594 PEPPERMINT MENTHOL 



effects on intestinal parasites and those ingested with the 

 food, such as flukes and strongyles. The oil mixed with 

 lard and applied to exposed wounds prevents irritation from 

 flies. 



DOSES, etc. Of the fruit, as a stomachic, horses and 

 cattle take i. to gij. ; sheep, 3ij- to 3 iv - 5 dogs, grs. xx. 

 to grs. xl., repeated twice a day, in electuary or bolus. The 

 fruit is readily eaten by most animals, especially by sheep. 

 A decoction, made from the fruit, is occasionally prescribed, 

 and also used as an external stimulant. As a diuretic the 

 oil is the best form. Horses and cattle take %i. to 3iJ- > 

 dogs, TT[v. to H\x., which may be repeated at intervals of 

 three hours till diuresis is induced. Of the spirit, as a 

 carminative and stomachic, cattle and horses take "^iv. to 

 j. ; sheep, 39- to 3iv. ; dogs, H\xx. to 3J-> in oil, or mixed 

 with other medicines. 



PEPPERMINT 



OLEUM MENTHJE PIPERITJE. Oil of Peppermint. The oil j 

 distilled from the fresh flowering peppermint, Mentha 

 piperita (B.P.). Nat. Ord. Labiatse. 



The natural order Labiatse furnishes peppermint, spear- 

 mint, pennyroyal, lavender, rosemary, marjoram, and 

 thyme ; and from these plants, when fresh flowering, 

 aromatic, antiseptic, volatile oils are obtained. Similar oils 

 are extracted from the leaves of various Myrtacese, from the 

 petals of roses, from the flowers and fruit of various Rutaceae, * 

 and from the seeds of various Umbelliferae. 



Of the Labiatse volatile oils peppermint is the most com- 

 monly used. The fresh plant yields 1 to T25 per cent, of 

 the colourless or pale yellow oil, characterised by its warm 

 aromatic taste and subsequent sensation of coldness. It 

 consists of two isomeric oils the fluid menthene (C 10 H 18 ), 

 and the crystalline menthol (C 10 H 19 .OH), which is homo- 

 logous with thymol, obtained from the volatile oil of thyme. 



ACTIONS AND USES. Oil of peppermint is a typical volatile 

 oil ; it is an antiseptic, topical stimulant and anaesthetic, 

 carminative, antispasmodic, and parasiticide. It is moi 



