BENZOIN

Friar's Balsam to be made thus :

Gum Benzoin, 31 ounces;

Strained Storax, 21 ounces

Balsam of Tolu, 10 drachms

Aloes, 5 drachms

rectified spirit, 2 pints

let it stand 14 days, shaking frequently, and before use.

This preparation is stimulant, expectorant, and antispasmodic, and is beneficial in old Asthmatic cases, chronic catarrh, and phthisis with a feeble circulation. The dose is about 1 a drachm in mucilage, or dropped upon Lump Sugar. Applied to wounds it stimulates gently, and protects from the action of the air. A piece of lint, or soft rag dipped into it, and wrapped round a cut finger, will produce smarting at first, yet it will commonly stay hemorrhage, and effect a cure without the necessity for another dress­ing, unless the wound be extremely severe. Probably Friar's Balsam was used by the monks of old time to dress the wounds of travellers, and others, who called and rested in their convents.