Terebenum

Terebene

Terebene. A colorless or slightly yellowish thin liquid, having a rather agreeable thyme-like odor, and an aromatic taste. Only slightly soluble in water, but soluble in an equal volume of alcohol. Dose, τηv—3 ss.

Terpini Hydras

Terpin hydrate. Colorless, lustrous, rhombic prisms, nearly odorless, and having a slight aromatic and somewhat bitter taste. Soluble at 59° Fahr. in about 250 parts of water and in 10 parts of alcohol. Dose, gr. ss—gr. v.

By the distillation of turpentine with an alkali, a hydrocarbon (C10H16), which is now designated by our French colleagues by the name terebinthine, is produced. This is converted by hydration into a solid crystalline body—terpine. When terpine is acted on by an acid it is converted into terpinol, so named because it has an oily appearance and consistence. Terebene, as known to English-speaking therapeutists, is derived from turpentine by the action of an acid (sulphuric).

The dose of the hydrate of terpin is from five to twenty grains. Terebene is given in from five to twenty minims. They are but feebly soluble in water, and require alcohol to effect a solution. They can be made into an emulsion, or dropped on a lump of sugar, or put into gelatine capsules. To obtain the best effects of which they are capable, maximum doses are necessary. Their most important uses, also, are in the treatment of affections of the mucous membranes—of bronchitis, emphysema, capillary bronchitis or broncho-pneumonia, asthma, etc. These therapeutical results are for the most part due to the local action at the points of elimination—bronchial and renal. The same action, therefore, occurs in pyo-nephritis and in the catarrhal process affecting the bladder. Dujardin-Beaumetz, in arranging these medicaments in the order of their relative utility, places them thus: in bronchial affections, terpinol or terebene is first, but in renal affections terebinthene or terpine.

Given in full medicinal doses these remedies cause a feeling of warmth in the epigastric region, and, if no local irritation exists, rather stimulate appetite and digestion than impair them. They possess carminative properties, and cause the expulsion of gases. Secretion is increased and the peristaltic movements are also somewhat accelerated. In respect to these actions, these remedies have properties corresponding to those of turpentine. When the tongue is dry and exfoliates in large flakes, the terebinthinate preparations act favorably. When intestinal haemorrhage takes the form of oozing from a large surface, the general condition being one of debility, and the blood impoverished, terebinthene will no doubt act favorably.

The authorities who have contributed most to the existing knowledge are as follows:

Da Costa, Dr. J. M. The American Journal of the Medical Sciences, January, 1866.

Dujardin-Beaumetz. Lectures on New Medicaments.

Lepine, Prop. Bui. Gén. de Thérapeutique and Journal de Thérapeutique for 1886.

Levick, Dr. R. J. The American Journal of the Medical Sciences, January, 1869.

Little, Dr. The Practitioner, vol. ix, p. 369.

Murrell, Dr. The British Medical Journal, 1886, etc.

Oppolzer, Prof. Allgem. Wiener med. Zeit., No. xxxiii, 1866.

See, Prof. G. Ibid.

Topinard, Dr. L. De l'Ataxie Locomotrice, etc., Paris, 1864.

Trousseau, Dr. A. Clinique Médicale de l'Hotel Dieu.

Trousseau et Pidoux. Traité de Thérapeutique et Matiére Medicale, vol. ii, p. 802.

Wood, Dr. George B. The Practice of Medicine, fourth edition, vol. i, p. 346.