Expressed Oil Of Nutmeg (Oleum Myrislicæ Expressum, Adeps Myristicce, Brit. Pharm. 1864). A concrete oil obtained by means of expression and heat from nutmegs. It is of an orange colour, firm consistence, and fragrant odour like that of nutmeg; soluble in four times its weight of boiling alcohol, or half that quantity of ether.
A useful application in rheumatism, paratysis, and sprains, for which purpose it should be diluted with a little bland oil or Soap Liniment. It forms an ingredient in Emplastrum Picis and Emplastrum Calefaciens.
[Mace, the false aril or arillode investing the shell of the kernel as met with in commerce, occurs in single or double blades, flat, irregularly slit, smooth, slightly flexible or brittle ; of a pale cinnamon-yellow or golden-yellow colour, and an odour and taste analogous to those of nutmegs. It yields by distillation a volatile oil, which, in composition, effects, and uses, is similar to that of nutmegs. It is chiefly used as a condiment.]
(Non-officinal.)
Myristica Malabarica, Lam. (Rheede, Hort. Mal., vol. iv. t. 5). A common forest tree of Malabar and Travancore. Yields a variety of nutmeg (Malabar Nutmeg?), larger and much longer than the officinal nutmeg, and possessing little of its fragrance or its warm aromatic taste. When bruised and subjected to boiling, it yields a considerable quantity of a yellowish concrete oil, analogous to expressed oil of nutmeg, which has been represented to the Editor as a most efficacious application to indolent and ill-conditioned ulcers, allaying pain, cleansing the surface, and establishing healthy action. For this purpose it requires to be melted down with a small quantity of any bland oil. It may be found serviceable as an embrocation in rheumatism.
LAURACEÆ.
CINNAMOMUM CAMPHORA, Nees et Ebermaier.
(CAMPHORA OFFICINARUM, Nees, Brit Pharm)
(Wight, Icones, vol. v. t. 1818.)
Habitat.--China, Japan, and Cochin China : introduced into Java.
Officinal Part.-- The concrete volatile oil (Camphora, Camphor) obtained from the wood by sublimation. It occurs in white translucent masses, of a crystalline structure ; powerful penetrating odour, and pungent taste, followed by a sensation of cold. Floats on water ; volatilizes slowly at ordinary temperatures ; is slightly soluble
