BAL′SAM

(bawl′-săm; -sŭm‡§—Knowles, Walker). [Eng., Ger.] Syn. Bal′samum (băl′-), L.; Baume , Fr. Originally, any strong-scented oleo-resinous vegetable juice or exudation, of about the fluidity of treacle, and supposed to po e medicinal virtues. In modern chemistry and pharmacy , any vegetable production which is either semi-liquid, or which naturally becomes concrete, and which contains either benzoic acid, or cinnamic acid, combined with resin and aromatic e ential oil. Several of the substances popularly termed balsams contain no benzoic acid, and are consequently now cla ed with the turpentines. This distinction, however, is far from being universally adopted, and a late high authority defines balsams to be “Exudations from plants, which are liquid or soft solid, and consist of a substance resembling a resin, either combined with benzoic acid, or with an e ential oil, or both.” (Brande.) The leading properties of the true natural balsams are—Insolubility in water, almost entire solubility in alcohol, and partial solubility in ether and in the volatile and fixed oils; the po e ion of a powerful, and generally, an agreeable odour, a hot, resinous or terebinth in ate taste, and the usual stimulant and tonic properties of the milder turpentines. Distilled with water, ethereal oil and some acid pa over, and the residuum consists chiefly or entirely of acid-resin. The TRUE BALSAMS , as those of benzoin Peru, styrax, and tolu, and the celebrated Chinese varnish-balsam, contain either benzoic or cinnamic acid. Among those falsely termed balsams, are copaiba, opobalsam, Japan lac-varnish, and some of the turpentines. The following list includes most of the substances, natural and artificial, which pa , or have pa ed, under the name of balsams: [105] — [105] For articles and preparations often called ‘balsams’, and not found under this head, see Elixirs , Oils , Patent Medicines , Perfumery , Tinctures , . .