Oleum Succini. Oil of Amber.
Related entry: Oils
Other tomes: Sayre - King's
Synonym.—Oleum Succini Rectificatum.
Oil of amber is obtained from amber by destructive distillation, and is purified by redistillation. It occurs as a transparent, pale yellow, or brownish-yellow liquid, having a penetrating, disagreeable odour, and a burning, acrid taste. Specific gravity, 0.926 to 0.930; optical rotation +22° 30' to +26°. The oil is sometimes adulterated with oil of turpentine, and is not often seen in the pure state, the commercial article being frequently obtained by the destructive distillation of resins, such as copal and dammar. The specific gravity of the commercial oil is lower than that of the genuine, and so is the optical rotation.
Soluble in alcohol (1 in 4 or 5), ether, chloroform, carbon bisulphide, or fixed oils.
Action and Uses.—Oil of amber has properties resembling those of oil of turpentine, and is sometimes given internally in the treatment of asthma and whooping cough. Mixed with an equal quantity of olive oil, or as Linimentum Succini Compositum, it is used to rub the chest in bronchitis and whooping cough.
Dose.—½ to 2 decimils (0.05 to 0.2 milliliters) (1 to 3 minims).
PREPARATION.
- Linimentum Succini Compositum, B.P.C.—COMPOUND LINIMENT OF AMBER.
- Oil of amber, 1; oil of cloves, 1; olive oil, 2. A stimulating and rubefacient liniment, used to rub the chest in bronchitis and the chest ailments of children; it is also useful for sprains, rheumatism, etc.
