368 
BENZINE,  (eUPION  NAPHTHA). 
price  of  turpentine,  at  present,  presents  a  favorable  opportunity 
for  its  introduction  into  use;  and  having  used  it,  more  less,  for 
the  last  two  years,  in  a  small  way,  I  would  say  that  I  have 
found  it  answer  as  well,  if  not  better,  than  turpentine  for  paint, 
the  thinning  of  varnishes,  &c.  The  smell  of  it  in  paint  is  scarce- 
ly perceptible,  and  what  there  is  dissipates  in  a  much  less  time 
than  that  of  spirits  of  turpentine;  for  inside- work  in  this  re- 
spect I  think  it  will  be  found  preferable. 
Besides  the  industrial  uses  above  mentioned,  this  substance 
also  has  valuable  solvent  properties  worthy  the  attention  of 
pharmaceutists.  As  a  solvent  of  oils  and  resins  it  will  be  found  in 
some  instances  superior  to  either  alcohol  or  ether,  and  perhaps 
not  so  expensive  as  either  of  the  other  solvents  ;  like  them,  it  read- 
ily evaporates  upon  exposure  or  the  application  of  gentle  heat, 
and  as  it  does  not  contain  water,  a  handsomer  preparation  may  be 
obtained  by  its  use,  and  with  less  danger  of  deteriorating  by  the 
application  of  heat  to  expel  traces  of  Avater,  when  either  alcohol 
or  ether  is  used. 
It  has  been  recommended  in  the  London  Gardener  s  Chroni- 
cle as  the  best  substance  for  the  destruction  of  insects  on  plants. 
One  or  two  drops  of  it  is  said  to  be  sufficient  to  asphyxiate  the 
most  redoubtable  insect  pest,  be  it  beetle,  cockchafer,  spider, 
slug,  catterpillar,  or  other  creeping  thing.  A  singular  fact 
connected  with  this  application  of  benzine,  is  that  the  bodies  of 
insects  killed  by  it  become  so  rigid  that  their  wings,  legs,  &c., 
will  break  rather  than  bend,  if  touched.  Next  day,  however, 
when  the  benzine  has  evaporated,  suppleness  is  restored. 
As  a  therapeutic  agent,  this  substance  is  not  without  value. 
It  has  been  used  with  no  little  success  as  a  topical  application 
in  rheumatic  and  neuralgic  affections.  The  best  method  of  ap- 
plying it  for  this  purpose,  is  to  saturate  a  piece  of  cloth  or  paper 
with  it  ;  and  bind  to  the  part  affected  by  several  thicknesses  of' 
cloth,  to  prevent  too  rapid  evaporation,  and  to  continue  the  ap- 
plication as  long  as  the  patient  can  bear  it.  A  short  time  after 
its  application,  a  pricking,  burning  sensation  will  be  experienced, 
which  should  be  borne  as  long  as  possible,  and  the  application  then 
removed.  The  pricking  soon  subsides,  and  the  application  if  neces- 
sary, should  be  again  repeated.  No  vesication  or  eruption  will 
be  caused  by  its  application ;  only  a  slight  redness  of  the  skin, 
which  soon  disappears. — The  Druggist,  June,  1861. 
