172 OLEA ETHIOPIA 



protect the surface from the action of the air. Smeared over the 

 skin it has been sometimes thought to be a preventive of the plague. 



Olive oil is also largely used in pharmacy in the preparation of 

 the omcial Hard and Soft Soaps, and as one source of Glycerine. 



As olive oil is not a drying oil, and not readily becoming 

 rancid, it is very useful for greasing delicate machinery, more 

 especially watches and clocks. For this purpose, however, the 

 fluid portion or oleine is alone used. " To prepare it for the latter 

 purpose the oil is cooled and the more liquid portion poured off, 

 a piece of sheetlead is then immersed in this, and it is exposed in 

 a corked bottle to the action of sunshine. A white matter 

 gradually separates, after which the oil becomes clear and colour- 

 less, and is fit for use." (Brande.) Or, it may be obtained by 

 pressing the solid portion of frozen oil between layers of bibulous 

 paper, and then squeezing the paper under water, when the oleine 

 collects upon the surface. 



In the olive countries of Europe the oil is consumed to an 

 enormous extent as a food substance, but in this country and in 

 the United States its dietetical uses are very limited. 



OTHER PRODUCTS OF THE OLIVE TREE. In warm countries a 

 resin-like substance exudes spontaneously from olive trees. This 

 was formerly described by Dioscorides as the tears of the ^Ethiopic 

 olive ; and in modern times it has been called olive gum or Lecca 

 gum. Formerly it was thought to possess useful medicinal 

 properties, but it is not now employed. 



The leaves and the young bark have been employed externally 

 as astringents and antiseptics, and internally as tonics in inter- 

 mittents. According to Mr. Maltass, of Smyrna, a decoction of 

 olive leaves made by boiling two handfuls in a quart of water 

 until reduced to half a pint, has been very successfully used in the 

 Levant in the treatment of obstinate cases of fevers. Others have 

 also testified to the febrifuge properties of the leaves as well as to 

 that of the bark. 



Olive wood is beautifully veined, and has an agreeable odour ; it 

 is much esteemed by cabinet makers for these reasons, and on 

 account of the fine polish of which it is susceptible. 



