— I30 — 
time to the group of anaesthetics, that is to say, they first excite the 
extremities of the sensory nerves, and then paralyse them. The same 
is the case with nerve-ointment. This explains why opodeldoc is such 
a favourite in painful contusions and rheumatic affections. A few of 
our remedies exert in slight cases of frost-bite (chilblains) an action 
which at the same time again excites the contractibility of the principal 
vessels which have lost their tone through the frost-bite. For this reason 
camphor is a never-absent constituent of frost-bite ointments. In burns 
or scalds, it is usual to add peppermint oil to the burn-ointment con- 
sisting of linseed oil and lime-water, because it reduces the sensation 
of burning and heat. 
In cases of apoplexy, mustard - paste is applied to the sole of the 
foot for withdrawing the flow of blood. The derivative action com- 
mences as soon as the feet assume a red colour. 
As remedies for stimulating the mucosa of the mouth, and the 
gums in case they are anaemic and badly nourished, dentifrices and 
mouth-washes containing Spiritus cochleariae play the most important part. 
It is a remarkable fact that oil of peppermint (but not menthol) has a 
reverse action, and is consequently employed where it is intended to bring- 
about contraction of the vessels, when the gums are pathologically reddened. 
14. Group of Excitants. 
I consider camphor the most valuable excitant which we possess, 
as its stimulating action is not only confined to the centres of respi- 
ration, blood-pressure, and reflexes, but also promotes the activity of 
the heart. In severe cases of tuberculosis of the lung, where the pulse 
is small and feeble, the blood-pressure low, and respiration defective, 
I have very often observed the beneficial effect of injections of oil 
of camphor. But also in various conditions of debility, in collapse, 
fainting, narcotic poisoning, camphor is a serviceable remedy, and in 
proper dosage harmless. In view of its insolubility in water, it is 
obvious that attempts should have been made to find soluble derivatives 
of this substance. Campho- carbonic acids, which have been studied 
especially by J. W. Briihl^), yield alkalme salts soluble in water. A 
series of detailed experiments made jointly with my pupil A. Lapin^), 
unfortunately gave the unexpected result that campho - carbonate of 
sodium is inactive, even in doses of one gram, and passes without 
change through the organism. Professor K. Gottlieb^), who checked 
1) Berliner Berichte 24 (1891), 3382 and 3708; 26 (1893), 290; 35 (1902), 
3510, 3219, 4030, 4113; 36 (1903), 668 and 1305. 
2) Zur Pharmakologie der Kampfergruppe. Thesis, Dorpat (then already re- 
named Jurjew) 1893, p. 51. 
») Berichte 35 (1902), 3518. 
