Burgundy Pitch

Burgundy Pitch, a resinous substance prepared from common Frankincense (q.v.), the spontaneous exudation of the Norway spruce-fir (Abies excelsa; see FIR) by melting it in hot water, by which means it is freed from a considerable part of the volatile oil which it contains. By straining it through a coarse cloth, impurities are also removed. Burgundy pitch is of a yellowish-white colour, hard and brittle when cold, but softening by the heat of the hand, and readily adhering to the skin. It has a not unpleasant resinous odour, and when pure, no bitter taste. It is used in medicine as an external application only, and generally acts as a mild irritant. A very common application of it is as a plaster in complaints of the chest, and in rheumatic complaints. It enters also as an ingredient with resin, oils, &c., into a compound plaster of similar use. The Burgundy pitch of commerce is now principally brought from Finland, Austria, and Switzerland; but the greater part of what is sold under that name is made by melting together pitch, rosin, and turpentine, and agitating with water, thereby imparting to it the necessary yellowish colour. This imitation may be distinguished from the genuine Burgundy pitch by its bitter taste, less agreeable odour, and by its not being soluble in twice its weight of glacial acetic acid.