ERICACEA. 327 
_ism. It was apparently first used for this purpose by Mr. 
Casamayor of Brooklyn, N. Y. (Hphemeris, i. 80), and next 
by Dr. Kinnicutt of New York (Med. Record, xxii. 505). 
Twelve cases of acute articular rheumatism treated by the 
latter gavé an average duration of the pyrexia of 3} days ; of 
the joint pains, 44 days; of the stay in hospital, 243 days. 
The oil was given at first in doses of 10 minims every two 
hours until eight doses had been taken, and afterwards the 
doses were increased as well as their frequency. ‘The reporter 
believes that his cases presented less than the usual proportion 
of heart-complications ; but if so, the oil must differ in its effects 
from its active element, salicylicacid. Dr, Austin Flint (Phila- 
Med. Times, xiii., 846,) and Dr. Gettheil (Med. Record, xxiv., 
258,) have reported analogous results. Dr. Waring (Brit. Med. 
Journ., June 6th, 1885) suggests the Indian oil for use as a 
stimulant, carminative and antiseptic. ; 
Dr. Charteris, after experimenting on the comparative action 
_of natural and artificial salicylic acid, concludes that the rest- 
lessness, confusion, delirium and retarded convalescence at- 
tendant on the nse of the acid and its sodium salt in acute 
rheumatism is due to the impurities of the acid prepared from 
coal-tar, and that natural salicylic acid and its salts are much 
safer remedies (Brit. Med. Journ., Nov. 1889). 
Description.—Oil of gaultheria is usually of a reddish 
colour, but may be obtained colourless by rectification. Ac- 
cording to I. E. Leonard (1884), the colour is usually due to 
the presence of a little iron, and is readily removed by citric 
acid. Ithas a strong and agreeable aromatic odour and a 
sweetish, warm, aromatic taste, and begins to boil at a little 
above 200° C. Its specific gravity is 17180 at 15°C. Occa- 
sionally, oil of gaultheria is lighter (1° 70), in consequence of 
containing a light hydrocarbon, but the extent of this variation 
has not been fully determined. The oil is neutral or faintly 
acid to test-paper ; has a slight dextrogyre rotation, and dis- 
via readily in alcohol and but to a small degree in water; 
the solutions acquire a dark-purple celour.on the addition of 
ferric chloride. The a is not t coloured on the 
