Soviet Medical Encyclopedia

Bergamot Oil

Pharmacology, Chemistry & Physics

Also known as: Oleum Bergamottae

Historical document, translated for reference. It reflects medical knowledge of the 1920s–30s and is not medical advice.

Summary

Bergamot oil (Oleum Bergamottae) is a green liquid with a pleasant scent extracted from Citrus Bergamia, utilized in microtechnique for its unique ability to transition preparations to xylene without dissolving celloidin. This 1930s encyclopedia entry details its physical properties and specific histological applications.

Encyclopedia entry (1928–1936)

BERGAMOT OIL, Oleum Bergamottae, a liquid of green color and pleasant odor extracted from Citrus Bergamia; boiling point 183°, specific gravity 0.886, nD (refractive index) = 1.464; reaction is neutral; mixes with 80° alcohol without turbidity; best kept in the dark. It is used in microtechnique because it does not dissolve celloidin and allows the transition to xylene directly from 90–96° alcohol, bypassing absolute alcohol, which is especially important in cases where the preparation is stained with dyes unstable to alcohol.

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Cite this page

“Bergamot Oil.” Soviet Medical Encyclopedia. English translation of Bolshaya Meditsinskaya Entsiklopediya, 1st ed. (Moscow, 1928–1936), ed. N. A. Semashko. https://sovietmedicalencyclopedia.pages.dev/article/bergamot-oil/