TEREBINTHINJE OLEUM 601 



II. OIL OF TURPENTINE. Oleum Terebinthinse. 



The oil distilled from the oleo-resin, obtained from Pinus 

 sylvestris, and other species of pinus. 



The crude turpentines when heated, as they usually are, by 

 steam, yield 15 to 25 per cent, of oil of turpentine, some- 

 times improperly called spirit of turpentine. It is a mixture 

 of several hydrocarbons (terpenes) having the composition 

 C 10 H 16 . It is limpid, with a strong, peculiar odour and a 

 pungent, bitter taste. It commences to boil at about 

 320 Fahr. According to its source, it varies in its odour, 

 specific gravity, boiling point, and effect on polarised light. 

 It is very inflammable, burning with a heavy yellow flame 

 and producing much smoke. It is insoluble in water, 

 soluble in 6J of alcohol, and readily dissolved in ether, 

 chloroform, glacial acetic acid, fixed and volatile oils. It 

 is a valuable solvent for wax, resins, fats, many alkaloids, 

 iodine, and phosphorus. 



It is the representative of a large group of terpenes, in- 

 cluding the volatile oils of chamomile, caraway, juniper, 

 lemons, pepper, savin, thyme, tolu, and valerian all of 

 which have the formula C 10 H 16 . In common with other 

 terpenes, it is convertible into isomerides, oxidises on 

 exposure to air, forming camphoric peroxide ; with water 

 produces crystalline hydrates ; and with hydrochloric 

 acid forms crystalline compounds. By this action of 

 hydrochloric acid on turpentine artificial camphor is 

 produced. 



Terebene (C 10 H 16 ), a mixture of dipentene and other 

 hydrocarbons, obtained by agitating oil of turpentine with 

 successive quantities of sulphuric acid, and then distilling 

 in a current of steam ; is less disagreeable and acrid to 

 the taste, and optically inactive. It has the same medicinal 

 properties. 



ACTIONS AND USES. Oil of turpentine has the group 

 actions of a volatile oil. It is an antiseptic topical irritant 

 and disinfectant, and is used as a rubefacient and vesicant. 

 Large doses are irritant and narcotic. Medicinal doses are 

 antiseptic, stimulant, especially of mucous and skin sur- 

 faces, antispasmodic, haemostatic, anthelmintic, and anti- 



