Origin. - A volatile oil recently distilled from turpentine - a concrete oleoresin obtained from Pinus palustris Miller and other species of Pinus.

Description and Properties. - A thin, colorless liquid, of a characteristic odor and taste, both of which become stronger and less agreeable with age and exposure to air. Soluble in three times its volume of alcohol. Oil of turpentine should be kept in well-stoppered bottles, protected from light.

Dose. - 5-15 minims (0.3-1.0 Cc), in emulsion.

Official Preparations

Emulsum Olei Terebinthinae - Emulsi Olei Terebinthinae - Emulsion of Oil of Turpentine. - Definition. - A 15 per cent. (by volume) emulsion of rectified oil of turpentine, containing 5 per cent. (by volume) of expressed oil of almond. Dose. Average dose: I fluidram (4 Cc), U. S. P. One fluidram contains about 9 minims of oil of turpentine.

Linimentum Terebinthinae - Linimenti Terebinthinae - Turpentine Liniment (35 per cent. with resin cerate). For external use.

Oleum Terebinthinae Rectificatum - Olei Terebinthinae Rectificati - Rectified Oil of Turpentine. - Dose, 5-15 minims (0.3-1.0 Cc.) [15 minims (1 Cc).

Physiological Action. - Externally and Locally. - When applied to the epidermis the drug dilates the cutaneous blood-vessels, occasioning a sensation of heat and producing redness of the skin, and, if the oil be applied with inunction for any length of time, vesication ensues, with, occasionally, intractable ulcerations. The fumes of oil of turpentine when inhaled cause great irritation of the eyes and the respiratory passages.

The drug is readily absorbed from the unbroken skin.

Internally. - Digestive System. - When taken into the mouth turpentine produces a burning, pungent taste and an immediate and augmented salivary secretion. Swallowed in immoderate amounts, the drug occasions a sensation of heat in the epigastrium, with increased peristaltic action and secretion. The intestines are similarly affected, the intestinal peristalsis being greatly augmented, the drug acting as an efficient carminative.

Large doses of turpentine produce severe burning pain in the stomach and bowels, accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and purging, the feces often containing blood.

The drug is an efficient anthelmintic for tapeworm.

Circulatory System. - Turpentine is a cardiac stimulant, increasing the force and rapidity of the heart's action and raising arterial tension by direct cardiac influence. The blood-vessels are contracted by the drug, which may account for its hemostatic properties. Very large doses slow the heart by stimulating the vegus inhibitory center.

Nervous System. - Small doses increase and large doses diminish reflex excitability. Large doses produce giddiness, mental exhilaration, and incoherence of ideas, followed by dulness and occasional coma.

There is incoordination of movements, resulting in unsteady gait, great muscular weakness, and diminished sensation, usually preceding the impairment of voluntary motion.

Respiratory System. - The effect of inhaled oil of turpentine on the respiratory passages has been described. When ingested the drug increases and disinfects the bronchial secretion. Small doses increase and large doses diminish the respiratory movements.

Absorption and Elimination. - Oil of turpentine is rapidly diffused in the blood, in moderate doses stimulating the kidneys and increasing the flow of urine, to which it imparts the odor of violets. Large doses irritate the kidneys, lessening the amount of urine, rendering it highly colored, and in some cases producing albuminuria, hematuria, and even total suppression. There are present priapism and a frequent desire to micturate.

Turpentine is rapidly eliminated from the system, not only by the kidneys, but by the skin, and bronchial and intestinal mucous membranes as well.

Temperature. - The drug is a mild antipyretic.

Untoward Action. - Erythema and eczematous eruptions are produced by both the ingestion and the local application of turpentine. In susceptible individuals small doses may occasion serious disturbances of the genito-urinary and gastro-intestinal tracts, such as strangury, painful erections, salivation, and stomatitis.

The administration of repeated doses of oil of turpentine may produce peculiar nervous manifestations, such as headache, drowsiness, dizziness, and a sense of mental vacuity.

Poisoning. - Few cases are recorded of death resulting from the ingestion of excessive amounts of turpentine, owing to the fact that the greater amount of the drug is eliminated by the intestines.

The symptoms produced by very large doses are - great muscular weakness, abolition of reflexes, and violent vomiting and purging, with bloody evacuations from the bowels. There is great irritation of the genito-urinary tract, with constant efforts to micturate, hematuria or entire suppression of urine, painful priapism, and violent strangury.

The skin is moist and the face flushed or cyanosed, while dilatation of the pupils, slow, labored and stertorous breathing, and occasionally paroxysms of convulsive coughing, may be attendant symptoms. Convulsions may occur. Icterus has been noted.

Either great mental excitement or profound insensibility may be present. The heart and circulatory system are greatly depressed, death, when occurring, being usually the result of cardiac failure. 15 Gm. has been deadly for a child, and 120 Gm. has been taken by an adult without a fatal result.

A form of chronic poisoning frequently is seen among those who work with turpentine, such as painters, etc.; sleepiness, heaviness, easily tired, and great muscular heaviness are frequent symptoms. Insomnia, irritable heart action, acne, and general malaise are other common symptoms.

Treatment of Acute Poisoning. - The stomach should be at once evacuated, and elimination favored by every possible means. The free administration of demulcent drinks is advisable, while to relieve pain, opium may be given. Other symptoms should be treated according to their indications.

Therapeutics. - Externally and Locally. - Oil of turpentine is an efficient counterirritant, being employed as such in lumbago, myalgia, neuralgia, rheumatic pains, bronchitis, pleurisy, and various forms of chronic inflammation. A turpentine stupe is perhaps the most effective method in the local application of the drug. It is applied as follows: (1) A flannel is wrung out of hot water, sprinkled well with the oil, and allowed to remain in contact with the affected part for from five to twenty minutes, as indicated by the sensibility of the skin. Care must be taken in the preparation of the flannel lest the patient be chilled or scalded. (2) A vessel containing the oil is placed in hot water and a flannel wrung from the oil applied as desired.

A turpentine stupe is perhaps the most grateful and efficient local application in peritonitis.

Owing to its antiseptic and hemostatic properties the oil of turpentine is frequently and beneficially employed as a dressing for lacerated wounds.

The drug is an active parasiticide, and has been used successfully in the treatment of tinea tonsurans, etc. It has also been favorably recommended, when diluted with some bland oil, as a remedy for alopecia areata and psoriasis.

Turpentine serves a useful purpose in many diseases of the ear and throat.

J. Solis Cohen recommends the vapor of turpentine as an efficient means of allaying the cough and irritation occasioned by acute laryngeal catarrh.

The inhalation of the oil of turpentine lessens pulmonary hyperemia and excessive bronchial secretion.

Internally. - Turpentine is a valuable remedy for gastric or intestinal flatulence, particularly when the condition arises from an atonic state of the muscles of the stomach or intestines.

The drug is frequently employed in typhoid fever, not only for the relief of tympanitis, but also to check intestinal hemorrhage.

In chronic intestinal catarrh, as well as in a catarrhal condition of any mucous membrane, turpentine is a valuable remedial agent.

Turpentine is a very powerful anthelmintic against tapeworm. When given for this purpose it should be administered in a single large dose, from 4-8 fluidrams (15.0-30.0 Cc), together with a large dose of some purgative like castor oil to ensure the prompt elimination of the turpentine from the bowels.

As has been suggested, the drug has a decided and beneficial influence upon relaxed and chronic catarrhal conditions of mucous membranes, rendering this remedy of great value in bronchorrhea, chronic bronchitis, emphysema with marked bronchial catarrh, etc. This action upon the mucous membranes, together with the diuretic properties of the drug, renders turpentine an exceedingly valuable remedy in the treatment of gleet, subacute gonorrhea, chronic cystitis, spermatorrhea, prostatorrhea, pyonephrosis, etc.

Contraindications. - Oil of turpentine should never be given to patients suffering from Bright's disease or acute inflammation of the gastro-intestinal or genito-urinary tracts.

Administration. - Small doses of turpentine may be given on lumps of cut sugar, but usually preference is given to administration in the form of a capsule or an emulsion, 1 fluidram (4.0 Cc.) of mucilage of acacia, if properly manipulated, emulsifying 1/2 fluid-dram (2.0 Cc.) of oil of turpentine with 1 fluidounce (30.0 Cc.) of water. Flavoring substances can be incorporated in the emulsion, rendering the preparation not unpleasant to the taste.

In giving turpentine its tendency to produce untoward manifestations, particularly of the genito-urinary tract, should be remembered, care being invariably exercised in the administration of the drug.

For external use the drug may be used in full strength, diluted with some bland oil or ointment, or applied in the form of stupes.

Turpentine is sometimes employed as an enema, in which case it should, of course, be mixed with some bland oil and mucilage of acacia in the form of an emulsion.