— 119 — 
rich yield of essential oil. The only physiological experiments with 
this oil and with guaiol, contained in it, originate from my pupil 
W. Frieboes^). As experience shows that the kidney reacts with a 
more powerful secretion of urine to the administration of a mixture 
of diuretic substances, than to a much larger quantity of the individual 
bodies, it is expedient, to some extent as a substitute for the old 
diuretic infusion, to introduce into commerce a ready-made mixture of 
essential oils, which can be very conveniently administrated in very 
small capsules (i. e. in so-called pearls), and which greatly surpass the 
various infusions in activity and exact dosage. I recommend as such 
a mixture of equal parts of Oleum jiiniperi, 01. levistici, 01. angelicae, 
01. fol. jaborandi, apioH, safroH, guaioli, terpineoli, borneoli. Of this 
mixture capsules containing o, i gram are introduced into commerce as 
Capsulae olei diuretici (Robert). They should be taken several times 
daily in quantities of two to four capsules, where it is desired either 
to drain the body (dropsy), or to flush the urinary passages more 
abundantly (catarrh of the bladder, stone-forming deposit of the urine, 
tendency to decomposition of the urine, etc.). It is recommended to 
let the patient at the same time drink any liquid which is agreeable 
to him. The volatile constituents of the internal antigonorrhoeic remedies, 
such as oil of copaiba, oil of cubebs, oil of matico leaves 2), East 
Indian Sandalwood oil, and the oil of Atlas cedarwood recommended 
by Trabut^), also have unquestionably a diuretic, and at the same 
time antibacterial, action. Whether they have any other action as well 
is a question which in this place does not interest us. 
7. Group of Diaphoretics. 
Since many centuries hot infusions of lime-blossoms and of elder- 
blossoms have been used in popular medicine to stimulate the secretion 
of sweat. Most investigators are of opinion that the effect here is 
simply obtained by the hot water. Of course no sensible person w411 
deny that hot water by itself brings about perspiration. Moreover, it 
was proved already 70 years ago that lime-blossoms in the most favour- 
able case yield only 0,038 per cent, oil, and elder -blossoms even less, 
and it is consequently highly improbable that the homoeopathic doses 
of these oils which can possibly be contained in a few cups of such 
^) Beitrage zur Kenntnis der Guajakpraparate. Prize Essay of the med. 
faculty of Rostock. With a preface by Rud. Kobert. 10 figs, in the text. 
Stuttgart 1903. 
''^) This oil varies considerably in its composition. Compare Gildemeister 
and Hoffmann, The Volatile Oils, p. 325. 
^) Bullet, des sc. pharmacol. May 1900. 
