The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1873-11-06
CAMPHOR.


uIar medicinal agent for householduse
is camphor, drug which has been
regarded as cure-all by Moth ers,
grandmothers and great great grand
mothers down through many genera
tions. The ''camphor bottle" hold
ing a solution of the agent in rum,
or dilute ALCOHOLICS found upon shelf
in almost every dwellings, and if
among the younger or older members
Of the family an ankle is turned, or a
limb bruised, or there is head ache,
or tooth ache, OF belly ache; down
comes the camphor bottle, aud the
suffering member is well dosed
Camphor IS a powerful agent, and in
moderate doses is capable of dong
much mischief 1t is matter of
wonder that 80 few instances. ofinjury
result, considering its wide spread,
empirical employment.
Camphor is brought to this coun-
try in crude or impure state, and
here it is subject to the process of
distill4tion to render it fit for em ploy-
ment. There are several important
refneres in the country. One of
which is at Rumney, N. H. A corr
espond ent of The Ieopte presents
thes following interesting facts regard.
ing csmphor and this refinery
The camphor of commerce comes
from Formosa, Sumatra, Borneo,
Japan, and Chins. 1t is obtained iii
crystalline masses already formed,
and also in grains by distiIlation.
The tree which produces the former
kind IS near relative Of our bass
wood, which we know as a charming
tree, pc Tuning the air and yielding
the finest honey in the world. 1t
grows on the Diri Mountains in
Sumatra, and IN Borneo. 1t towers
upward more than hundred feet,
and has been known TO attain girth
Of fifty feet. The spirited persua-
sion of the axe draws from this
forest monster the white treasures
secreted in the longitudinal assures
in It's heart wood, sometimes, though
rarely,in layer as large as mans
arm, more frequently i'll small pieces
to be carefully extracted by some
sharp point ed instrument. 1t is not
an abundant bearer, Twenty pounds
is rate yield for a great tree; ten
POUNDS is good haryast from one
OF medium size, and many are feIled
and split that furnish 10 champor.
This, however. is not an entire..waste
since t wood ls easily worked and
Is never attacked by the voracious
myrlads OF Eastern insects which
destroy all other varieties except the
teak aid calahbuco. House and
ship timber are made from it, besides
many articles of furniture, and the
aromatic trunk is extremely valuable
to the houskeeper of our colder eli
mate. This kind Of camphor seldom,
finds lis wayto Europe and America
The Chinese ascfibe TO it marvellous
medicinal properties, and pay for it
enormous sums, therby securing the
entire yield.
Common camphor is obtained by
Installation from the root, steam, and
and leaves of certain species of
Iauroc,g, but more especially from
the taurus compton. Of this, also.
there are two varieties. The
Chinese or Formosa camphor is carri-
ed in junksto Canton md there pack
cd in square chests lined With lead,
whence it is sent to the different
Eastern ports, where we procure it.
1t is OF grayish color with grain
like sugar, and usually unattractive
The Dutch Or Japan camphor is pre-
pared III Batavi~, is packed in tubs
securely matted, is pinkish in hue
and coarser than the Chinese. Both
kinds need publication before US
ing.
Camphor is slightly saIuble in
water but yields freely to alcohol
acetic acid, ether aad the essential
oils. A pretty experiment may be
tried with it, which the young people
will find amusing. Scatter few
pieces of clean camphor upon pure
water, and they. will whirI and sal