American Materia Medica, Therapeutics and Pharmacognosy

It is also indicated by a steady distress or dull grinding pain in the
abdomen, a sensation of hardness across the abdomen, with tendency to
constipation, with general inactivity of the entire glandular structure of
the gastrointestinal tract.
It increases the tone and capillary circulation of all the mucous
structures, and in the abdomen of the muscular structures of the
intestines also. Its antiseptic powers are great, destroying parasites and
germs of disease, and inhibiting putrefaction and fermentation.
In intestinal disorders of childhood it prevents the formation of lactic and
butyric acids, and the irritation caused by their presence.
Therapy—The specific indications suggest the use of turpentine in acute
and chronic bronchitis when there is an excessive discharge of mucus.
Its influence may be observed from the first.
It controls the cough, allays the excessive bronchial secretion, soothes
the irritation throughout the chest, relieves the diffused soreness and
promotes the cure. In pharyngitis and laryngitis it is of value also.
In acute inflammations within the chest its external application is of
much value, especially in pneumonitis or capillary bronchitis with
diffused soreness. Soreness and tenderness in acute fevers and
inflammations are relieved by the external use of turpentine, while quick,
sharp, acute pain is best combated by the external use of mustard and
anodyne counter-irritants.
In croup its influence is direct. In both the mucous and membranous
forms it has accomplished excellent results. It is given internally, applied
externally, and its vapors are inhaled in these cases for a short time,
careful watch being kept for evidences of its irritating influence upon the
kidneys. In some extreme cases where it has not been previously used, a
single large dose of ten or fifteen drops to a child of five years or above,
will apparently exercise a prompt influence.
In diphtheria with occlusion of the larynx, throat or nasal passages, from
the membrane, it should be dropped on the surface of hot water in a
close-mouthed vessel, and the vapor inhaled for a few minutes every two
or three hours. It may be used in this manner with excellent results with
an equal amount of the oil of eucalyptus. It may be also used in an
Ellingwood’s American Materia Medica, Therapeutics and Pharmacognosy - Page 443