152 
Not one of the monks had died after the first year, but 
then the place had not been inhabited during the night 
until last summer. Still, it will be seen that the experiment 
is a very small one and a very imperfect one. It is, how- 
ever, important in this respect, that during the last summer 
and autumn — the dangerous seasons— no one had died, 
whilst during the first there were several deaths. But it 
must be remembered that the place had been cleaned out 
and drained, and placed, as the buildings were, in the lower 
part of a valley, draining must have been much required^ 
and the fact of mud being in the church itself, showed how 
readily the whole was fiooded. Although there are now 
some trees growing, they are only at one side and they are 
small. It is true they give out a very distinct odour very 
striking when one goes near, and it may be said that the 
cause must pervade all the surroundings even if it be not 
perceptible. This will certainly take place in very still 
weather, and the low situation protects it greatly from winds. 
Still, with every desire to give to the emanations of the 
Eucalyptus every virtue demanded, it is not easy to look on 
this as a good instance of its success. 
One of the monks by name Orsise, had prepared a tincture 
from the leaves, and a glass of this was given to every one 
daily when fever showed itself. This seems to have been the 
really efficient agent that in conjunction with the drainage 
protected the brethren last summer. 
It is not my intention to speak of this substance with 
details to any extent. It is however known that in the 
leaves and the bark and even wood of the blue gum tree is an 
oil with a very strong odour. There may rather be said to be 
several oils, but one which has been called eucalyptol boils 
between 170° and 178° C. This is the oil which is said to 
resemble cajeput oil, and is said to have an effect similar to 
that of quinine. But the substance which has the medical 
effect is probably a much more volatile oil continually 
