258 AUSTRALIAN. NATIVE PLANTS. 
Eucalyptus oil in general is employed, usually mixed with an 
equal quantity of olive oil, as a rubefacient in cases of rheumatism, 
lumbago, sciatica, chronic hepatitis, asthma, bronchitis and sprains. 
It is also an anthelmintic, 30 to 60 minims being injected per anum 
in mucilage of starch. It has been successfully used in the treat- 
ment of diphtheria, not that it possesses any specific action in this 
disease, but “in its local action it seems to be all that can be 
desired.” 
It has also been recommended for deodorising iodoform and 
other drugs. It has been largely used in gynzecological practice 
in America, with good results. 
In diphtheria, a mixture of 5 grammes of oil, 25 grammes of 
rectified spirit, and 170 grammes of water used for 10 inhalations, 
or equal parts of the oil and rectified spirit, of which 10 to 60 
drops were used for an inhalation. (Medical Times and Gazette, 
ii., 1879, 214. See also Lance?, ii., 1883, 362.) 
In gynecological practice pessaries, composed of six drachms 
of Eucalyptus oil, and four drachms each of oil of theobroma and 
white wax divided into twelve, one night and morning, or at night 
only, found useful after parturition, checks fetor and decomposition 
of lochial discharge; and five minims of Eucalyptus oil mixed with 
20 of olive oil, used and recommended as a hypodermic injection 
for pyemia. (Lancet, ii., 1882, 343, quoted by Martindale and 
Westcott.) 
The following preparation is to be found in the British 
Pharmacopeia (1885) :— 
“ Oleum Eucalypti (oil of Eucalyptus). 
The oil distilled from the fresh leaves of Eucalyptus 
globulus (Labill.), Eucalyptus amygdalina (Labill.), and probably 
other species of Eucalyptus. 
Characters and Tests. Colourless, or pale straw-coloured, 
becoming darker and thicker by exposure. It has an aromatic 
odour, and a spicey and pungent flavour, leaving a sense of cold- 
ness in the mouth. Itis neutral to litmus paper. Specific gravity 
about goo. Soluble in about an equal weight of alcohol. Dose, 
one to four minims. Preparation, Unguentum Eucalypti. 
