Oleum Volatile Lauri Sassafras

Edin. Oleum Corticis et Ligni Sassafras, Dub. Oil of Sassafras.

Sixty pounds of bruised sassafras yield twelve ounces5 of a viscid yellow oil, heavier than water, its specific gravity being 1.094.° Its odour is fragrant, and its taste hot and acrid, excoriating the lips when incautiously tasted. The Edinburgh College orders it to be distilled from the bruised root.

Medical properties and uses. - This oil is stimulant, and supposed to be also sudorific and diuretic. It is given in

1 Dehne 2 Lewis. 3 Lewis.

4 Ibid. 5 Baume. 6 Baume.

chronic rheumatism, scurvy, and some cutaneous affections. The dose is from ij. to x., but it is scarcely ever ordered. OLEUM MENTHAe PIPERITAe, Lond. Oleum Volatile Menthae Piperitae, Edin. Oleum Herbae Flores-centis Menthae Piperitidis, Dub. Oil of Peppermint.

Syn. Huile essentiale de Menthe poivree (F.), Pfeffermunzohl (G.), Olio di Menta piperitide (I.).

Four pounds of the recent plant yield from one drachm and a half to three drachms and a half of this oil.1 Its odour is strong, and its taste very pungent, at the same time it impresses a sensation of coldness. Its colour is brownish-yellow, becoming white when exposed to the light. Its spec. grav. is .9070.

Medical properties and uses.-Oil of peppermint is stimulant and carminative, useful in cramp of the stomach, flatulent colic, and anorexia, rubbed up with sugar or mucilage.2 The dose is from j. to iij.

Oleum Menthae Viridis

Lond. Oleum Herbae florescentis Menthae Viridis, Dub. Oil of Spearmint.

Syn. Huile essentiale de Baume verte (F.).

This oil has a flavour similar to, but less grateful than that of peppermint: its taste is warm, and less pungent than that of peppermint. According to Lewis, its specific gravity is .975.3 Mr. Brande states it to be .9394. Its colour is greenish.

Medical properties and uses. - The same as those of oil of peppermint. The dose is from ij. to v.

Officinal preparation. Infusum Mentha compositum.

Oleum Menthae Pulegii. Lond. Dub. Oil of Pennyroyal

Syn. Huile essentiale de Menthe Peuliot (F.), Poleiohl (G.), Olio di Pu-leggio (I.), Azeyte de Peleo (S.). •

This oil is of a reddish yellow colour, and resembles in its other qualities the oil of peppermint. Its spec. grav. according to Lewis is .978; according to Mr. Brande .9390.

Medical properties and uses. - It is stimulant and antispasmodic, but is scarcely ever used. The dose may be from

j. to v., given on a lump of sugar.