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398 DENTAL MEDICINE.

local anaesthetic. A ten per cent, solution may be made by add-
ing 48 grains of beta-eucaine to the ounce of distilled water, and
the solution brought to the boiling point. Of such a solution
(10 per cent.) five to eight minims is a proper dose by hypodermic
injection. Some recommend an eight per cent, solution as strong
enough for the painless extraction of teeth. The mode of ap-
plication and the precautions to be observed in employing such a
solution in the extraction of teeth, are similar to those for the
administration of cocaine solutions.
Eucaine solution is also serviceable in capping crowns of teeth,
inserting bridge-work, and applying clamps in connection with
the rubber dam, especially when the gums are tender and bleed-
ing ; also for hypersensitive dentine, especially by the cataphoric
method. (See Vapocaine.)

EUCALYPTUS.
Source.—Eucalyptus is obtained from the eucalyptus globulus,
a tree of large size, and of the natural order Myrtaceae, found
originally in Australia, and known as the " Blue Gum Tree."
These trees are now growing in the southern parts of Europe
and the United States, and northern Africa, and their presence is
thought to be preventive of malaria. The leaves, which arc
ensiform, of a grayish-green color, and parchment-like, are the
only part which possesses medicinal qualities. They have a
pleasant, aromatic odor, with a warm, bitter, and somewhat
pungent taste, like that of cubebs, the fresh being more active
than the dried leaves.
The chief medicinal constituent of eucalyptus is the oil
{Oleum Eucalypti U. S.), from which is derived a camphoraceous
body obtained by re-distillation with caustic potash or chloride of
lime, known as Eucalyptol^ U. S. The oil of eucalyptus and
eucalyptol is used for the same purposes, but eucalyptol is the
refined product of the oil.
Medical Properties and Action.—Eucalyptus is antiseptic, disin-
fectant, sedative, tonic, diaphoretic and somewhat astringent.
When taken into the mouth, it excites a flow of saliva, and
leaves a hot, pungent taste, and a persistent and disagreeable