366 A COMPENDIUM OF 
where the plant is cultivated for its oil. The 
herb only yields about 1 per cent, and therefore 
the oil commands a good price, and is liable to 
adulteration, the most frequent adulterants be- 
ing turpentine and oil of fleabane. The genu- 
ine oil is of a pale yellow color, inclining to a 
greenish tinge, with a specific gravity of about 
0.90, having the odor of the herb, with a warm, 
aromatic taste, afterward becoming cool to the 
tongue and fauces. The oil of Erigeron is de- 
tected by being insoluble in alcohol, and pro- 
ducing a milky solution. To detect all the 
adulterants is not easy, therefore we will refer 
you to the dispensatory. The oil boils at 410° 
F., and deposits crystals of menthol (which is 
the camphor) at 24° below zero. The Chinese 
oil is nearly all composed of menthol, and is 
rarely found fluid. The medical effects are 
stimulating and carminative. Dose, from 2 to 
6 drops. Off. Prep., AQUA, ESSENCE, PILLS RHEI 
CO., SPIRITS, and TROCHES, 
Oleum Menthe Viridis, Spearmint Oil. 
This is distilled from the entire plant, Menthe 
Viridis.—Natural order Labiate. Largely dis- 
tilled in this country, and occurs as a pale yel- 
low or greenish fluid when recently prepared, 
but by exposure and age assumes a mahogany 
color. The odor not unlike the peppermint, 
but the taste is milder and more agreeable; 
specific gravity 0.95, and boils at 437° F. Like 
many oils of the same class, it contains a hydro- 
carbon, stearoptene, and terpene. 'The dose, as 
a carminative, is about 6 drops (0.36 gram). 
Rarely given in this form, but as an adjuvant 
