210 
ON OIL OF GAULTHERIA PROCUMBENS. 
OIL OF GAULTHERIA PROCUMBENS. 
Lancaster,, May 20, 1852. 
Prof. Wm. Procter, Jr., Philadelphia. 
Dear Sir, — Your favor of the 18th came to hand, and I regret 
that I am not able at this time to give you more information 
about the use of Ess. Gaultheria in intermittent, than that it was 
very much used in the summers of '50 and '51, among the poorer 
class of people who live along the Conestoga, with much success ; 
their manner of taking was a tea-spoonful before or at the 
time the first symptom appeared, and occasionally after the chill 
a dose ; no particular regard to their diet or living. 
The above was furnished to me by a middle aged man who had 
tried it himself, but without success ; he, however, is much af- 
flicted ; quinine, barks and arsenic appear to have lost their 
effect upon him. He has chills every day. 
Dr. Gerber purposes trying it upon some of his patients ; his 
experience and observations I will give you shortly, though not 
in time for the next number of the Journal. 
I make the Essence by dissolving $j. 01. Gaultheria in Oij. of 
alcohol, and color with tincture of Saunders. 
I must ask your indulgence, promising that if it does contain 
any virtues I shall advise you; as to its diuretic properties I am 
not able to say. Very truly, 
Charles A. Heinitsh. 
Note by the Editor. — We were induced to solicit further information on 
the above subject than was obtained in a casual conversation with Mr. H. some 
time back, more especially as the oil of winter-green thus far appears to have 
been used only as a perfume and flavoring agent. Another reason is, that 
recently, statements have occurred in the French Journals regarding the 
volatile oil of Spirea ulmaria or salicylous acid of chemists, a substance 
very analogous to the oil of Gaultheria procumbens in its sensible and 
chemical properties ; the oil of spirea being a hyduret of salicyle, whilst 
the oil of gaultheria is the oxide of salicyle, or salicylic acid ? united with 
the hydrated oxide of methyl. M. Hannon, in Bull. gen. de Therap, quoted 
in Jour, de Pharm., for Jan., 1852, has given the results of some experi- 
ments with that oil in cases of hypertrophy of the heart, and in phthisis, 
wherein it manifested diuretic powers in a marked degree. M. Hannon 
has employed the oil of spirea in doses of 3 or 4 drops in the form of a 
tincture, and also has administered the compounds of the oil with potassa 
