, PEPPERMINT AND MENTHOL 385 



in water; freely soluble in alcohol, ether, chloroform, carbon disulphide or glacial 

 acetic acid. When it is triturated with about an equal weight of camphor, thymol, 

 or chloral hydrate, the mixture becomes liquid. Menthol may be dissolv )d by 

 heat in oleic acid, fats or liquid vaseline or volatile oils. 

 Dose.— H., gr.vii-xv, (.6-1); D., gr.ss-ii, (.03-.12). 



Action and Uses of Peppermint and Menthol 



Peppermint and oil of peppermint owe their medicinal virtues chiefly 

 to the menthol they contain. They resemble the other volatile oils in 

 most respects, but are more anesthetic and antiseptic than some. Men- 

 thol is used mostly externally, and is extremely valuable in relieving 

 itching and neuralgic pain. It may be employed with alcohol or chloro- 

 form in solution (3ss to §i) in urticaria or pruritus. An ointment is also 

 serviceable, or a solution by heat in oleic acid (1 to 24). For burns, the 

 following will be found beneficial: Sweet oil and lime water, each one 

 ounce; menthol, one dram. The cooling sensation produced by menthol is. 

 due to a specific effect upon the nerves of temperature. The anesthetic 

 and antiseptic action of menthol has been taken advantage of in the 

 treatment of boils and superficial abscesses. A 10 to 50 per cent, solution 

 in ether is said to abort these lesions when painted frequently on the 

 inflamed parts. A menthol and camphor solution is one of the best 

 preparations to use in a medicine dropper for acute or chronic nasal 

 catarrh of dogs. 



Mentholis 3i. 



Chloroformi oil. 



M. 



Sig. For urticaria or pruritus. Apply externally. 



Mentholis. 



Camphorae aa gr.xxx. 



Petrolati liquidi gii. 



at 



Sig. Instil X drops in each nostril 3 times daily with 

 medicine dropper for nasal catarrh in dogs. 



Internally, the essence of peppermint or oil is of worth in cases of 

 mild colic and flatulence on account of its anesthetic, carminative and 

 antiseptic action. Menthol may be given to dogs to relieve vomiting. 

 Peppermint water assuages thirst in fever, and this preparation is also 

 used as a pleasant vehicle in the administration of disagreeable drugs 

 to dogs. The oil is prescribed in pill or ball to prevent the griping of 

 cathartics. 



Administration. — The essence is the preparation in most common 

 use and is given in water. The oil is dissolved in spirit, or exhibited to 

 dogs on sugar. Menthol may be administered in alcohol and syrup, equal 

 parts ; or in pill or capsule to dogs. 



Mentha viridis (spearmint) is ofiicial together with oleum menthae 

 viridis (oil of spearmint), spiritus menthae viridis (spirit of spearmint), 

 and aqua menthae viridis. The actions, uses and doses are the same as 

 those of peppermint and its preparations, but the latter are more popular 

 and pleasant. 



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