Page 4 Advertisements Column 2

Thames Star, Volume X, Issue 3097, 21 January 1879, Page 4

Medical A CONTROVERSY SETTLED. TRUTH TftIUMPHAHT. EUCALYPTI OIL. LET the Public take notice of a few facts put forward for their information in this intimation. They 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 globulus —has now spread its fame throughout the world, but there are many who do not 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 trad 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. Tho nature of the liquor •would not permit of its general' use. Since that time it bus 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 SAKDEB AND SONS, SANDHUBST, to purify and bring before the public in ft form that is PUBE, ESSENTIAL, AND VOXATII.E, a genuine essence of the Australian blueguin. 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 27tb of July, 1876, the Bendigo Advertiser wrote as follows, quoting a

TESTIMONY TBOM A GEBMAN TJHIVEBSITY. New Local Industry.—At the erection of the dye-works of Messrs Bander and Sons we had occasion to mection tbe 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 fact 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 tbe 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 Bander 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 c»nccrous 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 at it can be got. We conclude further, from the great effect tbe oil produces in cases of external inflammation, it may be ÜBed with the same success in inflammation of tbe 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 eaid 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 our crowded cities, where tbe want of space and uninterrupted presence of foul air are the everlasting promoters of epidemic diseases. A few drops exposed jn open vessels at different places ot the sick room or house, 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." Tho recommendation from the German University is a strong one, and our medical gentlemen if they choose, con readily prove its reliability. For this purpose Messrs Sander and Sons are prepured to supply them quantities free of cost. They have already sent samples to the various hospitals in Victoria.

TWO SOBTS OF 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 ns follows :—" Sir, —I observe in your issue of the 27th instant, a netice under the heading 'A New Local Industry,' at the dye-works of Messrs Sander and Son, Betting 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 Greutßritain jar d moreover that in nanny museums of Germany, France, Italy, Spam, 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 paßt fifteen years, by myself. What appears from the correspondent of Germany is merely language rehabilitated from my own writings. —I am repectfully yours, JoaHPH BosiSTO, Richmond, 27th July, 1876."

The reply to the above letter came promptly and sharply from tlio new manufacturing firm, who wiote the very next day (August 1) to the edi»or of the s!»me paper.—"Sir,— Your issue of the 31st instant contains a letter from Mv Joseph Botisto, of Richmond, treating upon our correspondence received from tJerir.any, concerning the investigation of two different eorfs of cil (eucalypti) forwarded by ub to Germany. We are quite at a loss to see the purpose of Mr Bosisto's letter, and whatever celebrity he may have acquired by his scientific writings about the physical and chemicrtl of the eucalypti growing in Victoria, it might be putting too much self confidence in ene's self believing that in all pans of the world his writings will be taken notice of. We know that Gerinun scientific bodies examine all new remedied oflered 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 Bosieto's, who must, probably, feel uneasy in seeing it mentioned aB inferior to our manufacture. However, Mr Bosisto is no more »bl« to cot tend against; facts than anybody else, and afit-r having procured a cauipio of liin nißuufucture, we tried to diesolvo it in spirits of wine, and found—quite in ace rdance with tho information received from