628 
Oleum  Rusei. 
f  Am.  Jour.  Pharm- 
I      Dec,  1883. 
strongly  like  Russia  leather.  This  change  will  very  probably  be~ 
effected  in  the  distillation  of  the  empyreumatic  oil  from  the  bark,, 
thereby  accounting  for  its  distinctive  odor.  Independently  of  its  use 
in  currying,  the  oil  is  held  in  high  esteem  by  the  Russian  peasantry  as 
a  household  remedy  for  all  diseases,  as  well  as  by  the  medical  practi- 
tioners in  the  treatment  of  skin  diseases,  rheumatism  and  the  like  ;  it  is- 
similarly  used  in  Germany,  whence  it  is  exported.  Its  reputation  has^ 
traveled  to  this  country,  but  I  am  afraid  that  the  remedy  has  not 
accompanied  the  reputation. 
Through  the  kindness  of  Mr.  Holmes,  Curator  of  the  Museum  oF 
the  Pharmaceutical  Society,  I  have  received  a  small  portion  of  a  veri- 
table specimen  brought  from  Russia  by  Mr.  Greenish,  of  which  Mr^ 
Holmes  gives  me  the  following  particulars : 
^'Specimen  511  b'^  (Museum  Catalogue)  ^4s  a  black  empyreumatic  fluid 
resembling  in  odor  the  liquid  known  as  ^  essence  of  smoke,^  used  for 
curing  hams ;  after  a  mere  trace  of  it  has  been  rubbed  on  the  hand  an 
odor  like  Russia  leather  is  perceptible.  The  fluid,  when  caused  to 
cover  the  side  of  the  bottle  in  thin  layer,  is  black  with  a  brown  tinge. 
I  believe  the  pyroligneous  oil  of  birch  is  sometimes  prescribed 
under  the  name  of  ^  ol.  rusci.'  .  .  .  Dr.  Symes  tells  me  that  there 
is  a  brown  oil  of  birch  which  he  believes  is  only  the  dark  oil  re- 
distilled." 
There  is  no  doubt  whatever  that  oil  similar  to  Mr.  Greenish's  is 
extremely  rare  in  this  country,  although  the  oil  mentioned  by  Dr. 
Symes  is  readily  procurable;  but  there  are  others  which  can  only  be 
called  substitutions  and  sophistications,  and  of  these  I  append  particu- 
lars I  have  only  had  small  samples  given  me,  and  of  these  only  No.. 
1  seems  favorable  for  further  investigation. 
No.  1.  Red-brown  "re-distilled  oil,"  sp.gr.  0-941.  Exposed  for 
fifteen  minutes  on  a  water  bath  it  was  reduced  to  half  its  original  bulk. 
Residue  resembled  Mr.  Greenish's  specimen  ;  betulin  odor  intensified, 
but  more  pyroligneous  than  the  veritable  specimen. 
No.  2.  Red-brown  "  re-distilled  oil,"  sp.  gr.  -876.  (This  oil  is  more 
fragrant  than  the  genuine  or  No.  1,  and  suggests  "  doctoring.")  On  a 
water  bath,  the  greater  part  volatilized  within  ten  minutes,  leaving  a. 
small  residue  of  an  oily  nature  and  strong  pyroligneous  odor. 
No.  3.  A  thick  tar,  black  and  bituminous.  Odor  somewhat  like 
huile  de  cade.  This  was  not  examined,  Hager  stating  that  very  thick 
varieties  should  be  rejected. 
