520 VEGETABLE DRUGS 



camphoraceous taste. It becomes darker and thicker by age 

 and exposure to the air. Spec. gr. 0.910-0.940. Soluble in 

 an equal volume of alcohol and glacial acetic acid. It is 

 composed of several terpenes. 



I)ose.-B.. & C, 3ii.-iv. (8.-15.); D., ITLi-v. (.06-.3). 



Administration. — The oil is given in capsules or pills to 

 small animals ; in emulsion with gum, or in bland oil, to the 

 larger animals. 



Action External. — The oil is a powerful irritant to the 

 skin, producing redness, vesication and even pustula- 

 tion. 



Action Internal. — The oil resembles oil of turpentine, but 

 is more irritating. Full doses cause gastric stimulation, 

 reflex circulatory excitement, and frequent micturition. 

 Toxic quantities occasion gastro-enteritis with vomiting (in 

 dogs), purging, colic, painful micturition, and the passage of 

 bloody, albuminous urine. There are also unconsciousness, 

 stertor, rapid breathing and pulse, convulsions and collapse. 

 Lesions of gastro-enteritis are observable after death, except 

 in rare cases, when only congestion of the brain and Inngs 

 occur. The oil is eliminated by the skin and bronchial 

 mucous membrane, but chiefly by the kidneys, with con- 

 sequent stimulation of the genito-urinary organs. The uterus 

 and ovaries are irritated and congestion of them follows with 

 acceleration of ovulation. The oil also excites uterine con- 

 tractions in the pregnant state. The drug is therefore an 

 emmenagogue and ecbolic. 



Uses. — The Unguentum (B.P.) may be applied exter- 

 nally as a counter-irritant. The oil is occasionally employed 

 as an anthelmintic, but is inferior to other agents for this 

 purpose. It may be given in atonic ammenorrhoea, or in 

 metrorrhagia due to uterine relaxation, with benefit, but it 

 should be used cautiously. The oil is not to be used 

 as an abortifacient, since sufficient doses to cause abor- 

 tion will usually endanger the life of the mother or foetus, 

 or both. 



