 2 ounces; oil of almonds, 9 ounces. Melt together by a moderate heat in a glazed earthenware vessel, and add pure glycerine, 3 ounces; balsam of Peru, 1/2 ounce. The mixture is to bo stirred until nearly cold, and then poured into pots. Instead of balsam of Peru, 12 or 15 drops of attar of rose may be employed.