24 
PIMUS LARIX. 
taken internally ; indeed, it may be observed, that turpentine has 
more tendency to act on the urhiary organs than any other niedicine 
with which we are acquainted. In gleets and fluor albus turpentine 
has been much prescribed, and with good success. We are told by 
CuUen that a terebinthinous enema is the most certain laxative in 
colic ; when carried into the blood-vessels, turpentine stimulates the 
whole system, and hence its use in rheumatism and paralysis. The 
usual dose of turpentine is iVoni a scruple to half a drachm ; it is 
generally given in the form of a linctus, made with twice its weight 
of honey ; it may also be given in a liquid form, by triturating it with 
mucilage or yolk of egg, and then adding the necessary quantity of 
water; half an ounce triturated with yolk of egg, may be •given in 
an enema. In all cases however accompanied by inflammation, tur- 
pentine ought to be abstained from. Venice turpentine is very gene- 
rally substituted in medicine for the Chian ; the former is thought to 
be more powerfully diuretic and detergent ; the latter more corro- 
borant. Riverius considers it safer than most other irritating diuretics, 
and according to Cullen, its efi'ects in obstinate constipation of the - 
bowels, when administered in an enema, are more certain and dura- 
ble than those of saline purgatives. 
Another produce of the Pinus Larix which requires to be noticed 
is a glutinous sweet substance, to which the name of Manna Larigna, 
manna of the larch, or Brianfon manna,* has been given, and to 
which we have already alluded when treating of the Fraxinus Ornus. 
This substance exudes spontaneously from the tree, about the months 
of June and July, and appears in the form of small white drops upon 
the branches ; these branches are lopped off early in the morning, as 
the sun would otherwise dissipate the manna, which is afterwards 
collected from them at leisure ; it is locally administered as a laxative, 
but does not seem to possess much activity ; besides the saccharine 
matter it contains turpentine. 
The Gummi Orenburgense of the Russians, is another remarkable 
product of the Pinus Larix. This gum has much resemblance to 
gum arable, and in Russia is frequently substituted for it; it is 
entirely soluble in water, is very glutinous, and of a reddish cobur. 
It is chiefly obtained in the Ural Larch forests ; and according to 
Professor Pallas it exudes from the medullary part of the trees, 
during their combustion. It is used by the Cossacks as an article of 
food, and is also considered by them as an antiscorbutic. 
* So called from being chieflj collected the peasauta in the neighbourhood of 
Bi'iaD^ou. 
