— 169 — 



of cloves, which is one of the best remedies for treating pulpless teeth 

 and moreover possesses anaesthetic properties; it has the additional ad- 

 vantage of causing absolutely no irritation. Bay oil, which so far is but 

 little used in dental practice, behaves similar to clove oil (its principal 

 constituent is eugenol). Next comes peppermint oil, then eucalyptus oil 

 of which the principal constituent, cineol, is according to Gilmour an 

 excellent antiseptic (see p. 66 of this Report) and is exceptionally efficacious 

 in cases of stomatitis. Eucalyptus oil deserves special recommendation 

 in cases where the root canals, after removal of the pulp, must be kept 

 in an aseptic condition before filling properly. Oil of thyme is not 

 altogether free from irritant properties, but in certain cases a solution of 

 thymol in eucalyptus oil is said to be very useful. Finally, Gilmour 

 mentions cajeput oil and gaultheria oil, of which the last named is specially 

 used as an ingredient in mouth washes, $c. although it is said to possess 

 insufficient disinfecting power to be of use in the disinfection of the 

 root canals. 



Some years ago 1 ) we reported on the favourable action of limonene 

 in affections of the lungs, a result which is probably due to its disinfec- 

 ting properties. More recently, G. Zickgraf 2 ) has also obtained exceptionally 

 favourable results with limonene in similar conditions. Zickgraf used the 

 preparation in all cases in which oil of turpentine would otherwise have 

 been prescribed. The advantages of limonene are not restricted to its 

 more agreeable odour and taste, but consist also in the fact that it is a 

 more powerful disinfectant and deodoriser than turpentine oil, and is more 

 effective in reducing secretion. Among other cases, the author cites one 

 of a patient suffering from a copious and extremely offensively smelling 

 bronchial discharge. In this case, after three days' internal administration 

 and simultaneous inhalation of limonene, the discharge during the day-time 

 had lost its evil odour and was offensive only in the morning. The fact 

 is also of great importance that, as shown by the daily examination of 

 urine, continued over several weeks, limonene never attacks the kidneys, 

 as oil of turpentine notoriously does. 



In the treatment of bronchitis, gangrene of the lungs, and tuberculosis, 

 M. Berliner 3 ) recommends intramuscular injections of menthol and euca- 

 lyptol, beginning with weak solutions (menthol 10,0, eucalyptol 20,0, ol. 

 dericini 100,0; or, menthol 10,0; ol. dericini 30,0) and increasing to solutions 

 of twice that strength. At the beginning of the treatment 2 cc. of the weaker 

 solution should be injected 3 to 4 times weekly, afterwards two injections 

 should be given of the stronger solution. The author claims that his treat- 

 ment is not only a palliative, but an actual cure for tuberculosis. 



x ) Kobert, Report October 1903, 133; also comp. Report October 1906, 159; October 1909, 66. 



-) Munch, med. Wochenschr. 57 (1910), 1070. 



3 ) Berl. klin. Wochenschr. 1910, 26; quoted from Apotheker Ztg. 25 (1910), 381. 



