A balsamic resin obtained from styrax benzoin dryander, and another unidentified species of styrax. It contains benzoic acid in the proportions 12 to 20 per cent to which it probably owes its action.

Habitat.—Southern Asia.

Properties.—In pebble-like bodies or tears, slightly flattened, straight or curved, yellowish to rusty-brown externally, milky-white on fresh fractures internally. Odor agreeable, balsamic; taste slightly acrid. It is almost wholly soluble in five parts of moderately warm alcohol, and in solutions of the fixed alkalies. When heated it gives off fumes of benzoic acid.

Constituents.—Benzoic acid, cinnamic acid; resins and a volatile oil.

PREPARATIONS

ADEPS BENZOINATUS—BENZOINATED LARD

Made by melting lard 1,000, with benzoin 20, and straining; used as an ointment itself, and as a base for other ointments.

TINCTURA BENZOINI—TINCTURE OF BENZOIN

Made by maceration of benzoin 200, in alcohol; filtration and addition of alcohol to make 1,000.

Dose.—Horses and cattle, ¹/₂ to 1 oz.; sheep and pigs, 2 to 4 drs.; dogs, 30 to 60 ms.

TINCTURA BENZOINI COMPOSITA—COMPOUND TINCTURE OF BENZOIN

Commonly known as Friar’s Balsam. Benzoin, 100; purified aloes, 20; storax, 80; balsam of tolu, 40; alcohol to make 1,000. Made by digestion and filtration.

ACIDUM BENZOICUM—BENZOIC ACID

Derivation.—Obtained from benzoin by sublimation, or artificially prepared.

Properties.—White feathery crystals of a peculiar, agreeable odor, and warm acidulous taste, sparingly soluble in cold water (1 to 500), more soluble in boiling water, 1 in 15, and in 2 parts of alcohol; borax renders it more soluble.

Incompatibles.—Alkalies, ammonium carbonate.

Dose.—Horses and cattle, 2 to 4 drs.; sheep and pigs, ¹/₂ to 1 dr.; dogs, 5 to 15 grs.

AMMONII BENZOAS—AMMONIUM BENZOATE

Made by the action of benzoic acid and ammonia water. In white crystals. Soluble in 10.5 parts of water; in 25 parts of alcohol.

Dose.—Same as benzoic acid.

SODII BENZOAS—SODIUM BENZOATE

Made by the action of a hot solution of sodium carbonate of benzoic acid. Occurs in a white powder. Soluble in 1.6 parts of water; in 43 parts of alcohol.

Dose.—Same as benzoic acid.

LITHII BENZOAS—LITHIUM BENZOATE

Made by decomposing lithium carbonate with benzoic acid. It should contain not less than 98.5 per cent of pure lithium benzoate, and should be kept in a well stopped bottle. Soluble in 3 parts of water, and in 13 parts of alcohol.

Dose.—Same as benzoic acid.

Actions.—Benzoin is a mild stimulant, expectorant and antiseptic; benzoic acid is quite powerful; it renders alkaline urine acid; it is used to dissolve phosphatic calculi.

Uses.—The tincture and compound tincture are used as stimulants and antiseptics for wounds and sores. Benzoic acid, when administered internally, acts mildly as an antiseptic to the bladder; useful in catarrh of the bladder. Benzoate of soda is used in bronchial catarrh. Benzoate of ammonia is used to dissolve phosphatic calculi. Lithium benzoate has been highly recommended as a remedy for rheumatic affections.