260 PINUS LARIX 



The principal constituents of larch bark are tannic acid, a 

 volatile crystallizable principle called larixin or larimnic acid, and 

 a little turpentine, which is described below. 



Medical Properties and Uses. Larch bark is regarded as 

 stimulant, astringent, and diuretic, and is supposed to have a 

 direct tendency to the mucous membranes. It has been especially 

 recommended as an internal remedy to check profuse passive 

 expectoration in cases of chronic bronchitis ; in haemoptysis, and 

 other forms of internal haemorrhage ; and in cystitis and purpura. 

 It has also been used as an external application in chronic eczema, 

 psoriasis, and some other cutaneous affections. 



Besides its medical properties, larch bark is sometimes used in 

 tanning. 



OTHER PRODUCTS OF THE LAECH TREE. A kind of turpentine 

 which is commonly known as Larch or Venice Turpentine, is 

 obtained as follows : In the spring a narrow hole is bored to the 

 centre of the stem of the larch tree, at about a foot from the 

 ground ; the hole is then stopped up, and in the autumn of the 

 same or following year, the oleo-resin which has then exuded, is 

 collected with an iron spoon. It is chiefly contained in the heart- 

 wood, and is principally obtained in the Tyrol ; but occasionally 

 in parts of Switzerland, Piedmont, and France. 



Venice turpentine is a thick, honey-like, slightly turbid fluid. 

 It has a pale yellowish colour ; an odour which resembles common 

 turpentine, but weaker and not so agreeable; and an aromatic, 

 somewhat acrid, bitter taste. It thickens but very slowly when 

 exposed to the air, and does not harden when mixed with mag- 

 nesia. It dissolves entirely in alcohol. It consists of volatile 

 oil and resin. 



Venice turpentine is common on the Continent, but that sold in 

 England and in the United States, is almost always spurious ; 

 being a mixture of common resin and oil of turpentine ; and dis- 

 tinguished readily from the genuine drug by its stronger 

 turpentine odour, and by drying into a hard varnish when spread 

 out on a piece of paper. 



Its properties and uses appear to be the same as other 



