Is the Eucalyptus a Fever-destroying Tree ? 21 



If the change effected be the production of ozone, and 

 the latest known experiments on the subject, confirmed by 

 Dr. Andrews, appear to leave no doubt that this is the case, 

 then another link is added to the evidence that the eucalyptus 

 vegetation has an important action on climatic influences. Dr. 

 Andrews remarks, that " no connection has yet been proved 

 to exist between the amount of ozone in the atmosphere and 

 the occurrence of epidemic or other forms of disease ; " but 

 remarks, "its absence from the air of towns and of large 

 rooms even in the country is jorobably the chief cause of the 

 difference which every one feels when he breathes the air of 

 a town or of an apartment however spacious, and afterwards 

 inhales the fresh or ozone-containing air of the open 

 country." Let a small quantity of any of the eucalyptus 

 oils, but especially the oil of eucalyptus amygdalina, be 

 distributed sparingly in a sick chamber, or over any 

 unpleasant substance, or add a small quantity to stagnant 

 water, and the pleasure of breathing an improved air will 

 immediately be manifest. The application of this to the 

 climate of Australia has great force, for it is acknowledged 

 that we possess about us, both in bush and town, a large 

 amount of active oxygen, made frequently doubly so by our 

 vigorous vegetation. 



As evidence on this part, let me refer to the circular 

 issued last May by the Central Board of Health to the 

 medical profession, inviting " further information respecting 

 the continued fevers now prevailing in and around Mel- 

 bourne." 



The following is one of a list of questions forwarded : 



" 7. Have seasonal peculiarities influenced the fevers ?" 



Speaking as one outside of that profession, the following 

 may be stated — That the leading oil-producing species of 

 the eucalypti were, during the season prior to last May, 

 extra poor in volatile oil, and if any connection exists 

 between the amount of ozone in the atmosphere and the 

 occurrence of epidemic or other forms of disease, we have 

 given ample evidence that large quantities of the oxidising 

 agents usually known to exist in Victorian air during that 

 season were absent. 



Having arrived at the close of the three queries set 



ol. eu. amyg. to the bushel ; and remarks that after keeping it mixed for 

 four months, he found it to contain a much larger quantity of peroxide of 

 hydrogen than it did when first mixed, and that it continued to accumulate. 



