202 LAUR TNE^. 



w 



Chemical compof^ition. — Camplior^ C^^PI^^O, by treatment witli 

 various reagents, yields a number of interesting products ; thus, 

 Avhen repeatedly distilled with chloride of zinc or anhydrous 

 phosphoric acid, it is converted into Cymene or Cymot, C^^H^*, 

 a body contained in many essential oils, or obtainable therefrom. 

 Camphor^ and also camphor oil, when subjected to powerful 

 oxidising agents, absorbs oxygen, passing gradually into 

 crystallized Camphoric acid, C'^H^^O* or C'H'* (COOII)', water 

 and carbonic acid being at the same time eliminated. Many 

 essential oils, resins, and gum-resins likewise yield these acids 

 when similarly treated. By means of less energetic oxidizers, 

 camphor may be converted into Oxy- camphor, C^^H^^O^ still 

 retaining its original odour and taste. [Pharmacographia.) For 

 a full account of the reactions of camphor audits derivatives, the 

 reader is referred to Waits'' Diet, of Chem., 2nd Ed., Vol. I-, 

 p. 669. The constituents of camphor oil found up to the present 



are: 



Boiling point. 



Constituent. 



Formula. 



158°— 162° 



Pinene, 



CioH'S 



170° 



Phellandrcnc 



Qio H"5 



176° 



Cineol. 



CtoH'^O 



180° 



Dipentfne. ^ 



C'°H'° 



204° 



Camphor. 



Qio H'^0 



2lu° 218° 



Terpincol. 



CIO H'^OH 



232° 



Safrol, 



CioH'^O^ 



248° 



Eugenol. 





274° 



Sesquiterpene. 



Qis H'^* 



Tbm-o/o^^.- -Instances of poisoning by camplior are rare, 

 and, as far as \re are aware, no cases have been reported o 

 by Chemical Examiners in India. In large doses camphor 

 causes excitement and delirium with dilated pupils and some- 

 times convulsions. The mucous membrane of the sfomac 

 may be inflamed, but characteristic lesions appear to he 

 abiout. 



Co»?>»c;tp.— The crude camphor of commerce is largely niaiui- 

 factured in Central China, Formosa, and Japan, and is exported 



