'j6 EUCALYPTUS. 



Administration. The fluid extract is the most eligible form, and 

 contains most largely the medicinal principles. The dose is from 10 to 

 30 drops, and may be given in form of an emulsion, with syrup of acaciae. 



MATERIA MEDICA OF THE EUCALYPTUS OILS.* 

 The first effect of the oil when taken internally to the extent of 10 

 to 20 minims, is to stimulate the cerebro-spinal nervous system, large 

 doses produce genuine intoxication which passes into unconsciousness 

 and heavy sleep ; the reasonable antidote for an overdose is therefore a 

 eup of strong coffee. The oil possesses more powerful antiseptic proper- 

 ties than phenol (carbolic acid), and is accordingly used in an antiseptic 

 spray, and for antiseptic dressings ; it is not so irritating as phenol, but 

 possesses sufficient inflammatory power to render it a good rubefacient if 

 applied with friction. Considering its powerful antiseptic effect, its 

 poisonous action when taken internally is remarkably mild, so that there 

 is no danger from its absorption by even a large wound surface ; when it 

 is carefully purified as much as ^4 oz. can be taken diluted with no more 

 serious results than considerable depression. An idea of its antiseptic 

 powers may be gathered from the fact that i l / 2 parts in 1000 arrest the 

 development of bacteria in a vegetable infusion. Its effect on the blood 

 is powerful, it diminishes the power of the red corpuscles to absorb 

 oxygen, as can be shown by the darkening of red blood when even very 

 dilute eucalyptus oil is added to it ; it also destroys the contractility of 

 the white blood corpuscles. Many small animals are paralyzed by the 

 mere vapor, so that the value of the eucalyptus oil as an anthelmintic or 

 vermifuge can be understood. The following formulae were given by 

 Mr. Bosisto in a paper on the " Materia Medica of the Kucalyptus," pub- 

 lished in the Australian Medical Journal, 1885, p. 441 : 



For rheumatism, sciatica, lumbago, asthma and sprains requiring a 

 strong liniment : 



R Ol. eucalypti 

 Vaseline ". 



Mi see. 



For the throat when it requires a mild liniment : 

 R Ol. eucalypti 



Ol. olivic 

 Misce. 



The addition of the olive oil prevents irritation of the skin. The 

 vaseline is to be warmed before mixing. 



In its internal use for coughs, asthmatic difficulty of breathing or 

 sore throat, 5-drop doses on loaf sugar are recommended to be taken 

 occasionally. For stronger doses : 



R 01. eucalypti ................................................................... ^j. 



Pulv. gum acaciae ............................................................ 5iij. 



Saccharum ..................................................................... %ss. 



Aq. cinnamon ............................................................ ad. 5iv. 



Misce. Dose, one-halt ounce for an adult every four or six hours. 

 * Win. Sutherland, M. A., B. S., in the Chemist and Druggist, March, 1887. 



