520 



THE MODERN SYSTEM 



OLEUM TERIBINTHINA. 



OIL OF TURPENTINE. 



Take of common Turpentine - - 5 lbs. 



"Water - ... 4 ounces 



Distil the oil from a copper alembic with 

 great care, what remains in the retort is 

 resin. 



Medicinal Uses. — Diuretic ; Stimulant, 

 given in doses from two drams to one ounce, 

 this acts as a diuretic; but in doses from 

 four ounces to eight it acts as a stimulant to 

 the intestines in cases of gripes. Applied 

 to the skin, it is a violent irritant ; but com- 

 bined with olive oil, it forms a useful embro- 

 cation. 



OPIUM. 



OPIUM. 



The white poppy, of which this is the pro- 

 duce, is a native of Asia ; but is sometimes 

 found growing wild in England. The market 

 is principally supplied with opium from 

 Turkey, though the poppy is cultivated in 

 almost all states in Europe. To obtain opium, 

 the half ripe capsules have all, after sunset, 

 longitudinal excisions made in them ; the 

 night dews favour the exudation of the juice, 

 which is collected in the morning by means 

 of a small iron scoop ; it is then deposited 

 into an earthern pot, where the whole is 

 worked by the hand, in the sunshine, until 

 it has acquired a considerable degree of 

 spissitude ; it is then formed into cakes, which 

 are laid in basons, to be farther dried. Then 

 they are covered with tobacco or poppy 

 leaves, and packed in chests, in which state 

 they are brought to this country. 



Medicinal Uses. — Producing but little 

 effect on the Horse, none as a narcotic, like 



the narcotic of the human subject, generally 

 acting as an irritant. It is very seldom em- 

 ployed at the College ; very little good effects 

 have resulted from its use. The tincture is 

 sometimes employed in ophthalmia. 



PETROLEUM. 



BARBADOES TAR. 



This variety of bitumen is collected from 

 the surface of water, which exudes from the 

 sides of hills, in which pits are sunk for its 

 reception, and skimmed every week. The 

 greatest quantity is produced in the East 

 Indies. 



Medicinal Uses. — Stimulant. It is applied 

 externally, but possesses no advantage over 

 common tar, which by some means or other 

 is compounded at the College. 



PIX NIGRA. 



BLACK PITCH. 



This is the residue in the retort after the 

 distillation of the oil from tar. 



Medicinal Uses. — Slightly stimulant, and 

 adhesive ; but seldom used. 



PIX LIQUIDA. 



TAR. 



This is obtained by placing billets of the 

 Scotch fir in large stacks, which are covered 

 with the turf, and to which fire is then ap- 

 plied. They are suffered to burn with a slow 

 smothered flame ; during which time tar is 

 formed by the decomposition of the resinous 

 juice of the wood, which flows to the bottom, 

 and runs out at a small channel cut for the 

 purpose. 



Medicinal Uses. — Stimulant applied ex- 

 ternally, entering into the composition of 

 Unguentum Picis Liquida. 



