361.
Oil of Turpentine.
The oil obtained by distillation from Pinus palustris. Lamb., and other species of Pinus.
Gandhá-barójé-ká-tél (Hind., Punj.) Gandhá-férózé-ká-tél, Káfúr-ká-tailam (Duk.), Kapúrér-tail (Beng.), Karppúrat-tailam (Tam.), Karppúra-tailam (Tel., Mal.), Karapúrada-tailá (Can.), Kápúrácha-tela (Mah.), Karpúrnu-tél (Guz.), Kapuru-tel (Cing.), Piyo-sí (Burm.), Nimiak Kapor Baroos (Malay), Yárí-kanglun-ki-til (Kash.).
362. Oil of Turpentine is procurable in most large bazaars, but not generally sufficiently pure for internal administration. It answers, however, perfectly well for external or local application, and is most valuable in the preparation of Turpentine Stupes or Epithems, which are made in one of the following ways: 1. By steeping a flannel in hot water, as hot as can be borne by the hand, wringing it out dry and sprinkling the surface freely with Oil of Turpentine. 2. By steeping a piece of lint or rag of the required size in Oil of Turpentine, placing it over the affected surface, and immediately applying over it flannel heated before a fire, as hot as can be borne. In either way it acts admirably as a counter-irritant, and in most cases is superior to mustard poultices. It is applicable to all cases of Internal Inflammations, Spasmodic Affections of the Bowels, advanced stages of Dysentery and Diarrhœa, Obstinate Vomiting, Flatulence, and Flatulent Colic, Chronic Bronchitis attended with Cough and Difficulty of Breathing, Asthma, &c.
363. In some cases, greater benefit is derived from applying these Stupes to a distant point rather than near to the affected part; thus, in Apoplexy, Insensibility, Convulsions, Delirium, whether arising in the course of fever or otherwise, they produce the best effects when applied to the feet and to the calves of the legs. In Cholera, when applied successively to the abdomen, over the region of the heart, along the spine and to the extremities, they often seem materially to aid other measures in stimulating the system and raising the vital powers. Turpentine friction and turpentine enemas may also be resorted to as aids to other treatment.
363b. In "Pecnash," or Maggots in the Nose, common amongst the natives of Bengal and other parts of India, "the best treatment is to inject every opening in the skin of those affected with this disease with pure Oil of Turpentine, which is found to kill the maggots, and then to extract any maggots that are visible by means of a pair of forceps. Chloroform is even more efficacious, but is more expensive." (Dr. T. E. B. Brown, Indian Med. Gaz., Sept. 1879, p. 263.)
364. Turpentine Enemas (one ounce of the Oil to 15 ounces of Conjee) are valuable agents in many cases, as in Apoplexy, Insensibility, Convulsions, especially in those after Childbirth, Hysterical Fits, Spasmodic Affections of the Bowels, Flatulence, Flatulent Colic, &c. They, together with turpentine stupes, have sometimes excellent effects in stimulating the system and rousing the vital powers in Delirium and Exhaustion attendant on Fever.
365. For the removal of Thread Worms from the Rectum and Lower Bowel, a Turpentine Enema often proves effectual. In the treatment of Tape Worm Oil of Turpentine is a remedy of established value; it is best given internally in a dose of three drachms with an equal quantity of Castor Oil; the latter is considered to prevent the unpleasant head symptoms which are apt to arise when the Turpentine is given alone. It is best given two or three hours after a meal; if taken on an empty stomach it is apt to produce vomiting. The patient should remain quiet after taking it, and broths and mucilaginous drinks should be taken to aid its operation. The Oil of Turpentine for this purpose should be obtained from a regular chemist or other reliable source.