TERPIN HYDRATE (terpini hydras, U. S. P.; dipentene-glycol) is the hydrate of the distomic alcohol terpin. It occurs in colorless, lustrous, rhombic prisms, having a slightly-bitter taste, and soluble in benzene (benzol), in 10 parts of cold and in 2 parts of boiling alcohol, in 100 parts of ether, in 200 parts of chloroform, in 250 parts of cold and in 32 parts of boiling water, in equal parts of glacial acetic acid, and in carbon disulphide. • Preparations and Doses. — Terebin thina (U. S. P.), 5 to 30 minims.
Terebinthina Canadensis (U. S. P.), 5 to 30 minims.
Linimentum terebinthime, U. S. P. (resin cerati, 65 parts; oil of turpentine, 35 parts). Used externally.
Oleum terebinthime (C. S. P.), 5 to 30 minims (as anthelmintic, ounce).
Terebenum (U. S. P.). 3 to 15 minims.
Terpini hydras (U. S. P.), 2 to 10 grains.
Physiological Action.—The oil of tur pentine, taken internally in moderate closes, gives rise to a sensation of warmth in the stomach. The circulation is quick ened and the warmth of the skin is in creased; no cerebral stimulation appears, although vertigo and intoxication may come on if the dose be large enough. Small doses frequently repeated stimu late the kidneys; if long continued, irri tation of the genito-urinary tract ensues which may result in strangury. The urine acquires the odor of violets, and may contain blood. Turpentine is ex creted by the lungs and the kidneys, even when taken by inhalation. An ery thematous eruption occasionally appears after the ingestion of turpentine. The coagulability of the blood is increased by the administration of this drug.
Poisoning by Turpentine.—Although turpentine is capable of producing death, cases of serious poisoning by it are rare, and a fatal case is exceedingly so. Most of the symptoms are constant. except vomiting and purging, which are present in some cases and not in others. There is generally complete unconsciousness, which is occasionally accompanied by dilated pupils; the urine, often bloody, is very much lessened in quantity and frequently suppressed; the skin is some times dry, sometimes moist; the pulse is feeble, rapid, and generally regular. The lethal dose is not definitely known, but must be very large. Toxic doses of tur pentine paralyze the sensory nervous sys tem, either in the cord or in the periph eral nerves, and death results from re spiratory paralysis.
The treatment of poisoning by tur pentine consists in the evacuation of the stomach and bowels by liberal doses of magnesium sulphate, the administration of demulcent drinks to soothe the irri tated mucous membrane of the aliment ary canal, and the exhibition of morphine in sufficient doses to control peristalsis, cystic spasm. and pcin.
Therapeutics.—Turpentine is a valu able local application for the purpose of producing counter-irritation over the surface when deep-seated inflammation exists. For this purpose it may be used in the form of a stupe, or diluted with equal parts of olive-oil or cotton-seed oil.
Turpentine is used internally as a dif fusible stimulant in exhausting fevers, especially if flatulence or ulceration be present.
In typhoid fever it is useful to over come tympanites administered internally or as stupe or enema. It is also valuable in the same disease toward the end of the second week when the tongue is red, cracked, and brown, the teeth covered with sorties, and well marked tympany is present, 5 to 10 drops given in emulsion three times a day being usually sufficient. It is again useful during the stage of con valescence from typhoid, when persist ent diarrhcea and constant relapses result from an unhealed condition of Pet'er's patches.
Turpentine is often of service in intes tinal and other passive hremorrhages, such as hxmaturia and menorrhagia.
Turpentine is useful as an hemostatic and also as a stimulant alterative in subacute and chronic catarrh of the gastrointestinal system. In hrematem esis from chronic alcoholism or chronic venous engorgement from other causes it is more efficient than the astringents. The best method of administration is in suspension. Two to 10 drops of turpen tine may be stirred into an ounce or two of water, well sweetened with the saccha rum anisi of the German Pharmacopoeia. Where the stomach is non-retentive, small doses every two hours may be given. In catarrhs of the respiratory system after the subsidence of acute symptoms, where a free secretion is pres ent, or where the catarrh persists with or without localized subcrepitant roles, its value is exceptional. In more chronic cases it is often equally efficacious and less objectionable than guniaeol or crea sote. It is invaluable also in the bron chial catarrhs of the aged and the in firm. In the catarrhal conditions of phthisis, especially when bronehorrffiea is present, it is equal, if not superior, to guaiacol and ereasote, while in the hremorrhages of phthisis it should hold first rank. In hrematuria, as in other mucous it has a great hemostatic virtue. In metrorrhagia without tumor or other palpable cause it is of great service. J. B. Walker (Ther. Graz., July 15, '97).
Turpentine is an efficient, though somewhat dangerous, remedy against tape-worm in the dose of to 1 ounce mixed with an equal quantity of castor oil.
In chronic and well-advanced renal dis ease, turpentine may be used when very large doses of powerful diuretics are re quired to excite the secretion of urine.
A dose of 20 drops is said to be useful in lumbago.
The vapor of turpentine when inhaled from boiling water is valuable in bron chitis. In gleet it is sometimes used to stimulate the genitourinary tract. Tur pentine is an efficient remedy in some cases of purpura luemorrhagica.
Turpentine is contra-indicated in any acute inflammation of the gastrointes tinal tract and in acute nephritis.