Ai^Vember,Pi9i^*}       The  Pharmacy  of  Oxy-pinene.  521 
"  Oxy-pinene,  or  ozonide  of  pinene,  C10H16O3,  is  a  heavy,  viscid 
liquid  of  a  light  yellow  or  lemon  color,  having  an  agreeable  turpentine 
odor  and  taste.  It  is  soluble  in  some  fixed  oils,  most  volatile  oils, 
chloroform,  ether,  alcohol,  etc.  Dr.  Blomen  promises  to  give  a 
history  of  the  uses  of  the  oxy-pinenes,  and  we  hope  he  will  include 
more  of  the  chemistry  also  (see  Amer.  Jour.  Pharm.,  191 5,  p.  398). 
"  Oxy-pinene  is  prepared  by  exposing  the  vapor  of  pinene  to  a 
current  of  ozonized  air,  prepared  by  the  action  upon  dry  air  of  a 
high-tension  electrical  discharge.  An  addition  occurs  between  the 
pinene  and  oxygen,  resulting  in  the  production  of  a  dense  white 
vapor  (oxy-pinene)." 
This  description  is  taken  from  the  very  able  article  by  Dr.  Ber- 
tram H.  Waters,  M.A.,  M.D.,  published  in  the  Medical  Record,  Feb- 
ruary 13,  191 5.  He  says,  further,  that  in  making  oxy-pinene,  only 
pure  pinene  and  ozonized  air  should  be  used. 
From  clinical  observation,  Dr.  Waters  concludes  that  "  Oxy- 
pinene  is  useful  in  subacute  and  chronic  affections  of  the  respiratory 
system,  and  is  indicated  as  a  mild  stimulant  to  the  mucous  mem- 
branes and  other  tissues.  When  brought  in  contact  with  infected 
surfaces,  it  inhibits  the  growth  of  certain  pathogenic  microorganisms, 
and,  by  its  pathogenic  property,  increases  the  circulation  in  the  in- 
fected area,  thus  promoting  the  destruction  of  such  organisms  by 
phagocytosis." 
It  is  reasonably  certain  that  the  treatment  of  wounds  with  old 
turpentine,  found  by  surgeons  during  our  Civil  War  so  useful  against 
gangrene,  owed  its  efficacy  to  oxy-pinene  in  a  crude  state. 
We  have  been  informed  that  this  same  old-fashioned  treatment  is 
now  in  use  in  the  German  army. 
The  ozonide  of  pinene,  or  oxy-pinene,  as  Dr.  Waters  calls  it,  is 
probably  the  most  concentrated  form  of  the  valuable  parts  of  "  old 
turpentine,"  and  therefore  should  be  particularly  valuable  in  treating 
wounds,  ulcers,  etc. 
In  making  pharmaceutical  preparations  of  oxy-pinene,  it  must 
be  remembered  that  decomposition  with  formation  of  hydrogen 
peroxide  and  pinene  compounds  takes  place  when  water  is  used,  and, 
unless  this  is  desirable,  water  is  to  be  avoided. 
Also,  all  oxygen  compounds  loosely  combined  are  more  or  less 
dangerous  to  handle  unless  care  be  used.  High  temperatures  are  to 
be  avoided,  or  exposure  to  air  for  any  length  of  time.  For  instance, 
in  making  an  ointment  of  oxy-pinene,  such  bases  as  Ungt.  Aquae 
