EUCALYPTUS SALUBRIS. 



on these subjects and to the power of this oil as an originator of biosyde of hydrogen and as a 

 carrier of ozone shall be alluded on the present occasion; and still further when a few other 

 Eucalypts, largely yielding essential oil, are coming in these pages under review. 



Dr. Hugo Schulz, University - Professor in Greifswald, has in a recent work " Das 

 Encalyptus-01, pharmacologisch und klinisch dargestellt," brought largely together what was 

 known till 1881 of the medicinal value of the oil of Eucalyptus, and enriched his treatise also with 

 numerous original observations. The whole medical history of this oil extends over less than 

 twenty years, although the very similar Oil of Cajuput from Melaleuca Leucodendron has been 

 used as a domestic remedy in India for some centuries, and has as a professional therapeutic been 

 recognized since the earlier part of the present secular epoch in Europe as well as elsewhere. 



Professor Cloez of the Paris University, nearly twenty years ago, from material furnished 

 him specially by the writer of this work, produced Eucalyptol, the chemical formula of which he 

 fixed as C^^H^'O ; he also isolated Eucalypten G^^W-^, the former of which particularly eligible for 

 distinct medicinal use. Professor Schulz's experiments were instituted with the oil of Eucalyptus 

 globulus ; but that of E. amygdalina is the one, which hitherto alone is extensive in commerce, 

 being as the least expensive so very largely exported since fally a dozen years from Mr. Joseph 

 Bosisto's factory, although that gentleman operates now also to a commercial extent on the oils 

 of the various Mallee-Eucalypts. Dr. Hugo Schulz for his exj)eriments freed the oil from 

 irritating acid and other extraneous products of distillation by shaking it with a diluted solution 

 of soda ; he furthermore exposes the oil to the influence of light and atmospheric air, effecting 

 thereby its being laden with oxygen. Of the comparative harmlessness of the oil, when thus 

 purified and somewhat oxydized, notwithstanding its powerful antisep)tic effect, proof has been 

 given by Professor Schulz, who increased single doses to a quarter of an ounce (in dilution) 

 without thereby causing ill effects, though considerable depression. 



Professor Grimbert of the Paris University proved already in 1870 the antisejptic power of 

 Eucalyptus-oil by injecting it into the veins of rabbits, preventing thereby putrid decomposition, 

 and mummifying the cadaver. Dr. Siegen in 1873 showed, that water containing merely one j)art 

 of oil in 3800 parts would retard the decay of albuminous substances, thus proving this oil so far 

 more powerful even than quinin ; he also demonstrated, that one half per cent, of oil in water 

 would preserve raw meat from decay. Professor Bucholtz found, that 1-J- parts of Eucalyptus-oil 

 in 1000 parts of fiuids prevent the development of bacteria, a proportion less than that of quinin 

 or of carbolic acid requisite for this purpose. Professor Schulz asserts, that even one part of his 

 refined oil in 10,000 parts of water obviates the appearance of bacteria in fibrin for ten days, and 

 that a one per cent, liquid had this effect for at least a year, if not perhaps for an indefinite period. 

 Also both Dr. Siegen and Dr. Mees required less of Eucalyptus-oil than of quinin for arresting 

 alcoholic fermentation. We have therefore in the Eucalyptus-oil a remedy calculated to act in a 

 high degree as an antiseptic and antizymotic. Indeed stagnant water into which many 

 Eucalyptus leaves have dropj)ed seems to prevent origination of fever even in malarian regions. 

 More extensive information on the subjects here alluded to is afforded by the writer of this work 

 in the Sydney " Medical G-azette," October, November and December, 1883. 



Explanation of Analytic Details. — 1, an unexpanded flower, the lid lifted; 2, transverse section of an unex- 

 l^anded flower ; 3, some outer stamens, expanded ; 4 and 5, front- and back-view of an anther, with portion of its filament ; 

 6, style and stigma ; 7 and S, transverse and longitudinal section of fruit ; 9 and 10, sterile and fertile seeds ; 11, portion 

 of a leaf ; all figures magnified, but to various extent. 



