Cooley's Cyclopædia of Practical Receipts and Collateral Information in the Arts, Manufactures, Professions, and Trades..., Sixth Edition, Volume I

by Arnold James Cooley; Richard Vine Tuson

Balsam of Fern. Oil of male fern.

Balsam of Fiovaren′ti. Syn. Bal′samum Fiovaren′ti, L. Prep. (P. Cod.) Venice turpentine, 16 oz.; amber, elemi, galbanum, myrrh, styrax, and tacamahaca, of each 3 oz.; aloes, 1 oz.; bay-berries, 4 oz.; cinnamon, cloves, galangal, ginger, nutmegs, and zedoary, of each 1¹⁄₂ oz.; dittany of Crete, 1 oz.; rectified spirit, 8 lbs.; macerate a week and distil off 7 lbs. The distilled spirit constitutes this notable preparation of, professedly, many virtues. It is reputed aromatic, diuretic, antispasmodic, and stimulant. One of its applications is as a collyrium—a drop or two being rubbed on the palm of the hands, which are then held to the eyes, so as to cover, without touching them—in chronic ophthalmia, conjunctivitis, &c.

Balsam of Gil′ead. See Balsam of Mecca.

Balsam of Gua′iacum (gwā-yă-). Syn. Bal′samum guai′aci, B. guaiaci′num, L. Prep. (Ph. L. 1745.) Gum-guaiacum, 1 lb.; balsam of Peru, 3 dr.; rectified spirit, 1 quart; digest 10 days and filter. Diaphoretic, arthrodynic, and anodyne.—Dose, 30 to 60 drops, in milk or water; in agues, rheumatism, &c. Externally, reputed also anti-suppurative.

Balsam of Honey. Syn. Pec′toral balsam, P. b. of honey; Bal′samum mel′lis, B. pectora′le, B. p. mellis, L.; Baume de miel, &c., Fr. Prep. 1. Balsam of tolu, 1 lb.; honey (finest), 2¹⁄₂ lbs.; rectified spirit, 1 gall.; turmeric, 1 oz.; make a tincture.

2. To the last, before maceration, add of powdered opium, 2 oz.

3. (Hill’s.) See Patent Medicines. Uses, &c. A good pectoral in colds, tickling chronic coughs, hoarseness, &c., when unaccompanied with fever.—Dose. For an adult, ¹⁄₂ to 1 teaspoonful, twice or thrice a day; an occasional dose of some mild aperient being also taken. Tincture of balsam of tolu, or a mixture of the tinctures of tolu and benzoin, is frequently sold in the shops under the name of ‘balsam of honey.’ See Pectoral Balsam, &c.

Balsam of Hore′hound. Syn. Bal′samum marru′bii, L. Prep. 1. Extracts of horehound and liquorice, of each 2 oz.; hot water, ¹⁄₂ pint; dissolve, and when cold, add of paregoric, ³⁄₄ pint; oxymel of squills, 6 oz.; tincture of benzoin, 2 oz.; honey, 10 oz.; and, after thorough admixture, strain through flannel.

2. (Ford’s.) See Patent Medicines.

Uses, &c. A popular pectoral.—Dose, &c., same as of BALSAM OF HONEY (above).