PINUS PICEA. 
29 
wounding the tree, and that the Pinus Picea may thus yield eitheV 
one or the other. At all events it is a matter of very little impor- 
tance, as far as medical science is concerned, to what particulai- 
species of pine we are indebted .for any of the turpentines. 
Strasburgh turpentine is purer and less nauseous than the common 
turpentine, and is considered more corroborant than the Venice ; 
in every other respect it differs but little from the Venice or Chian 
kinds. 
Essential Oil of Turpentine. We have already inci- 
dentally spoken of this valuable remedy, and we shall now com- 
municate such further particulars as have come under our own per- 
sonal observation, or within the scope of our reading. This essential 
oil is obtained by the common process of distillation : to five pounds 
of common turpentine four pints of water are added, and the mix- 
ture is distilled in a copper alembic. A rectified oil of turpentine 
is likewise obtained by distilling one pound of the essential oil with 
four pints of water ; but the oil is said not to have its specific gravity, 
smell, taste or medical qualities much improved by this process ; 
which is also both tedious and dangerous, from the very great 
inflammability of the vapour which is apt to escape if the lutings are 
not of the very best description. 
Chemical and Sensible Properties. Essential oil of 
turpentine is a transparent, limpid, volatile fluid ; it is lighter than 
water; has a hot pungent taste, and a penetrating smell ; it is highly 
inflammable, and possesses all the other properties of essential oils ; 
it is very ditficult of solution in alcohol, although turpentine itself 
is easily dissolved in it. 
Medical Properties and Uses. The spirit, or essential 
oil of turpentine has been long in use in these countries as a 
remedy, though it is only within the last few years that its 
Virtues have particularly engaged the attention of the faculty, and 
we by no means think that they are yet properly understood or 
sufliciently estimated. It is however a growing favourite, and we 
fexpect to find it ere long, hold a high place in the catalogue of 
medicines. Pitcairn, Cheyne, Home and Culien have recommended 
its use in chronic rheumatism, and from its action being particularly 
directed to the urinary organs it has long been prescribed for gleet. 
But we are indebted to Dr. Copland for bringing this valuable 
Substance into more general notice. This gentleman not only pre- 
scribed it for the cure of sciatica and lumbago, but also, with tlie 
best success, in chronic dysentery and diarrhoea, passive haemor- 
rhages, and hceraorrhoids ; likewise for epilepsy, tetanus, and several 
