102-3 
Oil of Gaultheria. This body is a mixture of the volatile oil of the plant, 
salicylate of methyl, gaultherilene and gaultheric acid, forming the heaviest of the 
known essential oils, its sp. gr. being 1.173. Unless purified by macerating in 
animal charcoal, it has a reddish color, and boils at 200° (392° F.). 
Gaultherilene, C,,H,,. This hydrocarbon is one of the constituents of the 
mixed oil, 
Gaultheric acid. Methyl-salicylic acid, C,H { O.CH, 
et Gut, 
salicylic acid, is obtained from the oil of wintergreen through the agency of an 
alkali. It crystallizes in plates, melting at 98.5° (209.3° F.). It is isomeric with 
the next, from which it differs by being a strong acid. 
: OH 
Salicylate of methyl, C,H, : CO.COH,. 
part of the compound oil distilling over after the passage of the volatile body 
when the temperature is raised to 222° (431.6° F.). It exists as an oily liquid, 
possessing a very pleasant penetrating odor and a sweet, aromatic, refreshing 
taste. (Schorlemmer, Wittstein.) All of the above constituents are soluble in 
alcohol. 
PHYSIOLOGICAL ACTION.—The following digest of the action of Gaulthe- 
ria is from Dr. T. J. Gallaher ) Wed. Ex., 8, 347) and Drs. W. E. Townsend and 
Hooker (ec. Boston Soc. Med. /mp.), the first from an overdose of the oil, the 
last from large amounts of the essence: Stupidity, swelling of the tongue and very 
active inflammation of the stomach, attended with a highly morbid desire for food, 
with a painful tenderness in the epigastric region and violent retching and vomit- 
ing whenever anything entered the stomach; slow, laborious breathing, with loud 
respiration, but no stertor; hot skin, high pulse and restlessness. 
This methyl-ether of 
This body constitutes the principal 
DESCRIPTION OF PLATE 102. 
1. A branch in flower, from Binghamton, N. Y., July 21st, 1882. 
2. A fruiting branch in October. 
3. Flower (enlarged). 
4. Flower (section enlarged). 
