584

Dl STILLED, OR VOLATILE OlLS.

PART III.

acrid to the taste. Its colour is yellow ; but it becomes colour-less on being kept exposed to light.

Medical properties and uses. — This oil is the principle onwhich the virtues of savine depend; hence it possesses thesame properties, and is applicable to the same purposes as theplant. The dose may be from iilij. to |j{. vj. triturated withsugar.

ORLEUM CORNU CERVINI RECTIFICATUM.Dub. Rectified Oil of Hartshorn.

" Take of the oil which rises in the distillation of thevolatile liquor of hartshorn, three pounds ,■ water, six pints.

" Distil the oil, then remix it with the water, and re-distil, repeating the distillations until the oil become limpid.It ought to be preserved in a dark place, in small phialscompletely filled, and closely stopped."

This empyreumatic oil is first formed by the decompositionof animal matter by heat; and arises from a new combinationof part of the hydrogen and carbon of the substance distilled.As first obtained it is thick, of a dark colour, and has a veryoffensive odour; but by the rectification above ordered, it isrendered thinner, and less offensive.

Qjualities. — Rectified oil of hartshorn is nearly colourlessand transparent; has a strong, slightly aromatic odour, and apenetrating taste. It is very light and volatile, strikes a greencolour with syrup of violets; is partially soluble in water, andunites readily with alcohol, ether, and oils. The acids formwith it a thick saponaceous compound; and with the alkaliesit forms a true soap. Exposure to light and air destroys itstransparency, and gives it a deep brown colour.

Medical properties and uses. — This oil is stimulant, anti-spasmodic, anodyne, and sudorific. It was formerly regardedas a remedy of much efficacy in fever, particularly whengiven a few hours before the accession of the paroxysm ofintermittents; and was also much employed in epilepsy, hys-teria, and all convulsive affections. It is now almost dis-carded from practice, being only occasionally used as anexternal application to paralytic limbs. The dose may befrom mx. to v\ xxx. in a sufficient quantity of water.

OLEUM SUCCINI. Lond. 1 Oil of Amber.

" Put the amber into an alembic, and distil from asand-bath, with a fire gradually raised, an acid liquor, theoil, and a salt impregnated with the oil. Then redistil theoil twice."

Oleum Succini. Edin. Oil of Amber.

1 Huilc de Succin {F.) Bernsteinchl (G.) Olio di Succino Rettificato (J.)