EUCALYPTUS GLOBULUS – AUSTRALIAN FEVER OR BLUE-GUM TREE. (Eucalyptus–ev, eu, well kaluptos, covered, concealed, the flower by the calyx. Globulus, a little ball.).
Introduction
This rapid-growing and extremely large tree (400 feet in height) was first planted in marshy districts because of its great power of absorbing water; it soon grew into favor on account of its alleged power of destroying malarial poisons.
Dr. Leao tells me that when it was first planted in Brazil then number of cases of malarial fever in the district were greatly lessened. In a few years, however, malaria was as prevalent as it had ever been. He attributes it to the fact that when the trees were young the leaves were near the ground and could sift the air as it came from the marshes. Subsequently, with the growth of trees, the leaves being removed from the ground, the air was enabled to pass under unobstructed.
Our tincture is made from the fresh leaves.
Eucalyptus has had but fragmentary provings, Dr. E. M. Hale being among the contributors. It seemingly warrants a thorough proving, as our knowledge of its symptoms is so very limited that Allen says: “It has been prescribed in fevers, intermittent, typhoid and remittent, but without marked indications.”.
Symptoms
Hering speaks of it for “Fevers of a relapsing, obstinate and prolonged character, of a miasmatic origin.”
In lieu of more definite indications, I will give in a few words the leading symptoms of a case of intermittent fever that was cured by Eucalyptus after five weeks’ effort on my part to accomplish the result with other remedies.
8.30 A.M., premonitory symptoms of yawning and stretching and a pale, watery streak under the finger-nails, which changed a blueness during the chill (121). 9.30, chilliness, which soon amounted to a severe shaking chill, with desire for extra covering and hot-water bottles.
No thirst during chill. Nauseated towards end and at end of chill vomited.
Fever with thirst. Sweat not pronounced.
I use Eucalyptus in the tincture.
