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The value of compound tincture of benzoin as a healing agent in the treatment of indolent ulcers, bedsores, cracked nipples and fissures of the lips, the fingers and the toes has long been recognized by physicians. Although useful in many conditions if the skin is intact, local application of the undiluted tincture to broken tissues produces considerable irritation because of the high alcoholic content of the pharmacopoeial tincture. Dilutions of compound tincture of benzoin with glycerin and water have been suggested in the literature for use when the undiluted tincture is contraindicated.
Because such dilutions are pharmaceutically incompatible, ointments containing compound tincture of benzoin have gained popularity in the treatment of many conditions which do not permit the application of the official tincture per se. However, the full possibilities of these preparations have not been realized, because only relatively small quantities of the tincture are ordinarily prescribed in them,