35 MATERIA MEDIC A AND THERAPEUTICS. 



and as a remote disinfectant and deodorant in foul discharges 

 from the bronchi and lungs, through which it is probably in 

 part excreted. 



Juniperi Oleum OIL OF JUNIPER, The oil 

 distilled in Britain from the unripe fruit of Juniperus 

 communis. 



Characters of the fruit. The size of a large pea, of a 

 blackish- purple colour, covered by a glaucous bloom ; marked 

 with a tri-radiate groove. Taste sweetish, terebinthinate ; 

 odour agreeable and balsamic. 



Characters of the oil. Colourless, or pale greenish-yellow, 

 of a sweetish odour and warm aromatic taste. 



Composition. Juniper berries contain the officinal volatile 

 oil, a quantity of grape sugar, resin, and colouring matter. The 

 oil is a complex compound of terpenes and camphors. 



Dose. 1 to 3 min. 



Preparation. 



Spiritus Juniperi. 1 in 50. Dose, 30 to 60 min. 

 Spiritus Juniperi is contained in Mistura Creasoti. 



ACTION AND USES. 



The physiological action of juniper naturally resembles 

 closely that of turpentine, but its remote local stimulant 

 action on the kidney is peculiarly marked, whilst this drug is 

 neither disagreeable nor dangerously powerful like the other. 

 Thus it acts as a stomachic, stimulant, and anti-spasmodic ; is 

 absorbed into the blood ; is excreted in the urine, to which it 

 imparts a violet odour; acts as a direct diuretic, increasing 

 both solids and water ; and in large doses causes strangury and 

 renal inflammation. 



Juniper is used almost entirely as a diuretic in dropsy not 

 dependent on acute renal disease, i.e. in cardiac and hepatic 

 dropsy, and in some cases of chronic Bright's disease. It is 

 best given combined with saline diuretics, or in the form of 

 " Hollands." 



Sabinae Cacumina SAVIN TOPS. The tresii 

 and dried tops of Juniperus Sabina. Collected in 

 spring, from plants cultivated in Britain. 



Characters. Twigs, densely covered with minute imbri- 



