306  Gleanings  in  Materia  Medica,        {'^"^ /une'issr""' 
GLEANINGS  IN  MATERIA  MEDICA. 
By  the  Editor. 
Chinese  Cabbage  oil,  obtained  from  the  seeHs  of  a  species  of  Brassica, 
according  to  R.  H.  Davies,  has  at  60°F.  the  specific  gravity  *914;  is 
of  a  deep  brown  color,  somewhat  tiiicker  than  olive  oil,  at  12°C.  (10° 
F.)  solidifies  to  a  bright  orange-yellow  mass,  and  yields  a  rather  dark 
colored  elaidin.  100  grams  of  the  oil  required  0125  gram  caustic 
potash  for  neutralization,  and  17"52  grams  for  complete  saponification. 
The  mixture  of  fatty  acids  begins  to  soften  at  17°C.,  melts  com- 
pletely at  22°C.,  has  nearly  the  same  saturating  power  as  brassic  acid, 
and  contains  oleic  acid. — Phar.  Jour,  and  Trans.,  Feb.  7, 1885,  p.  635. 
According  to  E.  M.  Holmes  this  oil  is  probably  obtained  from  the 
seeds  of  the  petsai,  Brassica  sinensis,  which  is  largely  cultivated  in 
China.  The  oil  is  employed  as  a  purgative,  and  externally  for  skin 
diseases;  also  like  a  yellow  colored  brassica  oil,  which  is  probably 
obtained  from  Br.  campestris,  Lin.,  the  aburana  of  the  Japanese. 
This  oil  is  iisL'd  for  culinary  and  lighting  purposes,  in  tobacco  manu- 
facture to  prevent  the  leaves  falling  to  powder  after  rapid  drying,  and 
for  the  manufacture  of  lampblack  for  use  in  making  Chinese  ink.  The 
residue  after  the  expression  of  the  oil  is  used  for  manuring  plantations 
of  tea  and  other  plants. — Ibid.  p.  ()36. 
Tea  oil  from  Camellia  oleifera,  Abel,  resembles  olive  oil  in  color, 
transparency  and  mobility,  and  has  a  characteristic  odor  anil  taste. 
Rob.  H.  Davies  found  it  to  have  the  spec.  grav.  "9175  at  60°F.,  and 
placed  in  a  freezing  mixture  to  deposit  a  solid  fat,  probably  stearin. 
The  oil  mixed  with  a  drop  of  sulphuric  acid,  has  a  behavior  similar  to 
almond  oil;  nitrous  acid  solidifies  it.  It  contains  less  free  acid  than 
olive  oil.  1,000  grams  of  tea  oil  require  for  complete  saponification 
11)5"5  grams  of  caustic  potash;  the  oleic  acid  obtained  amounted  to 
83*15  per  cent.,  and  about  10*8  per  cent,  was  probably  stearic  or  })al- 
mitic  acid;  an  insignificant  amount  of  fatty  acid  was  soluble  in  water. 
— Phar.  Jour,  and  Trans.,  Feb.  7,  1885,  p.  634. 
A  S})ecimen  exhibited  at  the  International  Health  Exhibition  was 
labeled  oil  of  Camellia  japonica.  It  is  used  in  Japan  by  watchmakers 
and  as  a  pomade,  combined  with  Japanese  wax  and  flavored  with  oil  of 
cloves  and  other  essential  oils;  it  is  non-drying,  very  fluid,  free  from 
unpleasant  odor  and  according  to  E.  M.  Holmes  could  doubtless  com- 
pete with  almond  oil  and  olive  oil  for  many  purposes. 
