Extract of Eucalyptus.

Manawatu Herald, 1 March 1898, Page 3

Extract of Eucalyptus.

—^ — — ♦- The following appeared in the "Border Post," Albury, during the last epidemic of Influenza in that town (14th December, 1897.) A qualified Medical Practitioner Writes!— #l Having read about the epidemic outbreak of influenza in your city, I wish to state my experience with that malady, and leave it to the publio whether they wish to avail themselves of the remedy I am going to suggest or not. During the laat epidemic of influenza in London 'I was engaged M medical officer in St. Mary's Hospital, Paddington, and during the short time it lasted treated » considerable number of patient?, finding that especially the nervous symptoms such as headache, extreme weakness,, restlesness, etc, were greatly improved by the following iftfedicinal treatment;- 1 bad an gjffoinary wide-moutbed magnesia roUle filled with boiling water, and poured upon this 20 to SO drops of extract of Eucalyptus, and made the patient inhale the vapour thus produced as long a 9 there was any smell of the Eucalyptus to bedetected. These inhalations to be given three times daily. Bssidei this I ordered the patient to take the following mixture : — Extract of Eucalyptus and rectified Spirit of Wine equal parts; 10 drops in half. a wineglassfall of milk every two hours. I may state thai I used. Sander & Sons' preparation exclusively, having found that it was the only one that could fee relied upon. The cases treated in this manner recovered quickly and without the occurrence of any complication*. • Since I am id Australia I heard frequently the objection raised that Eucalyptus is depressing the circulatory system. In my experience it is the least depressing of any antipyretic drug, and when a pure preparation is used in the manner indicated above, greater benefit is derived from its administration than from that of any other remedial agent. If we oonaider the case of the malady, it being an infections disease due to the infection of the' mucous membranes j by the bacilli of influenza (Pfeiffer, Kitasata : Berliner Kliniiche Wochensohoift, 1892, page 28) we can easily understand the modus operandi of the remedy suggested. We all know that a re fined and uniform prepara tion of Eucalyptus like Sander k Sons, possesses great germicidal properties, Professor Lister pronouncing it to be three times as strong ia that direction as the strongest solution of carbolic acid that can be employed with Bafety. If now the germs are removed, the poisonous products of their me^a* morpboMß (technically called ptomaines) also cease to be created, the irritation of the different tissues by them is stopped, and the nervous system hae a chance of recuperating itsetf. I trust the publication of the above may prove bamficial to your readers."