302 GENITOURINARY STIMULANTS 



Externally. Turpentine is an irritant to the skin, producing 

 all the stages of inflammation, from redness to pustule formation, 

 according to strength of the preparation used and method of appli- 

 cation. It is extremely irritant to horses and dogs. Horses show 

 a considerable amount of pain after its application and the resultant 

 sore is a slow healing one. It is also an antiseptic and deodorant 

 of considerable value. 



Internally. In moderate doses turpentine produces a sense of 

 warmth to the stomach and serves as a carminative and antiseptic. 

 It is also a fairly efficient anthelmintic, especially against round 

 worms, but is not so active as a taBnicide. 



It reflexly stimulates the heart and respiration, probably by irri- 

 tation of the mucosa of the stomach. It is rapidly absorbed and 

 eliminated, escaping from the body largely by way of the urinary 

 and respiratory tracts, causing diuresis, stimulating the mucosa of 

 the urinary tract and giving a peculiar odor to the urine (violet 

 odor). In overdoses or toxic doses turpentine causes abdominal 

 pain, nausea, purging in some cases, rapid weak pulse, slowed res- 

 pirations, and muscular weakness. There is marked irritation of 

 the kidneys and this may be accompanied by strangury, suppression 

 of the urine or hematuria. The action is that of volatile oils, for 

 which see p. 282. 



Therapeutics. 



1. Counterirritant. (a) It is valuable as a rubifacient in 

 various forms of inflammation, such as bronchitis, pleuritis, pneu- 

 monia, gastritis and enteritis. In these cases probably the best 

 method of application is* the turpentine stupe. This is prepared by 

 sprinkling freely with the oil a blanket or woolen cloth which has 

 been previously wrung out of hot water. This is then applied to 

 the chest, or other part of the body, covered with some material to 

 hold the heat, and left for half an hour or longer, according to the 

 results desired. 



(b) Liniments containing turpentine are useful to relieve in- 

 flammation and soreness in muscular rheumatism, sprains, etc. 



2. Carminative. It is very useful to relieve acute gastric tym- 

 pany and flatulent colic in the horse and tympanities of the rumen in 

 cattle. For this purpose it is usually combined with some prep- 

 aration of ammonia and administered with linseed oil or may be 

 given in capsiile. In these cases it causes the expulsion of the gas 

 already formed and prevents fermentation to which the condition is 

 due. 



3. Hemostatic. It has been recommended by some as a hemo- 

 static for internal hemorrhages, although the method of action is un- 

 known. It is inferior to other agents for this action. 



4. Purpura Hemorrhagica. The use of turpentine in this dis- 



