- 63 - 
destruction of all chips and other waste. The object of the scientific 
investigation of the ^'spike"-disease, which is now progressing, is that of 
ascertaining the manner of propagation, and the period of incubation 
of the poison, and further the study of the vegetal companions of the 
sandalwood-tree. 
According to recent publications no active remedy has as }'et 
been discovered. With regard to the evil itself, the view is now taken 
that the ''spike" is probably not an actual disease, for it has been 
discovered that the peculiar bristle -like deformation of the leaves of 
the so-called spike -trees is not a symptom of disease, but on the 
contrary is usually found on all trees which perish either from age, 
or from injury to the roots by fire, strangulation by creepers, or fungoid, 
parasitic, or epiphytic growths. It is also believed that a poor, low-lying 
soil, especially if it contains much "kankur" or lies on a stratum of 
kankur, causes the permanent decay of the root -system and conse- 
quently of the tree. It has been observed that unhealthy sandalwood- 
trees were always found only in places where the remaining vegetation 
also showed an unhealthy appearance, whilst diseased sandalwood-trees 
are never met with on good soil with luxuriant vegetation. 
A report by Peter 2) shows once more how necessary it is to 
exercise care in purchasing gelatine capsules filled with sandalwood oil. 
Peter has examined the oil of a few commercial caps. gel. c. ol. santal. 
repl. The oils were partly found considerably adulterated, a matter 
which is of great importance in view of the exclusively therapeutic use 
of these capsules. Three of the samples examined had a santalol- 
content of 57,4, 71,4 and 77,3 per cent, respectively, whilst a good 
quality sandalwood oil should contain at least 90 per cent, santalol^). 
Peter at the same time calls attention to the fact that if a 
sandalwood oil differs in its behaviour from the normal distillate, it 
should not forthwith be concluded that the oil is adulterated, and he 
endeavours to prove by an example that an inferior oil may also be 
obtained "by exactly following the directions". An oil distilled by 
Peter himself had a specific gravity of 0,972 (15°), and a santalol- 
content of only 82,3 per cent. 
In view of the small quantity sandalwood (10 kilos) which Peter 
submitted to distillation, and the doubtless unsuitable method of distil- 
lation which must have been employed in this case, but which in the 
case of sandalwood oil plays a most material part, the example quoted 
^) The Planter's Opini9n, 25. July 1903. Indian Forester 29 (1903), 340. 
Pharm. Ztg. 48 {1903), 573. 
^) On this occasion we would point out that the formula C^-H^gO is still 
frequently accepted for santal ol, whereas according to more recent examinations the 
formula C^^H^^O belongs to it (comp. Report October 1900, 58). 
