ACTION OF TURPENTINE 367 



Teeebenum. Terebene. C,„Hi6. (U. S. & B. P.) 

 A liquid consisting of dipentene and other hydrocarbons, obtained by the 



action of concentrated sulphuric acid on oil of turpentine. 



Properties. — A colorless, thin liquid, having a rather agreeable, thyme-like 



odor, and an aromatic, somewhat terebinthinate taste. Spec, gr, 0.860 to 0.865 



at 25° C. Only slightly soluble in water, but soluble in 3 times its volume of 



alcohol, and in glacial acetic, or carbon disulphide. 

 Dose.—H. & C, 3ii-vi, (8-24); Tl^v-xv, (.3-1). 



Terpini Hydras. Terpin Hydrate. CioH„(OH)2-(-Hi,0. (U. S. P.) 



The hydrate of the dihydric alcohol, terpin. 



Derivation. — Rectified oil of turpentine, alcohol and nitric acid are mixed 

 together in shallow, porcelain dishes, and after three or four days terpin hydrate 

 crystallizes out. The crystals are collected, drained, dried on absorbent paper, 

 and purified by recrystallization in alcohol. 



Properties.— Colorless, lustrous, rhombic pri.sms, nearly odorless and having a 

 slightly aromatic and somewhat bitter taste. Efflorescent in dry air. Soluble in 

 200 parts of water and in 13 parts of alcohol. 

 D ose.—n., 3ss-ii, (2-8); D., gr.v-xx, (.3-1.8). 



Oil of Turpentine. 



Action External. — Oil of turpentine is an irritant to the skin, caus- 

 ing itching, pain and redness, or even vesication, followed by local anes- 

 thesia. It produces intense irritability and restlessness when applied 

 externally to some horses. The oil is antiseptic, disinfectant and parasiti- 

 cide, being more penetrating to the skin than mustard or cantharides. 



Action Internal. — Alimentary Canal. — The oil induces a sense-of 

 warmth in the stomach (man), and increases gastric secretion, motion 

 and vascularity, but is too disagreeable to be used as a stomachic. In 

 acting similarly in the bowels, particularly in stimulating the muscular 

 coat, oil of turpentine is a useful carminative by exciting peristalsis and 

 expelling gas in tympanites. Its antiseptic properties also antagonize 

 intestinal fermentation. 



Large doses occasion purging and are anthelmintic. Toxic doses 

 create gastro-enteritis and sometimes intestinal ulceration. The irrita- 

 tion of the nerve endings in the digestive tract caused by turpentine, 

 leads to reflex stimulation of the nervous system and heart. 



Circulation. — Turpentine is readily absorbed into the blood. Experi- 

 mental evidence is at variance with regard to the action of the oil on the 

 circulation. Small doses apparently increase the force and frequency of 

 the heart-beat, and slightly raise blood pressure. The vessels are some- 

 what contracted and the drug is employed to arrest hemorrhage in the 

 digestive tract and in remote organs. It is inferior to ergot as an hemo- 

 static. Large doses of turpentine lower the cardiac force and frequency, 

 and cause vascular dilatation and fall of blood pressure. 



Respiration. — Oil of turpentine enhances the strength and rapidity 

 of the respiratory movements, in small doses, but large quantities depress 

 the respiration. The oil is easily absorbed by inhalation and is also 

 eliminated in the breath. Inhalation of the oil stimulates the bronchial 

 mucous membrane, acts as an antiseptic, and excites muscular contraction 

 of the bronchial tubes and cough. 



Authorities differ as to the influence of turpentine on bronchial secre- 



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