§§ 626 , 627.] OIL OF SAVIN. 485 
vulsions, the after-symptoms being more or less irritation of the intestinal 
canal. 
§ 626. Post-mortem Appearances. —It was noticed in the Woolwich 
cases that those who died quickly had congestion of the cerebral vessels, 
and, in one instance, there was even extravasation of blood ; but the man 
who died first of all had no congestion of the cerebral vessels. The 
lining membrane of the wind-pipe and air-tubes was intensely injected 
with blood, and the lungs were gorged with fluid blood ; the blood in 
the heart was black and fluid. The stomach and intestines were exter¬ 
nally of a pink colour. The mucous membrane of the stomach was much 
corrugated, and the follicles particularly enlarged. In the two protracted 
cases the stomach was not reddened internally, but the vessels of the 
brain were congested. 
XI.—Oil of Savin. 
§ 627. The leaves of the Sabina communis (Juniperus Sabina ), or 
common savin, an evergreen shrub to be found in many gardens, contain 
a volatile oil, which has highly irritant properties. Savin leaves are 
occasionally used in medicine—maximum dose 1 grm. (15-4 grains). 
There is also a tincture—maximum dose 3 c.c. (about 45 mins.)—and 
an ointment made by mixing eight parts of savin tops with three of yellow 
wax and sixteen parts of lard, melting and digesting for twenty minutes, 
and then straining through calico. The oil, a tincture, and an ointment 
are official pharmaceutical preparations. 
The oil of savin is contained to the extent of about 2 per cent, in the 
leaves and 10 per cent, in the fruit. It has a peculiar odour, its specific 
gravity is *89 to -94, and it boils at 155° to 160°. An infusion of savin 
leaves (the leaves being drunk with the liquid) is a popular and very 
dangerous abortive. 
It is stated by Taylor that oil of savin has no abortive effect, save 
that which is to be attributed to its general effect upon the system ; but 
this is erroneous. Rohrig found that, when administered to rabbits, it 
had a very evident effect upon the pregnant uterus, throwing it into a 
tetanic contraction. The action was evident after destruction of the 
spinal cord. The plant causes great irritation and inflammation, whether 
applied to the skin or taken internally. The symptoms are excruciating 
pain, vomiting, and diarrhoea, and the person dies in a kind of collapse. 
In a case in which the senior author was engaged some years ago, a 
woman, pregnant by a married man, took an unknown quantity of 
infusion of savin tops. She was violently sick, suffered great pain, with 
diarrhoea, and died in about twenty-six hours. The pharynx was much 
reddened, and the gullet even congested ; the stomach was inflamed, and 
