Page 4 Advertisements Column 2

Thames Star, Volume X, Issue 3096, 20 January 1879, Page 4

Medical A CONTEOVERSY SETTLED. TRUTH TRIUMPHANT, EUCALYPTI OIL. LET the Public take notice of a few facts put forward for their iafermation in this intimation. Thoy may be worth their study, and repay perusal in enlightening them upon a subject of practical utility. THE HISTORY OF THE OIL'S DISCOVERY. The Australian anti-fever tree—that is the blue gum, or eucalyptus globulits— has now spread its fame throughout the world, but there are many who do nob properly estimate its splendid qualities. It has been estimated that the Australian blue gums, which stud the face of the colony, contain about five hundred million gallons of pure volatile oil, that is the mortal foe of fever and ague. Every day in the year the forests of the colony are giving out and exhaling, in the form of vapor, an aromatic fragrance to our breezes, and a health-giving essence to our people. This fact is now recognised by all the scientists in the world. .Years ago enquiring minds bent their energies to utilise this splendid quality of the blue gum, and bring it into the reach of the public. Amongst these were Mr Bosisto, who over a dozen years since produced and exhibited in Dublin a tannate liquor resenoid of the tree. This, however, was but the first step. The nature of the liquor would not permit of its general me. Since that lime it has been somewhat improved, and a species of .the eucalyptus oil was some years ago manufactured. Still, the article being of a resinous turpentiny nature, was not such as could ever become a public favorite, and it has been reserved for a firm known as SANDEE AND SONS, SANDHTTBST,_ to purify and bring before the public in a form that is PUBE, ESSENTIAI, AKD VOIATIEEi a genuine essence of the Australian bluegnm. After years of study they have accomplished this point. This is a fact which is now past the stage of conjecture. It is interesting to note how this has, in successive stages, been brought before the public. On the 27th of July, 1876, the Bendigo Advertiser wrote as follows, quoting a TESTIMONY TBOM A * GERMAN OTIVEBSITY. 1 New Local Indttstbt. —At the erection of the dye-works of Messrs Sander and Sons we had occasion to mention the spirit of enterprise displayed by the firm, and to-day another opportunity is offered of mentioning their inquiring disposition as to industries. Messrs Sander and Sons, concluding upon the faot that the planting of the Australian gum in America and other countries where fevers are prevailing, prevented partially the spread of such fevers, manufactured about a year ago small quantities of the essential oil of the gum, and forwarded the same for investigation to one of the universities of Germany. Now they learn that the results of that invesgation are the most favorable that could be expected as to the sanative power of that product. The correspondent's letter to Messrs Sander and Sons says, concerning the matter: " We found the essential oil enclosed unsur. passed by any known remedy in all cases of wounds, burns, or cancerous wounds, inflammation, and in all diseases of the skin, and are of opinion that the oil will be exclusively applied to diseases of the said kind as soon as it can be got. We conclude further, from the great effect the oil produces in cases of external inflammation, it may be used with the same success in inflammation of the throat, colds, affections of the lungs, etc. Repeated strong inhaling of the smelling vapor in cases of colds, clears the nostrils, and gives immediate relief, and full riddance of the heat. As a disinfectant in general, it may be said without previous observation that it deserves the preference of any other remedy to purify the air in cases of fever. In that respect it deserves all attention of the medical profession of onr crowded cities, where the want of space and uninterrupted presence of foul air are the everlasting promoters of epidemic diseases. A few drops exposed in open vessels at different places oi the sick room or houae, in evaporating clear the air. The other sample you have forwarded is here already known, and represents more oil-like turpentine than an essential oil. It is not soluble in spirts of wine, as it ought to be if of essential character. In consequence it has nojfamiliarity whatever with your preparation, and is far inferior in value as a medicament." The recommendation from the German University is a strong one, and our medical gentlemen if they choose, can readily prove its reliability. For this purpose Messrs Sander and Sons are prepared to supply them quantities free of cost. They have already Bent samples to the various hospitals in Victoria. TWO SOETS OP Oil. Thus we see there are two distinct kinds of eucalypti oil—the purified and refined article manufactured by Messrs Sander and Sons, of Sandhurst, as well as a grosser material that must not be confounded with it. Apparently not recognising this, Mr Bosisto wrote to the Bendigo Advertiser in reference to the above as follows:—"Sir, —I observe in your issue of the 27th instant, a notice under the heading 'A New Local Industry,' at the dye-works of Messrs Sander and Son, setting forth the new gum oil, together with a report from Germany on its virtues, etc. I desire to inform you that for the past fifteen years I have described the physical and chemical characters of every species of the eucalyptus growing in Victoria, besides a number of others outside, over and over again, in medical and scientific journals of Victoria and Great Britain; and moreover that in many museums of Germany, France, Italy, Spain, India, America and Great Britain, are to be seen not only specimens of the eucalypti oils, but many other serviceable and utilitarian products from the whole group of Australian eucalypti, presented, during the past fifteen years, by myself. What appears from the correspondent of Germany is merely language rehabilitated from my own writings. —I am repectfully yours, Joseph Bosisto, Richmond, 27th July, 1876.'* The reply to the above letter came promptly and sharply from the new manufacturing firm, who wrote the very next day (August 1) to the editor of the same paper. —" Sir, — Your issue of the 31st instant contains a letter from Mr Joseph Boeisto, of Richmond, treating upon our correspondence received from Germany, concerning the investigation of two different sorts of oil (eucalypti) forwarded by us to Germany. We are quite at a lobs to ace the purpose of Mr Bosisto's letter, and whatever celebrity he may have acquired by his scientific writings about the physical and chemical characters' of the eucalypti growing in Victoria, it might be putting too much self confidence in one's self believing that in all partß of the world his writings will be taken notice of. We know that German scientific bodies examine all new remedies offered by science; and then, relying on their own opinions, either approve or reject them. Now we learn that the second sort of oil (eucalypti} mentioned near the end of our correspondent's letter is a product of Mr Boeisto's, who must, probably, feel uneasy in Beeiug it mentioned as inferior. to our manufacture. However, Mr Bosiato is no more oblo to contend against facts than anybody else, and after having procured a sample of his manufacture, we tried to dissolve it in spirits of wine, and found—quite in accordance with tho information received from