Tinctura Benzoini (U. S. P.)—Tincture of Benzoin.

Related entry: Benzoinum (U. S. P.)—Benzoin

(Modern shorthand: 1:5 91 %)

Preparation.—"Benzoin, in moderately coarse powder, two hundred grammes (200 Gm.) [7 ozs. av., 24 grs.]; alcohol, a sufficient quantity to make one thousand cubic centimeters (1000 Cc.) [33 fl℥, 391♏]. Mix the powder with eight hundred cubic centimeters (800 Cc.) [27 fl℥, 25 ♏] of alcohol, and macerate for 7 days, in a closed vessel; then filter through paper, adding, through the filter, enough alcohol to make the tincture measure one thousand cubic centimeters (1000 Cc.) [33 fl℥, 391♏]"—(U. S. P.). This tincture is of a brown-red color, and is acid in reaction. With water it produces an opalescent mixture. The cosmetic preparation, known as LAC VIRGINIS, or Virgin's milk, is prepared by mixing various amounts of rose water (from 20 to 100 parts) with 1 part of tincture of benzoin.

Action, Medical Uses, and Dosage.—This agent was formerly extensively used in catarrhal affections of the breathing and urinary organs and digestive tube. By atomization, or by inhalation with steam, it sometimes gives relief in acute and chronic laryngitis and bronchitis, particularly if there be fetid expectoration. Tincture of benzoin is stimulant and protecting in the early stage of coryza. It has been applied with advantage to irritable ulcers, bed-sores, sore nipples, and, with glycerin, to chapped hands and face, for freckles, and other cutaneous eruptions, excoriations, and abrasions, and irritable condition of the parts about the anus; also to allay the itching of eczema, urticaria, and chilblains.

Tinctura Benzoini Composita (U. S. P.)—Compound Tincture of Benzoin.

SYNONYMS: Tinctura balsamica, Elixir traumaticum, Balsamum commendatoris.

Preparation.—"Benzoin, in coarse powder, one hundred and twenty grammes (120 Gm.) [4 ozs. av., 102 grs.]; purified aloes, in coarse powder, twenty. grammes (20 Gm.) [309 grs.]; storax, eighty grammes (80 Gm.) [2 ozs. av., 360 grs.]; balsam of tolu, forty grammes (40 Gm.) [1 oz. av., 180 grs.]; alcohol, a sufficient quantity to make one thousand cubic centimeters (1000 c.) [33 fl℥, 391♏]. Mix the benzoin, aloes, storax, and balsam of tolu with eight hundred cubic centimeters (800 Cc.) [27 fl℥, 25♏] of alcohol, and digest the mixture, at a temperature not exceeding 65° C. (149° F.), for 2 hours in a closed vessel; then filter through paper, adding, through the filter, enough alcohol to make the tincture, when cold, measure one thousand cubic centimeters (1000 Cc.) 133 fl℥, 391♏]"—(U. S. P.). Compound tincture of benzoin has a deep brownish-red color, and an acid reaction. When added to water, it produces an opaque mixture.

Action, Medical Uses, and Dosage.—A preparation similar to this has been known under various names, as Balsamum traumaticum, Jesuits' drops, Wound balsam, Commander's balsam, Friar's balsam, etc. It is used as an expectorant in old coughs and catarrhs. Compound tincture of benzoin is advised by inhalation, with steam, for the relief of acute and chronic laryngitis, and in chronic bronchial irritation, with free and fetid secretion. It was formerly used as a stimulating application to obstinate ulcers. Internally, the dose is from 1/2 to 1 or 2 fluid drachms. Turlington's balsam, a well-known remedy, was composed of benzoin, 6 ounces; liquid storax, 2 ounces; Socotrine aloes, 1/2 ounce; Peruvian balsam, 1 ounce; myrrh, 1/2 ounce; angelica root, 2 drachms; balsam of tolu, 2 ounces; extract of liquorice, 2 ounces; alcohol, 4 pints. Mix, digest for 10 days, and strain (Jour. of Phila. Col. of Pharm., Vol. V, p. 28). It is an improper application to fresh wounds, though it is often applied to excoriations and abrasions, and to sore nipples, as a protective. It sometimes relieves the itching of chilblains, eczema, and urticaria, and, combined with glycerin, is a useful application for chapped hands and face. This balsam is designed to represent the once popular preparation known by the above-given names, and as Swedish, Persian, Wade's, St. Victor's, and Vervain's balsams.

King's American Dispensatory, 1898, was written by Harvey Wickes Felter, M.D., and John Uri Lloyd, Phr. M., Ph. D.