A handbook of local therapeutics / edited by Harrison Allen.

Date:
1893
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: A handbook of local therapeutics / edited by Harrison Allen. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    147/554 (page 135)
    BENZOIN. Diseases of the Nose, Throat, etc.—Benzoin is used in the respiratory tract in the form of the powdered gum, the compound tincture, and benzoated lard. Michel, of Hamburg (5p. Versammlung der Deutschen Naturforscher und Aerzfe, 1886), believes that when applied to the nostrils pulverized benzoin mly check the evolution of Whooping Cough. But since he recommends that a small proportion of nitrate of silver and sulphate of quinine be added, it becomes difficult to ascertain the impression made by the benzoin. In the form of the compound tincture, benzoin is largely used in Catarrhal Affections of the Pharynx and Larynx. In the form of a gargle eight drops to an ounce of water are recommended to obtain a minimum impression. Equal parts of the tincture and water may be pre- scribed, the patient diluting to suit the taste. In the form of inhalation forty to sixty minims are added to a half pint of water at 145° F. It can be used freely. The indications for the above fluid preparations are either acute inflammation or the relaxed condition which is often found at the end of an acute attack. It is, moreover, valuable in the irritability of the general mucous surfaces of the throat attending inflammation of any grade. In vocalists who suffer from hoarseness, the result of over- use of the throat, it is one of the most popular of remedies. The tincture makes a good application to spongy gums. M. Mackenzie uses a solution of one part of gum benzoin to five parts of spirit as a varnish to Diphtheritic Deposits ; the membrane should be first dried with blotting paper before the application is made. F. Barker found the tincture of benzoin promptly efficacious in the Epistaxis of young children after other remedies had failed. The application is followed by some pain, both in the nose and the ear of the affected side, which soon passes off. The compound tincture mixes well with glycerin and cosmoline. In the latter form it has been used by A. S. Houghton {/our. Am. Med Ass'n, Nov. 7, 1885) as an in- halant. A. Kebbell {Brii. Med. Jour., Feb. 28, 1885) claims that to hold a bottle containing tincture of benzoin to one nostril and close the other, the patient inspiring deeply, relieves troublesome symptoms and cuts short attacks of acute coryza. Inhalations of benzoin are very popular in acute catarrhal inflammation of the upper respiratory passages. The compound tincture is ordinarily used in the proportion of one drachm to a pint of water at 140° F. The sedative action is increased by the addition of a half drachm of chloro- form. If an increased stimulating effect is desired, a drachm of the oil of the Pinus sylvestris may be added (Lefferts). A convenient domestic form of inhalation for acute inflammation of the throat is the following :