Turpentine

“ Chian turpentine is a tenacious semi-fluid transparent body, yellow to dull brown in colour, with an agreeable resinous odour and little taste. On exposure to the air it becomes dry, hard, and brittle. In their general characters, turpentines are soft solids or semi-fluid bodies, consisting of a mixture of one or more resins with essential oils, which, although differing in physical properties, have a composition corresponding to the formula C10H16. ”

“ The volatile and more valuable part of the turpentine, by the action of the heat, rises as vapor, then condensing flows off through a pipe in the top of the still, and comes out spirits of turpentine, while the heavier portion finds vent at a lower aperture, and comes out rosin.
No article of commerce is so liable to waste and leakage as turpentine. The spirits can only be preserved in tin cans, or in thoroughly seasoned oak barrels, made tight by a coating of glue on the inner side. ”

“ He commences with stating that wounds of nervous parts are in general very dangerous, and recommends applications of a digestive nature to avert the violent symptoms and pains. In such cases he directs us to bleed and purge, forbids all fomentations of warm water, but approves of those made with tepid oil, after which dressings composed of turpentine-rosin, either by itself or with some sponge, are to be applied. But for women and children of a delicate frame he recommends turpentine alone ”

“ Real larch turpentine is a thick tenacious fluid, of a deep yellow colour, and nearly transparent; it does not harden by time; it contains 15% of the essential oil of turpentine, also resin, succinic, pinic and sylvic acids, and a bitter extractive matter. According to Pereira, much sold under the name of Venice turpentine is a mixture of common resin and oil of turpentine. On the French Alps a sweet exudation is found on the small branchlets of young larches in June and July, resembling manna in taste and laxative properties, and known as Manna de Briançon or Manna Brigantina ”

“ The Virtues of Turpentine.--After a housekeeper fully realizes the worth
of turpentine in the household, she is never willing to be without a
supply of it. It gives quick relief to burns, it is an excellent
application for corns, it is good for rheumatism and sore throat, and it
is the quickest remedy for convulsions or fits. ”

“ Venice turpentine, or oil of turpentine, various essential oils, sulphur, the saliva of a person fasting, and rancid fat were among the earlier expedients adopted and subsequently discarded. The turpentines made the ointment irritating, the sulphur formed a compound, and the rancid fat was found to be worse than the turpentines. Nitrate of potash, sulphate of potash, stearic acid, oil of almonds and balsam of Peru, the precipitation of the mercury from its solution in nitric acid, spermaceti, glycerin, and oleate of mercury have been more modern aids. ”

“ The Venice turpentine, which exudes from the Larch-tree, has a strong smell, and a hot, disagreeable taste: it is less viscid than any of the other turpentines, and generally of a clear whitish or yellowish cast.—This, and the preceding species pay, on importation, a duty of 4 1/2d. per lb.
3. The Strasburgh turpentine possesses an agreeable aromatic odour, but an uncommonly bitter taste; is neither so thick as the first species, nor so thin as the second ”

“ It floats more or less in the fluid, which of course is the spirit of turpentine. The trick, with this preparation, after having put some of the solid and fluid substance together on a plate, is to pour upon it concentrated nitric acid, or a mixture of eight or ten parts of nitric acid, and two of sulphuric acid; inflammation ensues. It is no other in fact than [41] accension of the oil of turpentine; the addition of the spermaceti is altogether secondary, and its effect, if any, must retard instead of promoting the combustion of the turpentine. ”

“ The specific gravity of turpentine oil is ·864; its boiling point, when consisting of pure terebenthene, 156°, but impurities may raise it up to 160°; it is combustible and burns with a smoky flame. Oil of turpentine is very soluble in ether, petroleum ether, carbon disulphide, chloroform, benzene, fixed and essential oils, and by the [134] use of these solvents it is conveniently separated from the contents of the stomach. It is insoluble in water, glycerin, and dilute alkaline and acid solutions ”

“ The following method, which may also be used as a test for the presence of turpentine, is based upon its power of dissolving fats:—Take about 50 gr. of oil of poppy in a graduated glass tube, and add an equal quantity of the sample of essential oil. Shake the mixture up thoroughly and then allow it to stand; if the essential oil be pure, the mixture becomes milky, and does not clear until after several days have passed, whereas it will remain transparent if even so little as 5 per cent. of essence of turpentine be present. ”

“ Cases of Medium Gravity.—In such instances I use a chrysarobin ointment. In more obstinate cases I use local applications of turpentine oil in the morning, and at night a resorcin salicylic ointment. If the parts are much inflamed, at night simply a boric ointment or pack. This treatment gives good results. Turpentine is generally well borne, but patients often complain of a smarting and burning sensation, a quarter or half an hour after the application. Exceptionally one meets with patients who cannot stand turpentine. ”

“ The ordinary name of a pure and normal product, whether sold for food, drug, technical, or other purposes, is all that is necessary. Pure cottonseed oil or turpentine may be sold without any restrictions whatever, whether such article is sold for food, medicinal, or technical purposes, but it is suggested that a cottonseed oil intended for lubricating purposes, or a so-called turpentine consisting of a mixture of turpentine and petroleum oils, used by the paint trade, be plainly marked so as to indicate that they are not to be employed for food or medicinal purposes. ”

“ This mode of adulteration, which is frequent, is naturally the one most difficult of demonstration. In the case of cheap oils such as those of caraway, lemon, orange peel, etc., rectified oil of turpentine is almost without exception the adulterant. The methods usually recommended, such as attempting to dissolve out the oil of turpentine by strong alcohol, hoping thus to separate it from the essential oil, are without practical value. ”

“ If you keep spirits of turpentine in the boxes which contain your preserved specimens, I am of opinion that those specimens will be safe as long as the odor of the turpentine remains in the box, for it is said to be the most pernicious of all scents to insects. But it requires attention to keep up an atmosphere of spirits of turpentine; if it be allowed to evaporate entirely, then there is a clear and undisputed path open to the inroads of the enemy; he will take advantage of your absence or neglect, and when you return to view your treasure you will find it in ruins. ”

“ Burning fluid will do equally well. Then hang them up in a warm place, or where there is a good current of air, which will carry off all smell of turpentine. This method was brought from Paris, and thousands of dollars have been made by it. The spirits of hartshorn may be substituted for the turpentine.
238. Washing Gloves.—If the gloves are so much soiled as to require washing, the best application is a strong lather made of curd soap with new milk; or water will do. A very small quantity of liquid will suffice. ”

“ All spirits of turpentine are gauged by the inspectors of naval stores. Tar and turpentine barrels are marked and certified, and usually show the initials of the maker's name.
Very few people have any correct notion of the number of uses to which the products of turpentine have been put. Let us mention some of the different ways spirits of turpentine enters into the arts and manufactures. ”

“ Pans with hot water were often applied to various parts of the body, but could seldom be long borne, or kept in place, from spasms or other causes of restlessness in the patient.
One remarkable and gratifying effect of the turpentine draughts consisted in what may be p. 7called their acceptability to the stomach. While aromatic and cordial mixtures were instantly rejected, they were generally retained for considerable periods. The turpentine injection had similar effects on the intestines, allaying irritation and checking discharges. ”

“ When a slow current of HCl is passed through cooled spirits of turpentine, two isomeric compounds are formed, one solid, and one liquid. The lower the temperature is kept, the more of the solid body is produced. To obtain the solid body pure it is pressed and recrystallized from ether or alcohol. It is volatile and has the odor of camphor. It is called artificial camphor, and has the composition C10H16HCl. There is also a compound with 2HCl.
Oxidation products. By passing air into spirits of turpentine oxygen is absorbed. ”

“ He adds, that he destroyed the fleas of his puppies by once bathing them in warm water impregnated with oil of turpentine. Mem. d'Agriculture, An. 1787, Trimest. Printemp. p. 109. I sprinkled some oil of turpentine, by means of a brush, on some branches of a nectarine-tree, which was covered with the aphis; but it killed both the insect and the branches: a solution of arsenic much diluted did the same. The shops of medicine are supplied with resins, balsams, and essential oils; and the tar and pitch, for mechanical purposes, arc produced from these vegetable secretions. ”

“ The turpentine gathered from the newly boxed or virgin tree is very valuable, on account of its producing a peculiarly clear and white rosin, which is used in the manufacture of the finer kinds of soap, and by "Rosin the Bow." It commands, ordinarily, nearly five times the price of the common article. When barrelled, the turpentine is frequently sent to market in its crude state, but more often is distilled on the plantation, the gatherers [Pg 102] generally possessing means sufficient to own a still. ”

“ 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. ”

“ A semifluid or fluid oleoresin, primarily the exudation of the terebinth, or turpentine, tree (Pistacia Terebinthus) , a native of the Mediterranean region. It is also obtained from many coniferous trees, especially species of pine, larch, and fir.
There are many varieties of turpentine. Chian turpentine is produced in small quantities by the turpentine tree (Pistacia Terebinthus) . Venice, Swiss, or larch turpentine, is obtained from Larix Europæa. It is a clear, colorless balsam, having a tendency to solidify. ”

“ Setons are dangerous [Pg 526] from the great tendency in this disease to septic complications. Repeated friction of the legs by hand-rubbing and warmth by bandaging and by rubbing the surface of the body with turpentine and alcohol, which is immediately to be dried by rough towels, will excite the circulation and stimulate the emunctories of the skin.
Stimulants are given internally from the outset of the disease. Turpentine in 1-dram doses regulates the heart and excites the kidneys to carry off waste matter, but if repeated too frequently may disturb the already delicate digestive system. ”

“ If a dark trace remains, it sometimes may be removed by oxalic acid if the spot has not been burned by the hot tar. Whenever turpentine is used on any spots, it should always be the purest obtainable. ”

“ Where the work will bear the expense, and is not exposed to a heat of more than 130 degrees of Fahrenheit, the best composition is the following: Equal parts of turpentine (the fluid resin, not the essential oil) , bees'-wax, black resin and maltha, or coal tar, boiled together till they cease to rise—that is, till the white cream or scum proceeding from the separation of the essential oil disappears. Apply it warm with a turpentine brush—two or three coats, to cover the cracks or pores left by the brush. ”

“ Vegetable oils like linseed oil are not destructive to this vegetable growth, but turpentine is, hence the first thing to do in aggravated cases is to wash well and freely with turpentine, removing any loose paint; this will very largely destroy such growths. In addition, an exceptionally large amount of turpentine should be used in the first coat applied over such a surface; the paint should be well flatted. An undercoating well flatted with turpentine applied over a mildewed surface which has been washed with turpentine offers the best possible protection against repetition of the trouble. ”

“ Turpentine Liniment is a valuable application in Chronic Rheumatism, Lumbago, Sciatica, and other forms of Neuralgia, in Chronic Enlargement of the Joints, Bruises, Sprains, Muscular Pains, &c. It is formed by dissolving one ounce of Camphor in 16 ounces of Oil of Turpentine, and then adding two ounces of Soft Soap, rubbing them together until they are thoroughly mixed. Chronic Coughs, especially of the aged, are much benefited by this liniment well rubbed into the chest at night. ”