OILS. 255 
housia citriodora appears to consist principally of the previously 
mentioned ketone.” 
Queensland. 
5. Eucalyptus spp., N.O., Myrtacez, 
“Eucalyptus Oil.” 
The remarks which appear in journals in regard to experi- 
ments with Eucalyptus oil do not allude, as a very general rule, to 
the oil of any particular species of Eucalypt. The oils from some 
of the commonest species appear to be more or less similar, but 
there are most important differences between some of them, and 
each will be described under its species-name. The following 
preliminary remarks apply to Eucalyptus oils in general. See also 
remarks under the head of “ Eucalyptus.” (‘‘Drugs.””) Eucalyptus 
oil is only obtained, in practice, from the leaves; (it is also con- 
tained in the flower-buds.) In Payen’s Jndustrial Chemistry 
(Paul), p. 724, it is said to be obtained in part from the flowers. 
This is scarcely correct, except as a theoretical source. 
Robert has made a number of experiments with Eucalyptus 
oil, and comes to the conclusion that it possesses the power to 
destroy bacteria or animal life, and can well be classed with 
antiseptics. In order to test the properties of volatile antiseptics 
on animal life found in decomposing liquids, he made a number 
of experiments with an infusion of hay-seeds placed in a bottle 
and exposed to the atmosphere; in the course of a few days the 
liquid became turbid and slimy, but if a few drops of the oil of 
Eucalyptus were added the liquid remained clear. The oil being 
volatile, some micrococci were exposed to the vapour, the action 
of which caused a destruction of the animalcules. Some 
surgeons have employed a spray of Eucalyptus. oil during 
operations, thereby destroying every possibility of germs entering 
from the surrounding atmosphere; the wound is then dressed in 
the ordinary manner, and the results have been very promising. 
(Med. Chirurg., Cent. blatt.) 
As an antiseptic, it has the advantage over carbolic acid that 
it is not caustic; also, it is more than three times as powerful as 
that substance in preventing the development of bacteria; and is, 
