74 | REPORT OF SCHIMMEL & Co. OCTOBER 1914/ APRIL 1915.0 
The absorption spectrum of buchu camphor. 
On investigating the absorption spectrum of buchu-camphor in ultraviolet light, 
M. Mayer') found that it shows an absorption band, the maximum of which coincides 
with an oscillation number of 3750 and a longitude of the waves of 268. It shows, 
besides, the absorption in the extreme ultraviolet which is common in many colourless 
organic substances. 
Pharmaco-physiological Notes. 
Remedies against vermin. 
In the Institut fiir Schiffs- und Tropenkrankheiten at Hamburg, S. v. Prowazek?) 
made some experiments as to the extermination of fully-grown lice. He found that 
the matured lice are more sensitive than the younger, more lively ones. Leaving 
aside the steam disinfection, as weil as the light petroleum method, the remedies, which 
shall principally benefit the soldiers, who, especially in the East, are fighting under 
very difficult conditions, must fulfil the following requirements: 1. their application 
must be easy and possible even under the most primitive conditions; 2. they must not 
soil the skin, the clothing or the linen; 3. they must not be too volatile or inflammable; _ 
4. they must be easily obtainable in times of war. All these requirements are fulfilled 
by the essential oils, among which eucalyptus, clove, fennel and above all aniseed oil 
rank first. According to the experiments carried out so far, the lice ought to be 
killed with embrocations of 30 to 40 parts of aniseed or fennel oil in 70 or 60 parts, 
respectively, of 96 p.c. alcohol. 
Soldiers at the front are said to have found menthol eee useful too as a means 
of protection against insects*). It is reported that it is sufficient to rub the boots and 
the socks with a menthol stick, in order to prevent the vermin from creeping up on 
the body. Pencilling the clothes with the stick will drive away such vermin as may 
be already on the body. Diluted carbolic acid is likewise said to be of use. 
According to Galewsky’s*) experiences in the prisoners’ camp at K6nigsbriick, oil 
of bergamot acts most promptly of all, then aniseed and fennel oils. As fennel oil is 
scarcely to be had at present, it is advisable to use the cheaper anethole. The effect 
generally lasts only for a few days (the oils are applied in 10 to 15 p.c. alcoholic 
solutions). The following mixture seemed to be most effective: 10 g. oil of bergamot, 
30 g. tincture of calamus and sufficient alcohol to make up 100 g. 
On page 55 we have reported on the excellent effect of anisole (phenol methyl 
ether) against vermin. « 
Strength of odour of some essential oils. 
J. C. Umney®) examined 42 different essential oils as to the constancy of their 
odour on evaporating when exposed to the air. He put a certain quantity on filter 
paper, exposed this to the air at room temperature and compared the smell after 
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7 and 14 days with what it had originally been. The tables compiled 
by Umney show that the odour of juniper and wintergreen oils disappeared already 
after one day, whereas patchouly oil has the most lasting odour. Eight of the most 
important oils range as follows: patchouly, sandalwood, cinnamon leaf, cassia, Java 
citronella, origanum, thyme and neroli. 
1) Atti R. Accad. dei Lincei, Roma (5), 28 (1914), I. 439; Chem. Zentralbl. 1914, Il. 476. — 2) Felddraztl. 
Beil. d. Miinch. med. Wochenschr. 1915, 68; Apotheker Ztg. 30 (1915), 39. — %) Pharm. Ztg. 60 (1915), 55. — 
4) Deutsche med. Wochenschr. 1915, 285; Apotheker Ztg. 80 (1915), 135. — 5) Perfum. Record 5 (1914), 99. 
