A clear, colorless liquid, with an ethereal or faint petroleum odor; highly inflammable. Practically insoluble in water, freely soluble in alcohol and miscible with ether, chloroform, volatile oils and fixed oils with the exception of castor oil.
=*Benzoinum (Benzoin.), Benzoin, U.S.P.= (Gum Benjamin).--A balsamic resin.
ACTION AND USES: Used locally to promote healing, and in inhalations as an expectorant.
_Tinctura Benzoini (Tr. Benz.), Tincture of Benzoin, U.S.P._--Benzoin (20%) in alcohol. Absolute alcohol content about 83 per cent.
_*Tinctura Benzoini Composita (Tr. Benz. Co.), Compound Tincture of Benzoin, U.S.P._--Benzoin (10%), aloes (2%), storax (8%), balsam of tolu (4%), in alcohol. Absolute alcohol content about 80 per cent.
USES: Protective and local stimulant, especially by inhalation.
=*Benzosulphinidum (Benzosulphinid.), Benzosulphinide, U.S.P.= (Saccharin, Glusidum).
A white, nearly odorless powder with an intensely sweet taste even in dilute solutions. Slightly soluble (1:290) in water and soluble (1:31) in alcohol and readily dissolved by ammonia water or by a solution of alkali hydroxides or of sodium bicarbonate.
ACTION AND USES: Sweetening agent in diabetes mellitus; about 500 times as sweet as sugar, weight for weight.
=Berberis (Berber.), Berberis, N.F.= (Oregon Grape Root).--Rhizome and roots.
ACTION AND USES: Probably similar to, but without advantage over, hydrastis.
_Fluidextractum Berberidis (Fldext. Berberid.), Fluidextract of Berberis, N.F._--Berberis (100%). Absolute alcohol content about 40 per cent.
=Betaeucainae Hydrochloridum (Betaeucain. Hydrochl.), Betaeucaine Hydrochloride, U.S.P.= (Eucaine Chloride, Eucaine; also known as Benzamine Hydrochloride).
A white, odorless powder. Soluble in water (1:30) and in alcohol (1:35).
DOSAGE: In a 2 or 3 per cent. solution for the eye or 5 to 10 per cent. solution for the nose and throat.
=*Betanaphthol (Betanaph.), Betanaphthol, U.S.P.= (Naphthol).
Colorless or pale buff crystalline laminae or white or yellowish powder, with a faint phenol odor and a pungent taste. Only slightly soluble in water (1:1000) and very soluble in alcohol (1:0.8).
ACTION AND USES: Antiseptic, somewhat stronger than phenol and less toxic. Used in skin affections, and as intestinal antiseptic and anthelmintic for hookworm.