The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1876-08-19
THE PACIFIC
Commercial AOOertiser.
AUGUST 70.
EUCALYPTUS.

This graceful tree, of which there are many
species, and which Is now to be seen in almost
every garden of the town, and on the island of
Maui in groves, has not ceased to be the subject
of many a wonderful story regarding its almost
miraculous virtues, so imagined. Besides being
an antidote to fever and all sorts Of miasm,
including rheumatism, neuralgia, sore-throat,
&C., it is accredited with other properties not
directly medicinal, though not less marvellous
and useful, such as being a protective, through
its deadly influence on insect life, against ants
and vermin of many kinds. 1t has been said
that plant blights will neither attack it nor trees
planted in is vicinity. Now these statements,
though in some instances not without foundation,
are mostly OF a nature one with that spirit of
exaggeration which made ~ three black crows
out Of an accidental 50 black yomit."
But, where so much interest and speculation
have been evinced in the public mind on any
particular subject as have been the case with the
merits of eucalyptus, it is perhaps no more than
proper that correct data if at hand should be
published, for the benefit of those laboring under
false notions of the marvellous. As regards Its
vermin-killing properties, these are entirely
false, as the ant, the plant-iouse and scale, live
with impunity upon it. Its chief medicinal
properties are allied to those Of cinchona or
Peruvian bark, though possessing in combination
in its juices and woody fibre. other and peculiar
substances whose exact medicinal virtues are
not well known tannin is also largely con-
tanned in the bark and leaves, especially in those
of the red gum or eucalyptus rostrata. Under
the name Of gunnni r1abr1m, the emulation of the
eucalyptus rostrata, may be found in "Squire's
accompaniment to the British Pharmacopoia,''
where it is spoken of as a useful astringent in
mucous discharges, such as diarrhoa and
dysentery,
Though some of the species differ in slight
particulars, the eucalyptus globulus may be
taken as a type of the whole, and the following
succinct account of its therapeutic uses, and
chemical properties from a recent number of the
London Lancet, will serve to d~issipate what is
vague, and impart correct information to those
who wish to know what is real in regard 20 this
truly wonderful plant:
son account of its supposed efficacy in marsh
and other fevers, it has already gained the name
of Fever Tree in Spain. DR.. Lorniser of
Vienna, reports that he employed it ia the treat
ment Of intermittent fever with success. Professor
Gubler has also strongly recommended this
remedy III tue Dulettn ue IhefdpenttQue as a tonic
and stimulant. 1t has also been used in bron-
chitis, and as an antiseptic application to wounds.
1.-The eucalyptus has been subjected to extensive
trial in Corsica by DR.. Carlotti, and his very
favorable report has been translated into English.
From this report we learn that the whole of this
giant tree is strongly impregnated with febrifugal
properties. He has used leaves, bark, and wood,
with success. =
Cigars made from the leaves of this plant have been
employed in cases where the use of antispasmodic
has been indicated, and DIR. Mclean says, as the
result of his experience at Netley, that he knows
of no remedy, with the exception perhaps, of the
subcertaneous injection of morphine, so effcacious
in allaying pain, calming irritation, and procuring
sleep, in cases of chest aneurism involving
pressure on the vagus or its branches. aud in
cardiac asthma, as the eucalyptus g~lobulus.
"By a recommendation from the Minister of the
Interior, the eucalyptus was subjected by Pro-
fessors Yanquelin and Leiciana. They obtained,
besides al essential oil containing eucalyptol or
eucalyptcamphor, an extract resembling resin of
| cinchona. This extract yielded a substance
| capable of neutralizing the strong acids, and
forming crystalline salts. The ~sulphate crystal
| lized in stars like the quinine salt this induced
them to try the action of chlorine and ammonia
on this substance. and the green celebration of
curious if quinine should be found in other trees
than the cinchonas. The oil has q lemon yellow
color, but in other respects it strongly resembles
cajeput oil. AS its alkaloid and its therapeutic
uses resemble those of cinchona it has been given
in similar Doses"