In 1927 Russian combat surgeon Alexander Vishnevsky invented an ointment by mixing castor oil, birch tar and xeroform. Birch tar helps to improve blood circulation, xeroform is a well known non-adhesive аntіsерtіс and castor oil has a great skin soothing properties. The cream has great wound healing properties. Vishnevsky called it Balsamic Liniment. The remedy gained immense popularity right away and has received unofficial simplified name - "Vishnevsky ointment''.*