496 VEGETABLE DRUGS 



tus globulus Labillardiere, and of some other species of 

 eucalyptus (nat. ord. Myrtaceae). 



Derivation. — Crude eucalyptol distills over from eucalyp- 

 tus leaves at a temperature varying from 338° to 352° F., 

 and is purified by redistillation from potassium hydrate or 

 calcium chloride. 



Properties. — A colorless liquid, having a characteristic, 

 aromatic and distinctly camphoraceous odor, and a pungent, 

 spicy and cooling taste. Spec. gr. 0.930. Soluble in all 

 proportions, in alcohol. 



Dose, — Samo as oil of eucalyptus. 



ACTION OF EUCALYPTUS, OIL OF EUCALYPTUS AND EUCALYPTOL. 



External. — The oil is a powerful antiseptic and disinfect- 

 ant, and is even said to be three times more efficient in this 

 respect than carbolic acid. It is but slightly irritating to the 

 skin, unless its vapors are confined by bandaging, when it 

 may cause vesicles and pustules. Some local anaesthesia 

 follows primary skin irritation. 



Internal. — Digestive Tract. — Oil of eucalyptus excites 

 gastric and salivary secretion, and acts, both locally and 

 during elimination, as a stimulant to the mucous membrane 

 of the alimentary canal. Large doses occasion diarrhoea, 

 and the faecal discharges are impregnated with the odor of 

 the oil. It is a stomachic, carminative, antiseptic and 

 anodyne in the digestive tract. 



Circvlation. — Oil of eucalyptus arrests the amoeboid 

 movements of the white blood corpuscles, and diapedesis, in 

 inflammatory areas ; inhibits the growth of the plasmodia 

 malariae ; is an antipyretic and antiperiodic, and generally 

 comports itself like quinine ; but is nevertheless distinctly 

 inferior to it. Small doses reflexly stimulate the heart and 

 cause an increase in blood pressure; while toxic doses 

 depress the heart's action and lower vascular tension. 



Respiration. — Small doses accelerate the respiratory 

 movements. Large doses make the respiration slower and 

 'Weaker, and death ensues through respiratory failure. 



