Page 4 Advertisements Column 2

Thames Star, Volume X, Issue 3114, 10 February 1879, Page 4

Medical A COHT£OVERSY SETTLED. •* TRUTH TRIUMPHANT, EUCALYPTI OIL. LET tbe Public take notice of a few facts put forward for their information in tbie intimation. They may be worth their study, and repay perusal in enlightening tuein 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 gldbulus—^B 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, I 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 benttbeir energies to utilise this splendid quality of the blue gum, and bring it into the reach of the public. AmoDgst these were Mr Boeisto, who over a dozen years since produced and exhibited in Dablin a tannate liquor resenoid of the tree. Tbie, hewever, was but the first step. The nature of the liquor would not permit of its general we. Since that time 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 Las been reserved for a firm known as SAVDEB ADD BONS, SANDHTJBST, to purify and bring before the public in a form that is FUBE, BSSENTIAI, AND TOIATIIE, a genuine essence of the Australian blueg-m. After years of study they have accomplished this point. This is a fact which is now pact the stage of conjecture. It is interesting to note how this has, in successive stages, been brought before tbe public. On the 27th of July, 1876, the Bendigo Advertiser wrote as follows, quoting a TEBTJMOKI FBOM A GEBMAU TJHIVEBSITY. New Local Industry.—At the erection of tbe dje-works of Messrs Sander and Sons we had occasion to mention the spirit of enterprise displayed by the firm, and today another opportunity is offered of mentioning their inquiring disposition as to industries. Messrs bander and Sons, concluding upon the fact that the planting of the Australian gum in America and other countries where fevers are prevailing, prevented partially tbe 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 ona of the universities of Germuny. Now they learn that the results of that invesgation are the moßt favorable that could be expected as to the sanative power of that product. The correspondent's letter to Messrs Sat\der and Sons says, concerning the matter : "We found the essential oil enclosed unsurpassed by any known remedy in all caees 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 disease! of the said kind as soon a* it can be got. We conolwde further, from tbe great effect the oil produces in cases of external inflammation, it may be used with tbe time success in inflammation of the throat, colds, affections of the lungs, etc. Repeated strong inhaling of the smelling vapor in oases of colds, clears the noßtrils, and gives immediate relief, and full riddunce of tbe heat. Abb 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 our 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 house, in evaporating clear ths 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 Bpirts of wine, as it ought to be if of essential character. In consequence it has no t f«miliarity whatever with your preparation, and is far inferior in value as a medicament." The recommendation from the German University is a strong one, end 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 coßfc. 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 Bander and Sons, of Sandhurst, as well as a grosser material that "mußt 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 inetiuit, a notice under the heidirg 'A New Local Industry,' at the dyewurks 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 pact fifteen years I have described the physical and chemical characters of every species of the eucalyptus growing in Victoria, bisides a number of others outside, over and over agnin, in medical und scientific journals of Victoria and Great Britain ; and moreover that in runny museums of Germany, France, Italy, Spain, India, America and Great Britain, are to bo seen not only specimens of the eucalypti oils, but many other serviceable and utilitarian products from the whole group of Australian eucalypti, presented, during tbe 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 Eosisto, Richmond, 27th July, 1876."

The replj to the nbore letter came promptly nnd sharply frum the new manufacturing firm, who wiote the very next day (August 1) to the editor of the sune paper.—'Sir,— Your ieeue of the 31st inetant contains a letter from Mr Joseph Boueto, of Bichmond, treating upon our correspondence received from C ermany, concirning the investigation of two different sorts of oil (eucalypti) forwarded by us to Germany. We aie quite at a loss to see the purpose of Mr Bosieto's letter, and whatever celebrity he may have acquired by hiß scientific writings about the physical and chemical characters of the eucalypti growing in Victoria, it might be putting too much self confidence in ene's self believing that in all parts of the world hiß writings will be taken notice of. We know that German scientific bodies examir.e all new remedies ofiered by tcience ; and then, relying on their own opinions, either approve or reject them. Sow we learn that the second sort of oil (eucalypti mentioned near the end of our correspondent's letter is a product of Mr Bosisto's, who must, probably, feel uneasy in seeing it mentioned as inferior to our manufacture. Howtver, Mr Boeisfo is no more oble to voi.tend against facts than anybody else, and after Jiaviug procured a eauiple of his manufacture, we tried to dissolve it in spirits of wine, and found—quite in accordance with tho informtilion received from