A Cyclopædia of Practical Receipts, &c. Volume II (part 6)

2. (Attar of roses, Otto of r.; Oleum rosæ—Ph. E.) From the petals of Rosa centifolia and Rosa sempervirens (damask and musk rose), principally the first, by saturating the water, by returning it repeatedly on fresh flowers, and then exposing it to a low temperature. In the East Indies it is obtained by stratifying gingelly seeds in alternate layers with rose petals, for some days, and repeating the arrangement with fresh roses till the seeds are saturated, when the oil is expressed and distilled along with water. In the neighbourhood of Mecca the rose leaves are macerated in salt-and-water for 2 or 3 days, and then distilled, the water being received in separate receivers at different parts of the process. The water is afterwards exposed in porous earthenware vessels, tied over with linen, in trenches dug in the earth, and over which moistened straw is thrown, when in a short time the otto separates and floats on the surface.

Prop., &c. Colourless, or nearly so; odour intense, penetrating, and diffusive, and in a concentrated state far from pleasant, but when dilute very agreeable; taste, bland and sweetish; when pure, it congeals at 80°, and does not remelt until heated to fully 85° Fahr.; 1000 parts of alcohol of ·806 dissolve only 7 parts of otto at 57° Fahr., and only 33 parts at 72°. Sp. gr. ·832 at 90°, to water 1·000 at 60° Fahr. Prod. 100 lbs. of roses yield 2 to 3 dr.

Pur. Otto of roses is frequently adulterated with the oils of rhodium, sandal-wood, and geranium, and with camphor; and occasionally with spermaceti, to give the spurious compound the usual crystalline appearance. The following are reliable tests:—1. Pure otto has a bland, sweet taste; if it is bitter, it contains oil of rhodium or sandal-wood; if it is pungent, or ‘bites,’ the palate, it contains either oil of geranium or camphor, and probably both; if it imparts an unctuous sensation, it contains spermaceti.—2. Exposed for some hours to the fumes of a small quantity of iodide under a bell-glass in the cold, pure otto remains white, and continues so when exposed to the air; an adulterated sample, on the contrary, becomes yellow or brown, and afterwards, on exposure to the air, continues to darken in colour, until it becomes of a deep brown, or even perfectly black, according to the quantity of foreign oil present. A single drop may be thus tested.—3. (Guibourt.) One or two drops of the suspected oil are put into a watch-glass; the same number of drops of concentrated sulphuric acid are added, and the two fluids are mixed with a glass-rod. All the oils are rendered more or less brown by this proceeding; but, otto of roses retains the purity of its odour—oil of geranium acquires a strong and disagreeable odour, which is perfectly characteristic—the odour of the oil of rhodium is increased, and becomes somewhat unctuous, and, in general, it acquires an odour distinctly like that of cubebs.

Oil of Rose′mary. Syn. Rosmarini oleum (B. P.), Oleum anthos, O. rorismarini, O. rosmarini (Ph. L. E. & D.), O. rorismarini essentialæ, L. From the flowering tops of Rosmarinus officinalis. In the Ph. L. English oil of rosemary (O. rosmarini, Anglicum) is ordered, as it is superior to that from abroad. Colourless; strongly fragrant, but scarcely agreeable unless compounded; carminative and stimulant. Boils at 365° Fahr. Sp. gr. ·910; recent,·897; rectified, ·8887. Prod. ⁄4 to 1% (nearly).

Pur., &c. It is frequently adulterated with oil of turpentine. When pure it dissolves in all proportions in spirit of ·830. By age it deposits a crystalline stearoptene, and acquires a terebinthinate odour. It is chiefly used as a stimulant in liniments, hair oil, pomatums, &c.

Oil of Rose′wort. Syn. Oil of rose-root; Oleum rhodiolæ, L. From the roots of Rhodiola rosea. Yellowish; odour resembles that of oil of rhodium, for which it is often sold, as well as the distilled water for rose water. 1⁄2 lb. yields about 1 dr.

Oil of Rue. Syn. Rutæ oleum (B. P.), Oleum rutæ (Ph. L. & E.), L. The “oil distilled from the fresh herb of Ruta graveolens” (B. P.), or common rue. Pale yellow, turning brown by age, and depositing a brownish, resinous sediment; congeals at about 40° Fahr.; acrid, bitter; odour that of the plant; stimulant, antispasmodic, and emmenagogue. Sp. gr. ·909 to ·911. Prod. ⁄4 to 1%(nearly). According to Raybaud, the recent dried seeds yield fully four times as much oil as the flowering herb.

Pur. Nearly always adulterated. When pure—1. It forms a clear solution with rectified spirit.—2. It does not form a camphor with gaseous hydrochloric acid.—3. Iodine dissolves in it slowly, without any apparent reaction, beyond a darkening and a slight increase of viscidity.—4. It is unaffected by a solution of chromate of potassa.—5. Nitric acid very slowly changes it into a greenish-yellow liquid balsam.—6. If it forms a reddish-brown solution with liquor of potassa and a still darker one with oil of vitriol, or if it fulminates with iodine, it is adulterated with the oil of some labiate plant.—7. It is more soluble in both rectified spirit and water than any of the oils used to adulterate it.

Oil of Saf′fron. Syn. Oleum croci, L. From the pistils of Crocus sativus (saffron). Yellow; heavier than water; acrid, pungent, and narcotic; decomposed by exposure to light and age, with the formation of a white solid matter, which is lighter than water.

Oil of Sage. Syn. Oleum salviæ, L. From the herbaceous portion of Salvia officinalis, or common sage.

Oil of San′dal-wood. Syn. Oleum santali, O. s. albi, L. From the wood of Santalum album, or sandal-tree, and preferably from that of Malabar. It has an odour somewhat resembling that of oil of rhodium, for which it is commonly used; also used to adulterate otto of roses. Prod. 9 lbs. yield 1 oz.; 100 lbs. yield 5 oz. (Raybaud).

Oil of Sarsaparil′la. Syn. Oleum sarzæ, L. From the root bark, distilled along with salt-and-water. Acrid; odour and flavour same as the root.

Oil of Sas′safras. Syn. Volatile oil of s.; Oleum sassafras (Ph. E.), O. lauri s., O. s. officinalis, L. From bruised sassafras chips, the sliced root of Sassafras officinale, as oil of cloves. Pale yellow; highly odorous; hot, pungent, rubefacient, and stimulant; reputed alterative, sudorific, and diuretic, and, as such, occasionally given in rheumatism, cutaneous affections, &c. Sp. gr. 1·094 to 1·096. Prod. 1⁄2 to 2% (fully).

Pur., &c.—1. If the density is lower than 1·094, it is adulterated.—2. Nitric acid acts on this oil, at first slowly, merely turning it of an orange-red, but afterwards with violence, and a reddish-brown resin is formed.—3. Mixed with about one half its weight of sulphuric acid, a green colour is at first developed, which, by heat, is changed to a blood red. A large quantity of sulphuric acid acts at once violently, white fumes are given off, and mere charcoal is left.—4. With iodine it forms a permanently clear solution, or at least one that remains so for some time.—5. By agitation with water, it separates into two oils—one lighter, the other heavier, than that fluid.

Oil of Sav′ine. Syn. Oleum Sabinæ (B. P.), Oleum juniperi sabinæ, O. sabinæ (Ph. E. & D.), L. From the fresh tops or leaves of Juniperus sabina, or common savin. Pale yellow; limpid; acrid, pungent, and stimulant. It possesses the general properties of the plant in a highly exalted degree. Sp. gr. ·915. Prod. Fresh herb, 1·25% to 1·5%; dried do. (recent), 2⁄2% to 3%. Dose, 2 to 6 drops; as an anthelmintic, diaphoretic, and emmenagogue. Its use must be carefully avoided during pregnancy or disease of the abdominal viscera.

Pur., &c. It is less frequently adulterated than the other volatile oils. Its high sp. gr. and free solubility in rectified spirit offer the means of detecting the presence of either oil of turpentine or alcohol, the substances occasionally added to it. A mixture of equal parts of oil of savin and oil of vitriol, by distillation from milk of lime, furnishes an oil apparently identical with oil of thyme. (Winckler.)

Oil of Sen′na. Syn. Oleum sennæ volatile, L. Possesses the nauseous odour and flavour of the leaves, and, as well as the distilled water, is purgative.

Oil of Spear′mint. Syn. English oil of spearmint (B. P.), Oil of mint, Oil of green m.; Menthæ viridis oleum (B. P.); Oleum menthæ viridis (Ph. L., E., & D.), O. m. sativæ, O. essentiale menthæ s., L. From the fresh flowering herb of Mentha viridis (Linn.) or garden spearmint. Pale yellow; reddened by age; odour and general properties resemble those of oil of peppermint, but it is less grateful. It boils at 320° Fahr. Sp. gr. ·915 (·9394, Brande). Prod. ·2% to ·25%. Its common adulterants are alcohol and oil of turpentine.

Oil of Spike (True). Syn. Foreign oil of lavender; Oleum spicæ, O. s. verum, O. stæchadis, O. lavandulæ s., L.: Huile d’aspic, Fr. Chiefly from Lavandula spica and L. stæchas, or French and Alpine lavenders. It differs from English oil of lavender by its darker green colour and inferior odour. From France. Used by artists to mix their colours in, and to make varnishes. Oil of turpentine scented with lavender is commonly sold for it. Prod. From L. spica (fresh), ⁄4 to 1⁄2%; L. stæchas (dried), ⁄4 to 1% (fully).

Oil of Spike′nard. Syn. Oleum nardi, L. The precious oil mentioned under this name in Scripture is supposed to have been derived from Andropogon Iwaracusa. The commercial oil of geranium (see above) is also called by this name.

Oil of Spring Grass. Syn. Oleum anthoxanthi odorati, L. From Anthoxanthum odoratum, or sweet-scented vernal grass. It is this oil that gives the very agreeable odour to new hay.

Oil of Star-an′ise. Syn. Badian oil; Oleum Badiani, O. anisi stellati, L. From the capsules of Illicium anisatum, or star-anise. It continues liquid at 35⁄2° Fahr. This, and its weaker reaction with iodine, distinguish it from the preceding compound, which it is commonly used to adulterate. Prod. 2% (fully).

Oil of Sweet Fen′nel. See Oil of Fennel.

Oil of Sweet Flag. Syn. Oleum acori, O. a. aromatica, L. From the rhizomes or roots of Acorus calamus (Linn.), or sweet flag. Yellow; agreeably fragrant. Used to scent snuff, aromatic vinegar, &c. Prod. Fresh rhizomes, ⁄4 to 1%; dried (recent), 1 to 1·25%.

Oil of Tan′sy. Syn. Oleum tanaceti, L. From the flowering herb of Tanacetum vulgare (Linn.), or tansy. Pale greenish yellow; very odorous; bitter; aromatic. Sp. gr. ·946 to ·950. Prod. Fresh, ·25% to ·5%; dried (recent), ⁄4 to 1%(fully).

Oil of Thyme. Syn. Oleum thymi; Oil of origanum; Oleum origani (of the shops). From the flowering herb of Thymus vulgaris (Linn.), or garden thyme. Nearly colourless; the imparted oil has a reddish colour, which it loses by rectification; very fragrant; acrid; hot tasted, stimulant, and rubefacient; boils at 354° Fahr. Sp. gr. ·867 to ·875. Prod. ·5% to ·75%.

Obs. This is the dark-coloured ‘OIL OF ORIGANUM’ of the shops. It is frequently adulterated with oil of turpentine. It is occasionally used in toothache and in stimulating liniments; but its chief consumption is in perfumery, more particularly for hair oils, pomatums, and hair-washes, as it is reputed to make the hair grow and to prevent baldness.

Oil of Tobac′co (Volatile). From the leaves of Nicotiana tabacum (Linn.), or the tobacco plant. Concrete.

Oil of Turpentine. Syn. Spirit of t., Essence of t., Turps, Camphene, Camphine; Terebinthinæ oleum (B. P.), Spiritus terebinthinæ, Essentia t., Oleum terebinthinæ (Ph. L. & D.), O. t. purificatum (Ph. E.), L. The oil of turpentine of commerce is obtained by distilling strained American turpentine along with water. The residuum in the still is ‘resin’ or ‘rosin.’ The product in oil varies from 14% to 16%. The colleges order it to be rectified before being employed for medicinal purposes. This is effected by redistilling it along with 3 or 4 times its volume of water, observing not to draw over quite the whole. The portion remaining in the retort (balsam of turpentine) is viscid and resinous. A better plan is to well agitate it with an equal measure of solution of potassa or milk of lime before rectifying it. This is the plan adopted for the camphine used for lamps. By agitating crude oil of turpentine with about 5% of sulphuric acid, diluted with twice its weight of water, and after repose and decantation rectifying it from 5 or 6 times its volume of the strongest lime water, a very pure and nearly scentless oil may be obtained. Dr Nimmo recommends oil of turpentine to be purified by agitation with ⁄8th part of rectified spirit, after repose to decant the spirit, and to repeat the process 3 or 4 times. The product retains, however, fully ⁄5th part of spirit in solution, and hence this method is objectionable, except for medicinal purposes, for which, according to Dr Garrod, it is better than the oil purified by rectification. The sweet spirits of turpentine (SPIRITUS TEREBINTHINÆ DULCIS), vended of late years in the shops, is simply the common oil which has been agitated with, and rectified from, somewhat dilute sulphuric acid.

Prop. Pure oil of turpentine is colourless; limpid; very mobile; neutral to test-paper; has an odour neither powerful nor disagreeable when recently prepared, but becoming so by exposure to the air; dissolves ⁄5th part of alcohol of ·830; is soluble in 6 parts of ether and in 7⁄2 parts of rectified spirit; hot strong alcohol dissolves it freely, but the greater part separates in globules as the liquid cools. Oil of vitriol chars it, and strong nitric acid attacks it violently, even with flame. It congeals at 14°, and boils at 312° Fahr. Sp. gr. ·867; that of the oil of the shops varies from ·872 to ·878. It possesses a very high refractive power. At 72° it absorbs 163 times its volume of hydrochloric-acid gas (if kept cool), and in 24 hours from 26% to 47% of crystals (Kind’s camphor) separate. These have a camphoraceous odour, and, after being washed with water, and sublimed along with some dry chalk, lime, or charcoal, assume the form of a white, translucent, flexible, crystalline mass, which is volatile, soluble in alcohol, and possesses a considerable resemblance to camphor. A nearly similar substance is produced by the action of oxygen gas on oil of turpentine.

Uses, &c. Oil of turpentine is extensively used in the manufacture of varnishes and paints. Under the name of ‘camphine’ it is occasionally employed for burning in lamps. For the last purpose it must be newly rectified and preserved from the air. By exposure it rapidly absorbs oxygen, resin is formed, its density increases, and it gives a dull fuliginous flame. In medicine it is employed as a diaphoretic, stimulant, vermifuge, &c.—Dose, 6 to 30 or 40 drops; in rheumatism, hemicrania, &c., 1 fl. dr. every four hours, in combination with bark or capsicum; in tapeworm, 3 fl. dr. to 1 fl. oz., either alone or combined with a little syrup of orange peel, every 8 hours, until the worm is expelled. The common symptoms of large doses of this oil are dizziness and a species of temporary intoxication, and occasionally nausea and sickness, which subside after two or three alvine evacuations, leaving no other effect, when the oil is pure, than a certain degree of languor for a few hours. In tapeworm a little castor-oil may be advantageously combined with the second and subsequent doses. Oil of turpentine imparts a violent odour to the urine. To prevent loss by evaporation and resinification, this oil should be kept in tin cans or glass bottles. For store vessels, closely covered tin cisterns are the best. To prevent accidents it is proper to caution the operator of the extremely penetrating and inflammable nature of the vapour of this oil, even in the cold. During the process of its distillation, without the greatest precautions are taken, an explosion is almost inevitable.

Oil of Vale′′rian. Syn. Oleum valerianæ (Ph. Bor.), L. From the root of Valeriana officinalis (Linn.), or wild valerian. Yellowish; viscid; lighter than water; smells strongly of the plant. By exposure to the air it is partly converted into valerianic acid, and more readily so under the influence of an alkali. In its usual form it consists of valerol, a neutral oily body; borneene, a volatile liquid hydrocarbon; and valerianic acid. It is powerfully antispasmodic, emmenagogue, tonic, and stimulant, and, in large doses, narcotic.—Dose, 2 to 6 drops; in epilepsy, hysteria, hemicrania, hypochondriasis, low fevers, &c. Prod. 1⁄4% to 2% (nearly).

Oil of Ver′bena. Syn. Oleum verbenæ, L. From the fresh flowering herb of Verbena odorata. Prod. 2% to 5%. The ‘OIL OF VERBENA’ of the shops is imported from India, and is obtained from Andropogon citratum. See Oil of Lemon grass.

Oil of Wine. Syn. Heavy oil of wine, Ethereal oil, Oily ethereal liquor, Sulphate of ether and etherole; Oleum æthereum (Ph. L.), Oleum vini, Liquor æthereus oleosus, L. This is an artificial production which, for convenience, may be included under this head.

1. (Ph. L.) Rectified spirit, 2 pints, and sulphuric acid, 36 fl. oz., are cautiously mixed together in a glass retort, and submitted to distillation until a black froth appears, when the retort is immediately removed from the fire (sand heat); the lighter, supernatant, liquor is next separated from the fluid in the receiver, and exposed to the air for 24 hours; it is then agitated with a mixture of solution of potassa and water, of each 1 fl. oz., or q. s., and, when, sufficiently washed, is, lastly, separated from the aqueous liquid from which it has subsided. The formula of the Ph. L. 1836 is nearly similar.

2. (Ph. D.) Rectified spirit and oil of vitriol (commercial), of each 1⁄2 pint; as the last, employing a Liebig’s condenser, and a capsule for the exposure to the air; the oil is then transferred to a moistened paper filter, and washed with a little cold water, to remove any adhering acid.

3. (Ph. D. 1826.) From the residuum in the retort after the process of preparing ether, distilled to one half, by a moderate heat, and the oil treated as before.

4. From rectified spirit (sp. gr. ·833), 2 parts; oil of vitriol, 5 parts; mix and distil, as before; wash the product with distilled water, and free it from adhering water and undecomposed alcohol by exposure in the vacuum of an air-pump, between two open capsules, the one containing fragments of solid potassa, and the other concentrated sulphuric acid. Pure.

5. By distilling a mixture of ether and oil of vitriol, and treating the product as before.

6. By the destructive distillation of dry sulphovinate of calcium; the product is freed from alcohol, &c., by washing it. This process yields the largest product.

Prop., &c. An oily liquid, nearly colourless, neutral, with an aromatic taste, and an odour resembling that of oil of peppermint. It is insoluble in water, but freely soluble in both alcohol and ether; boiling water converts it into sulphovinic acid, and a volatile liquid called light or sweet oil of wine; with an alkaline solution, this effect is produced with even greater facility. Sp. gr. 1·05 (Hennel & Ph. L.); 1·13 (Serullas). Boils at 540° Fahr. “Dropped into water, it sinks, the form of the globule being preserved.” (Ph. L.) Prod. 1·25 to 1·5%; 33 lbs. of rectified spirit, and 64 lbs. of oil of vitriol, yield 17 oz. of this oil (Hennel).

Uses. Oil of wine is reputed anodyne, but is only used in the preparation of other compounds. See Spirit of Ether (Compound), &c.

Oil of Wine (Light). Syn. Sweet oil of Wine. See Etherin, Etherole, and above.

Oil, Wood (of India). From the Chloroxylon Swietenia (De Cand.), the tree which yields the satin-wood of the cabinet-makers. Another wood oil (Gūrjun balsam) is obtained by incision from various species of Dipterocarpus. This balsam yields about 38% of a volatile oil by distillation, which in its general properties closely resembles OIL OF COPAIBA. (O’Shaughnessey.)

Oil of Worm′seed. Syn. Oleum chenopodii (Ph. U. S.), L. From the seeds of Chenopodium anthelminticum, or Jerusalem oak (American wormseed). Light yellow, or greenish; powerfully anthelmintic. Sp. gr. ·908.—Dose. For an adult, 25 to 30 drops, in sugar, honey, or milk, night and morning, for 3 or 4 days, followed by a good dose of castor oil, or some other suitable purgative.

Oil of Worm′wood. Syn. Oleum absinthii, L. From the herbaceous portion of Artemisia absinthium, or common wormwood; green or brownish-green; odorous; acrid; bitter; stomachic. Sp. gr. ·9703 (Brisson); ·9720 (Pereira); ·9725 (Brande). Prod. Fresh herb (picked), ⁄4 to ⁄3%, dry herb (a year old), ⁄2% (fully); do. (recent), ⁄4 to 1% (fully).

Pur. That of the shops is nearly always either adulterated or partly spoiled by age; hence the discrepancies in the densities given for this oil by different authorities. A specimen of this oil distilled by Mr Cooley from the green plant had the sp. gr. ·9712; but after being kept for 12 months, it had increased to ·9718. Nitric acid of 1·25 colours the pure oil first green, then blue, and, lastly, brown. The positive character of these reactions is in direct proportion to the purity and freshness of the sample.

OILY EMUL′SION. See Linctus (Emollient).

OILY ETHE′′REAL LIQ′UOR. See Oil of Wine (above).

OINT′MENT. Syn. Unguentum, L. Any soft, fatty substance applied to the skin by inunction. The term is now commonly restricted to those which are employed in medicine.

Ointments (unguenta) differ from ‘cerates’ chiefly in their consistence, and in wax not being a constant or essential constituent; and they are made and used in a nearly similar manner to that class of preparations. Their proper degree of solidity is that of good butter, at the ordinary temperature of the atmosphere. When the active ingredients are pulverulent substances, nothing can be more suitable to form the body of the ointment than good fresh lard, free from salt; but when they are fluid or semi-fluid, prepared suet, or a mixture of suet and lard, will be necessary to give a due consistence to the compound. In some instances wax is ordered for this purpose. Another excellent ‘vehicle’ for the more active ingredients is a simple ointment, formed by melting together 1 part of pure white wax with about 4 parts of olive oil. The use of the last excludes the possibility of the irritation sometimes occasioned by the accession of rancidity, when inferior lard is employed. In a few cases butter is employed to form the body of the ointment.

Some ointments are made from recent vegetable substances by infusion or coction, in the manner adopted for medicated oils. See Oils, Medicated.

The precautions to be used in the choice of lard are noticed in the article devoted to this substance. Lard is included in the Materia Medica of the London College. In the last Ph. D. lard for medicinal use (ADEPS SUILLUS PRÆPARATUS—Ph. D.) is ordered to be prepared by melting it in twice its weight of boiling water, stirring it constantly for some time, then setting the mixture aside to cool; and, lastly, separating the fat when it has solidified.

Ointments are best preserved by keeping them in salt-glazed earthen or stoneware jars, covered with tin foil, in a cool situation.

The accession of rancidity in ointments and other unctuous preparations may be greatly retarded, if not wholly prevented, by previously dissolving in the fat about 2% of gum-benzoin, in fine powder, or rather less quantity of benzoic acid by the aid of heat. This addition renders the ointment peculiarly soothing to irritable or highly sensitive skins. Poplar buds act in a similar manner.

⁂ The formulæ for all the more useful and generally employed ointments are given below. Those not included in the list may be prepared of the proper strength for all ordinary purposes, by combining about 12 to 15 times the medium dose of the particular medicinal with 1 oz. of lard or simple ointment. For substances which possess little activity, ⁄2 to 1 dr. per oz., or even more, may be taken. See Cerate, Fat, &c.

Ointment of Ac′etate of Lead. Syn. Unguentum plumbi acetatis (B. P., Ph. E. & D.), L. Prep. 1. (Ph. E.) Acetate of lead, in fine powder, 1 oz.; simple ointment, 20 oz.; mix them thoroughly (by trituration).

2. (Ph. D.) Ointment of white wax, 1 lb.; melt by a gentle heat, then add, gradually, of acetate of lead, in very fine powder, 1 oz., and stir the mixture until it concretes.

3. (B. P.) Acetate of lead, in fine powder, 12 gr.; benzoated lard, 1 oz.; mix.

Obs. A useful, cooling, astringent, and desiccative ointment. For the formula of Ph. L., see Cerate.

Ointment, Ace′tic. See Ointment, Vinegar.

Ointment of Ac′onite. Syn. Unguentum aconiti, L. Prep. 1. (Dr Turnbull.) Alcoholic extract of aconite, 1 part; lard, 2 parts; carefully triturated together. In neuralgia, &c.

2. (Ammoniated; Unguentum aconiti ammoniatum—Turnbull.) Ammoniated extract of aconite, 1 part; lard, 3 parts. In neuralgia, paralysis, old rheumatic affections, &c. The use of the above preparations of aconite requires the greatest caution. They are intended as substitutes for OINTMENT OF ACONITINE, a still more dangerous preparation.

Ointment of Acon′itine. Syn. Unguentum aconitinæ, L. Prep. 1. (Dr Garrod.) Pure aconitine, 1 gr.; lard, 1 dr.; mix by careful trituration.

2. (Dr Turnbull.) Aconitine, 2 gr.; rectified spirit, 6 or 7 drops; triturate together, then add of lard, 1 dr., and mix well.

3. (B. P.) Aconitia (aconitine), 8 gr.; rectified spirit, ⁄2 dr.; dissolve and add lard, 1 oz.; mix.

Use, &c. As a topical benumber in neuralgic affections, rheumatic pains, &c. Its application generally occasions considerable tingling, and sometimes redness of the part to which it is applied, followed by temporary loss of sensation in the skin and the cessation of the pain. For slight cases Dr Paris formerly employed only 1 gr. to the oz. Owing to the intensely poisonous nature of aconitine, this ointment must be both prepared and used with great caution, and must never be applied to an abraded surface. It is seldom employed, owing to its extreme costliness. See Aconitia, and above.

Ointment, Ague. See Ointment, Antiperiodic.

Ointment, Albinolo’s. See Patent medicines.

Ointment, Alkaline. Syn. Unguentum alkalinum, L. Prep. 1. (Biett.) Carbonate of soda, 2 dr.; fresh-slaked lime, 1 dr.; powdered opium, 2 gr.; lard, 2 oz.; mix by trituration. In prurigo, ringworm, and some other cutaneous affections.

2. (Cazenave.) Carbonate of potassa, 1 dr.; lard, 1 oz. In psoriasis, lepra, and scorbutic eruptions.

3. (Devergie.)—a. From carbonate (not sesquicarbonate) of soda, 10 to 15 gr.; lard, 1 oz. In lichen.

b. From carbonate of soda, 20 to 30 gr.; lard, 1 oz. In ichthyosis, lepra, psoriasis, and some other scaly skin diseases.

c. From carbonate of soda, ⁄2 to 1 dr.; lard, 1 oz. In porrigo favosa, especially when occurring in adults.

4. (Soubeiran.) Carbonate of soda, 1 to 2 dr.; wine of opium, 1 fl. dr.; lard, 1 oz. In any of the above affections, when there is much pain or irritation.

Obs. Carbonate of potassa is thought to be preferable to carbonate of soda, when the above affections occur in scorbutic habits. A little camphor is also occasionally added.

Ointment of Aloes. See Ointment for Worms.

Ointment of Aloes, Compound. See Ointment for Worms.

Ointment of Al′um. Syn. Unguentum aluminis, L. Prep. 1. Alum, in very fine powder, 1 dr.; lard, 1⁄2 oz. In piles.

2. To the last add of powdered opium, 7 gr. In piles, when there is much pain. See Ointment, Banyer’s.

Ointment, Ammoni′acal. Syn. Unguentum ammoniacale, U. ammoniæ, L.; Liparole d’ammoniaque, Pommade de Gondret, Fr. Prep. 1. (P. Cod.) Suet and lard, of each 1 oz.; melt in a strong wide-mouthed bottle, add of liquor of ammonia (sp. gr. ·923), 2 oz., at once close the bottle, and agitate it until its contents concrete. As little heat as possible should be employed, to prevent unnecessary loss of ammonia.

2. (Gondret.) Lard, 3 parts; suet, 2 parts; almond oil, 1 part; strong solution of ammonia, 6 parts; mix, as before. Rubefacient, vesicant, and counter-irritant. Smeared over the skin and covered so as to prevent evaporation, it raises a blister in 5 or 6 minutes. Its general effects and uses are similar to those of compound liniment of ammonia.

Ointment of Car′bonate of Ammo′′nia. Syn. Unguentum ammoniæ carbonatis, U. a. sesquicarbonatis, L. Prep. From carbonate of ammonia, 1 dr.; lard, 9 dr. An excellent application to painful joints, indolent tumours, scrofulous sores, &c.

Ointment of Ammo′niated Mercury. Syn. Unguentum hydrargyri ammoniati (B. P.). Ammoniated mercury, 62 gr.; simple ointment, 1 oz.; mix. See next preparation.

Ointment of Ammo′′nio-chloride of Mercury. Syn. White precipitate ointment; Unguentum hydrargyri ammonio-chloridi (Ph. L.), U. h. precipitati albi, U. precip. A. (Ph. E.), U. h submuriatis ammoniati (Ph. D. 1826), L. Prep. 1. (Ph. L.) Ammonio-chloride of mercury, 2 dr.; lard, 3 oz.; triturate together.

2. (Ph. E.) As the last, but employing heat.

Uses, &c. Alterative; detergent; stimulant. In itch, scald-head, and various other skin diseases; in inflammation of the eyes; as an application to scrofulous and cancerous tumours; to destroy vermin on the body, &c. It “may be safely used” (in small quantities) “on infants.” (A. T. Thomson.)

Ointment, An′′glo-Saxon. Prep. Heat olive oil, 1 pint, and beeswax, ⁄4 lb., until the mixture acquires a reddish-brown colour; then add red lead (levigated), ⁄4 lb., and continue the heat, with constant stirring; when the union appears complete, add of amber and burnt alum, of each, in fine powder, ⁄2 oz.; lastly, when considerably cooled, add of powdered camphor, 3 dr. As a dressing to foul ulcers.

Ointment, An′odyne. See Ointment of Opium, Hemlock, &c.

Ointment of An′thracoka′li. Syn. Pomade de anthracokali, Fr. Prep. (Dr Polya.) Anthracokali, in very fine powder, 1 part; lard, 30 parts. See Anthracokali.

Ointment, Antiherpet′ic. Syn. Unguentum antiherpeticum, L. Prep. 1. (Alibert.) Red sulphide of mercury, 3 dr.; powdered camphor, 1 dr.; lard, 3 oz.

2. (Chevallier.) ‘Subsulphate of mercury’ (Turpeth mineral), 2 dr.; chloride of lime, 3 dr.; almond oil, 6 dr.; lard, 2 oz. In herpes or tetters.

Ointment, Antimo′nial. See Ointment Of Potassio tartrate of antimony.

Ointment, Antiperiod′ic. Syn. Ague Ointment; Unguentum antiperiodicum, U. febrifugum, L. Prep. 1. Disulphate of quinine, 1⁄2 dr.; saccharine carbonate of iron, 1 dr.; oil of cajeput, 30 drops; fresh butter, 1 oz.

2. (Antonini.) Sulphate of quinine, 1 oz.; rectified spirit and sulphuric acid, of each q. s.; lard, 1 oz.

Uses, &c. About ⁄4 oz. of either of the above to be rubbed on the vertebral regions once every 2 or 3 hours for 3 or 4 days, in intermittent fevers, more especially in those accompanied by vomiting; or, into the epigastrium, in cholera, diarrhœa, or dysentery.

Ointment of Araroba. See Araroba.

Ointment, Aromat′ic. Syn. Balsamum stomachale Wackeri, Unguentum aromaticum, L. Prep. (Ph. Austr. 1836.) Simple ointment, 2⁄2 lbs.; yellow wax and oil of laurel, of each 3 oz.; melt together, and, when considerably cooled, add of oils of juniper, mint, lavender, and rosemary, of each 2 dr. Anodyne, balsamic, and stimulant.

Ointment, Arsen′ical. Syn. Ointment Of white arsenic; Unguentum arsenicale, U. arsenici, U. acidi arseniosi, L. Prep. 1. Arsenious acid (levigated), 3 gr.; lard or simple ointment, 1 oz. In lepra, psoriasis, malignant whitlows, &c.

2. (Hosp. F.) Levigated white arsenic, 15 to 20 gr.; lard, 1 oz. As a dressing for cancerous sores.

2. (Soubeiran.) White arsenic, 1 dr.; lard, and spermaceti ointment, of each 6 dr. In malignant cancer. The above must be carefully prepared, and used with great caution. See Cerate.

Ointment of Arse′′niate of I′ron. Syn. Unguentum ferri arseniatis, L. Prep. 1. (Carmichael.) Arseniate of iron, ⁄2 dr.; phosphate of iron, 2 dr.; spermaceti ointment, 6 dr.

2. (Dr Pereira.) Arseniate of iron, ⁄2 dr.; lard, 1⁄2 oz. In cancer.

Ointment of Arseniate of Soda. Syn. Unguentum sodæ arseniatis. Prep. Arseniate of soda, 1 dr.; lard, 2 oz. Mix.

Ointment, Astrin′gent. Syn. Unguentum astringens, L. Prep. Triturate powdered catechu, 1⁄2 dr., with boiling water, 2 fl. dr., add, gradually, of spermaceti ointment (melted), 1⁄4 oz., and continue the trituration until the mass concretes. An excellent dressing for ill-disposed sores and ulcers, especially during hot weather. See the several Lead ointments, Ointment of Galls, &c.

Ointment of Atro′′pia. Syn. Unguentum atropiæ (B. P.), L. Prep. 1. Atropia, 1⁄2 gr; simple ointment, 1 dr.; mix by careful trituration.

2. (Dr Brookes.) Atropia, 5 gr.; lard, 3 dr.; otto of roses, 1 drop. In neuralgia, rheumatic pains, &c., when the affection is not deeply seated.

3. (B. P.) Atropia, 8 gr.; rectified spirit, ⁄2 dr.; lard, 1 oz.; dissolve the atropia in the spirit and mix with the lard.

Ointment, Bailey’s. See Ointment, Itch.

Ointment of Bal′sam of Peru. Syn. Unguentum balsami Peruviani, L. Prep. 1. Lard or spermaceti ointment, 1 oz.; balsam of Peru, 1 dr.; melt together by the heat of boiling water, stir for 5 or 6 minutes, allow it to settle, and pour off the clear portion. In chaps and abrasions.

2. (Compound; Ung. b. p. compositum—Copland.) Lard, 1 oz.; white wax, ⁄4 oz.; balsam of Peru, 1 dr,; melt as before, and when nearly cold, add of oil of lavender, 10 or 12 drops. As the last, and to restore the hair.

Ointment, Banyer’s. Syn. Compound alum ointment; Unguentum aluminis compositum, U. calomelanos, U. Banyeri, L. Prep. From burnt alum and calomel, of each 1⁄2 oz.; carbonate of lead, or litharge (levigated), 2 oz.; Venice turpentine, ⁄2 lb.; lard, 2 lbs.; carefully triturated together. In milk-scald, porrigo, &c.

Ointment of Bark. See Ointment of Cinchona.

Ointment, Basil′icon. Syn. Basilicon, Yellow b.; Unguentum basilicum; U. b. flavum, L. Prep. (Ph. L. 1746.) Olive oil, 16 fl. oz.; yellow wax, yellow resin, and Burgundy pitch, of each 1 lb.; melt, remove the vessel from the fire, and stir in of common turpentine, 3 oz. This form is still occasionally employed in some shops, but is generally superseded by the resin cerate and resin ointment of the Pharmacopœias. A nearly similar preparation under the name of ‘basilicon ointment,’ is contained in the Ph. Bor. 1847. (See below.)

Ointment, Basilicon (Black). See Ointment of Pitch.

Ointment, Basilicon (Green). Syn. Unguentum basilicum viride, L. Prep. (Ph. L. 1746). Prepared verdigris, 1 oz.; yellow basilicon, 8 oz.; olive oil, 3 fl. oz. Detergent. Used to keep down fungous growths, to dress syphilitic ulcers, &c. See Cerate and Ointment of Verdigris.

Ointment, Bateman’s. See Ointment, Itch.

Ointment of Bay-leaves. See Ointment, Laurel.

Ointment of Belladon′na. Syn. Unguentum belladonnæ (B. P., Ph. L.). Prep. 1. (Ph. L.) Extract of belladonna (deadly nightshade), 1 dr.; lard, 1 oz.; mix by trituration.

2. (Soubeiran.) Fresh belladonna leaves (bruised), 1 part; lard, 2 parts; simmer together until the leaves become crisp, and, after digestion, for a short time longer, drain with pressure.

3. (B. P.) Extract of belladonna, 1; rubbed with a few drops of water and mix with lard, 5⁄2.

Uses, &c. As a local anodyne, in painful and indolent tumours, nervous irritations, &c. Also as an application to the neck of the uterus in cases of rigidity. (Chaussier.)

4. Compound; Unguentum belladonnæ compositum, L.—a. (W. Cooley.) Compound iodine ointment, 7 dr.; extract of belladonna, 1 dr. Powerfully discutient. A most excellent application to all glandular tumours and indurations, buboes, &c., which it is desirable to disperse instead of mature, more especially where there is much pain. It is particularly suitable to cases occurring on shipboard, and when its application (at least twice a day) is accompanied with the internal use of the mixture of iodine and gold (See Antiscrofulous mixture), this treatment has seldom failed, even when the parties were dieted chiefly on salt food.

b. (Debreyne.) Extract of belladonna and lard, of each 3 dr.; powdered opium, ⁄2 dr. As an external anodyne and benumber, more especially in neuralgia, painful cancerous tumours, &c. A small piece is to be applied to the part, and the friction continued for 6 or 8 minutes. The above preparations are useless unless the extract employed is recent, and of good quality.

Ointment of Benzoin. (Ph. U. S.) Syn. Ointment of benzoin. Prep. Tincture of benzoin, 2 oz.; lard, 16 oz.; melt the lard over a water bath and add the tincture, stirring constantly, and when the spirit has evaporated, remove from the water bath, and stir whilst cooling.

Ointment of Bismuth. Syn. Unguentum bismuthi, L. Prep. 1. Nitrate of bismuth (‘white bismuth’), 1 dr.; simple ointment, 1 oz.

2. (Fuller.) Nitrate of bismuth, 1 dr.; spermaceti ointment, 19 dr. In itch, and some chronic cutaneous diseases.

Ointment, Blist′ering. See Ointment of Cantharides, and Vesicants.

Ointment, Blue. This is the vulgar name in England of mercurial ointment. On the Continent, an ointment made of smalts and Goulard water is commonly so called.

Ointment of Bo′′rax. Syn. Unguentum boracis, L. Prep. From borax (in very fine powder), 1 dr.; simple ointment or lard, 7 dr. In excoriations, chaps, &c.

Ointment of Bromide of Potas′sium. Syn. Unguentum potassii bromidi, U. potassæ hydrobromatis, L. Prep. (Magendie.) Bromide of potassium, ⁄2 dr.; lard, 1 oz. Resolvent; in bronchocele, scrofula, &c.

Ointment of Bro′mine. Syn. Unguentum brominii, U. b. compositum, L. Prep. (Magendie.) Bromide of potassium, 20 gr.; bromine, 6 to 12 drops; lard, 1 oz. As the last, but more active.

Ointment, Brown. Syn. French Poor-man’s friend; Unguentum fuscum, U. Hydrargyri, F., L. Prep. (P. Cod.) Nitric oxide of mercury (levigated), ⁄2 dr.; resin ointment, 1 oz. In ophthalmia (cautiously), after the inflammatory stage is over; as an application to sore legs, &c.

Ointment of Cad′mium. Syn. Unguentum cadmii, U. c. sulphatis, L. Prep. (Radius.) Sulphate of cadmium, 1 to 2 gr.; pure lard, 1 dr.; carefully triturated together. In specks on the cornea.

Ointment of Cadmium, Iodide of. (B. Ph.) Syn. Unguentum cadmii iodidi. Prep. Mix thoroughly iodide of cadmium in fine powder, 62 gr., with simple ointment, 1 oz.

Ointment of Caffeine. Syn. Unguentum caffeinæ. Prep. Citrate of caffeine, 8 gr.; lard, 10 oz. Mix.

Ointment of Cala′mine. Syn. Unguentum calaminæ, U. lapis calaminaris, U. zinci carbonatis impuri, L. Prep. (Ph. D. 1826.) Prepared calamine, 1 lb.; ointment of yellow wax, 5 lbs. Desiccative and healing. This is the old Dublin form for Turner’s cerate.

Ointment of Cal′omel. Syn. Unguentum hydrargyri subchloridi (B. P.), Unguentum calomelanos, U. hydrargyri chloridi, L. Prep. 1. From calomel, 1 dr.; lard, or simple ointment, 1 oz.

Obs. “Were I required to name a local agent pre-eminently useful in skin diseases generally, I should fix on this. It is well deserving a place in the Pharmacopœia.” (Pereira.) Dr Underwood uses elder-flower ointment as the vehicle.

2. (Compound; Unguentum calomelanos compositum—Dr A. T. Thomson.) Calomel, 1 dr.; tar ointment, 4 dr.; spermaceti ointment, 1 oz.

3. (B. P.) Calomel, 1; prepared lard, 5⁄2; mix. In lepra.

Ointment of Cam′phor. Syn. Unguentum camphoræ, L. Prep. 1. Camphor, 1 to 2 dr.; lard, 1 oz.; dissolve by a gentle heat and stir until the mass is nearly cold. Stimulant and anodyne; in prurigo, psoriasis, &c.

2. (Compound.) From powdered opium, ⁄2 dr.; powdered camphor, 1⁄2 dr.; lard, 1⁄4 oz.; mix by trituration. As an anodyne friction in rheumatic pains, swelled joints, colic, &c.

Ointment of Canthar′ides. Syn. Unguentum cantharidis (B. P., Ph. L., D., & U. S.), U. lyttæ, L. Prep. 1. (Ph. L.) Cantharides (in very fine powder), 3 oz.; distilled water, 12 fl. oz.; mix, boil to one half, to the strained liquid add of resin cerate, 1 lb., and evaporate to a proper consistence.

2. (Ph. D.) Liniment of Spanish flies, 8 fl. oz.; white wax, 3 oz.; spermaceti, 1 oz.; melt together with a gentle heat, and stir until it concretes.

3. (Ph. E.)—a. Unguentum infusui cantharidis—Ph. E. Powdered Cantharides 1 oz.; boiling water, ⁄4 pint; infuse one night (12 hours), strain with expression, add of lard 2 oz., and boil until the water is expelled; then add beeswax and resin, of each 1 oz., and when these are liquefied, remove the vessel from the fire, and further add of Venice turpentine, 2 oz.

b. (Unguentum pulveris cantharidis—Ph. E.) Resin ointment, 7 oz.; melt, add of cantharides (in fine powder), 1 oz., and stir until the whole is nearly cold.

4. (B. P.) Cantharides, in fine powder, 1; olive oil, 6; yellow wax, 1; digest the cantharides in the oil for 12 hours, and for ⁄4 hour at 212°; strain, add the melted wax, and stir till cold.

Obs. The above preparations are frequently called ‘blister ointment’ or ‘epispastic ointment.’ They are used to keep blisters open after they have been produced by stronger compounds. The first three compounds are regarded as milder than the last (3, b), which contains the flies in substance. The P. Cod. contains an ointment (UNG. EPISPASTICUM FLAVUM) which is weaker than the above, prepared by digesting the bruised flies in lard, for 3 hours, over a warm bath; about ⁄6th part of wax is next added to the strained fat, which is then coloured with turmeric, and scented with oil of lemon. See Cerate, Pommade, Vesicants, and below.

Ointment of Cantharides, Extract of. (M. Cap.) Syn. Unguentum cum extracto cantharidis. Prep. Alcoholic extract of cantharides, 8 gr.; oil of roses, 1 dr.; beef marrow, 2 oz.; oil of lemon, 40 minims. To promote the growth of the hair.

Ointment of Cantharides with Mercury. Syn. Unguentum cantharidis cum hydrargyro. Prep. Lard, 65 parts; Spanish flies, 29 parts; strong mercurial ointment, 6 parts. Mix. Used in Normandy to indolent tumours.

Ointment of Canthar′idine. Syn. Unguentum cantharidinæ, L. Prep. (Soubeiran.) Cantharidine, 1 gr.; white wax, 1 dr.; lard, 7 dr.; mix thoroughly. (See above.)

Ointment of Cap′sicum. Syn. Unguentum capsici, L. Prep. (Dr Turnbull.) Tincture of capsicum (pure), q. s.; gently evaporate it until it begins to gelatinise, then mix the extract with twice its weight of lard. As a powerful stimulant and rubefacient. When very freely used, it vesicates.

Ointment of Car′bonate of Am′′monia. See Ointment, Ammoniacal.

Ointment of Carbolic Acid. (Ph. U. S.) Syn. Unguentum acidi carbolici. Prep. Carbolic acid, 60 gr.; simple ointment, 480 gr.

Ointment of Car′bonate of Lead. Syn. White lead ointment; Unguentum plumbi carbonatis (P. B., Ph. E. & D.), U. cerussæ, L. Prep. 1. (Ph. E.) Carbonate of lead, 1 oz.; simple ointment, 5 oz.; mix thoroughly.

2. (Ph. D.) Carbonate of lead, 3 oz.; ointment of white wax, 1 lb.; mix with heat.

3. (B. P.) Carbonate of lead, in fine powder, 1; simple ointment, 7. Mix.

4. Unguentum plumbi camphoratum—(E., 1744). Add to the last 2 scruples of camphor ground with a little oil.

Uses, &c. Cooling; desiccative. Useful to promote the healing of excoriated parts and slight ulcerations. The camphorated white ointment of old pharmacy (Ung. album camphoratum—Ph. L. 1744) was made by adding 40 gr. of camphor to the first of the above.

Ointment of Cat′echu. Syn. Unguentum catechu, L. Prep. From alum, 1 oz.; catechu, 3 oz.; (both in very fine powder;) added to olive oil, ⁄2 pint, and yellow resin, 4 oz., previously melted together. Used to dress ulcers in hot climates, where the ordinary fat ointments are objectionable; also in this country during hot weather. See Ointment, Astringent.

Ointment of Chalk. Syn. Unguentum cretæ. Prep. Prepared chalk, 1 oz.; lard, 4 oz. Mix.

Ointment of Chamomile. (M. Bazin.) Syn. Unguentum anthemidis. Prep. Freshly powdered chamomile flowers, olive oil, and lard, in equal quantities. For the cure of itch.

Ointment of Char′coal. Syn. Unguentum carbonis, L. Prep. 1. Resin ointment, 10 dr.; recently burnt charcoal (levigated), 3 dr. As a dressing to foul ulcers, especially those of the legs.

2. (Caspar.) Lime tree charcoal and dried carbonate of soda, of each 2 dr,; rose ointment, 1 oz., or q. s. In scald-head.

3. (Radius.) Animal charcoal (recent), 1 part; mallow ointment, 2 parts. As a friction in glandular enlargements and indurations, as a dressing to fetid ulcers, &c.

Ointment of Cher′ry-Laurel. Syn. Unguentum lauro-cerasi, L. Prep. (Soubeiran.) Essential oil of cherry-laurel, 1 dr.; lard, 1 oz. To alleviate the pain in cancer, neuralgia, and other local affections.

Ointment, Chil′blain. Syn. Unguentum ad perniones, L. Prep. 1. From made mustard (very thick), 2 parts; almond oil and glycerine, of each 1 part; triturated together. To be applied night and morning.

2. (Cottereau.) Acetate of lead, camphor, and cherry-laurel water, of each 1 dr.; tar, 1⁄2 dr.; lard, 1 oz.

3. (Devergie.) Creasote and Goulard’s extract, of each 12 drops; extract of opium, 1⁄2 gr.; lard, 1 oz. Twice or thrice daily.

4. (Giacomini.) Sugar of lead, 2 dr.; cherry-laurel water (distilled), 2 fl. dr.; lard, 1 oz.

5. (Linnæus.) Balsam of Peru, 1 dr.; hydrochloric acid, 2 dr.; spermaceti ointment, 2⁄2 oz.

Obs. For Swediaur’s, Vance’s, and Wahler’s ointments, see article Chilblain.

Ointment of Chloral Hydrate. (Dowault.) Syn. Unguentum chloralis hydras. Prep. Chloral hydrate, 2 parts; lard, 20 parts. Stimulant; stronger if required as a rubefacient.

Ointment of Chlo′′ride of Cal′cium. Syn. Unguentum calcii chloridi, U. calcis muriatis†, L. Prep. (Sundelin.) Chloride of calcium (dry), 1 dr.; strong vinegar, 40 gr.; foxglove (recent, in fine powder), 2 dr.; lard, 1 oz. In bronchocele, scrofulous tumours, &c.

Ointment of Chloride of Lead. Syn. Unguentum plumbi chloridi, L. Prep. (Tuson). Chloride of lead, 1 part; simple cerate, 8 parts; carefully triturated together. In painful cancerous ulcerations and neuralgic tumours. See Lead (Chloride).

Ointment of Chloride of Lime. See Ointment of Hypochlorite of Lime.

Ointment of Chloride of Mercury. See Ointments of Calomel and Corrosive sublimate.

Ointment of Chlo′′rine. Syn. Unguentum chlorinii, L. Prep. (Augustin.) Chlorine water, 1 part; lard, 8 parts; well triturated together. In itch, lepra, ringworm, fetid ulcers, &c.

Ointment of Chlor-i′odide of Mercury. Syn. Unguentum hydrargyri chloriodidi, L. Prep. (M. Recamier.) Chloriodide (iodo-chloride) of mercury, 3 gr.; lard, 5 dr. Recommended as a powerful discutient or resolvent. See Ointment of Iodo-chloride of Mercury.

Ointment of Chlo′′roform. Syn. Unguentum chloroformi, L. Prep. (M. Louis.) Chloroform, 1 dr.; simple ointment, 1 oz. In neuralgia and rheumatic pains, &c. It must be kept in a stoppered, wide-mouthed phial.

Ointment of Cin′chona. Syn. Ointment of bark; Unguentum cinchonæ, L. Prep. (Biett.) Red cinchona bark (in very fine powder) and almond oil, of each 1 part; beef marrow (prepared), 3 parts. In the variety of scald-head termed porrigo decalvans. A little oil of mace or tar is a useful addition.

Ointment, Cit′rine. See Ointment of Nitrate of Mercury.

Ointment of Cobalt, Oxide of. (Amst. Ph.) Syn. Unguentum oxidi cobalti. Prep. Simple cerate, 16 oz.; liquid subacetate of lead, 4 oz.; powdered smalt, 4 oz.

Ointment of Coc′culus In′dicus. Syn. Unguentum cocculi (Ph. E.), L. Prep. (Ph. E.) Kernels of Cocculus indicus, 1 part; beat them to a smooth paste in a mortar, first alone, and next with a little lard; then further add of lard, q. s., so that it may be equal to 5 times the weight of the kernels. Used to destroy pediculi, and in scald-head, &c.

Ointment of Cod-liver Oil. Syn. Unguentum olei morrhuæ, U. o. jecoris aselli, L. Prep. Cod-liver oil (pale and recent), 7 parts; white wax and spermaceti, of each 1 part; melted together. In ophthalmia and opacity of the cornea, either alone or combined with a little citrine ointment; as a friction or dressing for scrofulous indurations and sores; in rheumatism, stiff joints, and in several skin diseases. It often succeeds in porrigo or scald-head when all other remedies have failed. Scented with oil of nutmeg and balsam of Peru, it forms an excellent pomade for strengthening and restoring the hair.

Ointment of Col′ocynth. Syn. Unguentum colocynthidis, L. Prep. (Chrestien.) Colocynth pulp (in very fine powder), 1 part; lard, 8 parts. Used in frictions on the abdomen as a hydragogue purgative, in mania, dropsy, &c.

Ointment of Corrosive Sub′limate. Syn. Ointment of chloride of mercury; Unguentum hydrargyri chloridi, L. Prep. 1. From corrosive sublimate, 2 to 5 gr.; rub it to powder in a glass or wedgwood-ware mortar; add of rectified spirit, 6 or 7 drops, or q. s.; again triturate; lastly add, gradually, of spermaceti ointment (reduced to a cream-like state by heat), 1 oz., and continue the trituration until the whole concretes. Used as a stimulant, detergent, and discutient application in various local affections; in lepra, porrigo, acne, &c., and as a dressing to syphilitic and some other ulcers.

2. (Ph. Chirur.) Corrosive sublimate, 10 gr.; yolk of 1 egg; lard, 1 oz. As a dressing.

3. (Pommade de Cirillo—P. Cod.) Corrosive sublimate, 1 dr.; lard, 1 oz. Caustic; must not be confounded with the preceding.

Ointment, Cosmet′ic. Syn. Unguentum cosmeticum, L.; POMMADE DE LA JEUNESSE, Fr. Prep. (Quincey.) Spermaceti, 3 dr. (better, 4⁄2 dr.); oil of almonds, 2 oz.; melt together, and, when cooled a little, stir in of nitrate of bismuth (‘white bismuth’), 1 dr.; and, lastly, of oil of rhodium, 6 drops. In itch and some other cutaneous eruptions; but chiefly as a pomade for the hair. Its frequent use is said to turn the latter black.

Ointment of Cre′asote. Syn. Unguentum creasoti (B. P., Ph. L. E. D. & U. S.), L. Prep. 1. (Ph. L.) Creasote, ⁄2 fl. dr.; lard, 1 oz.; triturate together.

2. (Ph. E.) Lard, 3 oz.; melt it by a gentle heat; add of creasote, 1 dr., and stir the mixture until it is nearly cold.

3. (Ph. D.) Creasote, 1 fl. dr.; ointment of white wax, 7 dr.; as the last.

4. (B. P.) Creasote, 1; simple ointment, 8. Mix.

Uses, &c. In several skin diseases, especially ringworm; as a friction in tic-douloureux; a dressing for scalds and burns; an application to chilblains, &c.

Ointment of Cro′ton Oil. Syn. Unguentum crotonis, L. Prep. 1. Croton oil, 15 to 30 drops; lard (softened by heat), 1 oz.; mix well. This is the usual and most useful strength to prepare the ointment. Rubefacient and counter-irritant; in rheumatism and various other diseases. When rubbed repeatedly on the skin, it produces redness and a pustular eruption. It also often affects the bowels by absorption. The only advantage it possesses over other preparations of the class is the rapidity of its action.

2. (Rubefacient pomade—Caventou.) White wax, 1 part; lard, 5 parts; melt together, and, when quite cold, mince it small, add of croton oil, 2 parts, and mix by trituration. Stronger than the last.

Ointment of Cy′anide of Mer′cury. Syn. Unguentum hydrargyri cyanidi, L. Prep. 1. (Cazenave.) Cyanide of mercury, 8 gr.; lard, 1 oz.; carefully triturated together.

2. (Pereira.) Cyanide of mercury, 10 to 12 gr.; lard, 1 oz. As a dressing for scrofulous and syphilitic ulcers, &c.; as an application in psoriasis, moist tetters, and some other skin diseases, &c. Biett orders the addition of a few drops of essence of lemon.

Ointment of Cyanide of Potas′sium. Syn. Unguentum potassii cyanidi, L. Prep. (Cazenave.) Cyanide of potassium, 12 gr.; oil of almonds, 2 dr.; triturate, add of cold cream (dry), 2 oz., and mix by careful trituration. As an anodyne in neuralgia, rheumatism, swelled joints, &c.; also as a friction over the spine in hysteria, and over the epigastrium in gastrodynia, &c.

Ointment of Delphin′ine. Syn. Unguentum delphiniæ, L. Prep. (Dr Turnbull.) Delphinine or delphinia, 10 to 30 gr.; olive oil, 1 dr.; lard, 1 oz.; mix as the last. Used as a friction in rheumatism, and the other cases in which veratrine is employed.

Ointment, Depil′atory. Syn. Unguentum depilatorium, L. See Depilatory (Cazenave’s).

Ointment, Desic′cative. Syn. Drying ointment; Unguentum desiccativum, U. exsiccans, L. See the Ointments of Calamine, Lead, Zinc, &c.

Ointment, Deter′gent. Syn. Unguentum detergens, L. The OINTMENTS OF NITRATE OF MERCURY, NITRIC OXIDE OF MERCURY, TAR, VERDIGRIS, &c., when not too strong, come under this head.

Ointment, Diges′tive. Syn. Unguentum digestivum, L. Prep. 1. (P. Cod.) Venice turpentine, 2 oz.; yolks of 2 eggs; mix, and add of oil of St John’s wort, ⁄2 oz.

2. (Digestif animé—P. Cod.) As the last, with an equal weight of liquid styrax.

3. (Digestif mercuriel—P. Cod.) As No. 1, with an equal weight of mercurial ointment.

4. (Ung. d. viride—Dr Kirkland.) Beeswax, gum elemi, and yellow resin, of each 1 oz.; green oil, 6 oz.; melt them together, and, when considerably cooled, add of oil of turpentine 2 dr.

Ointment, Edinburgh. Two compounds are known under this name:—1. (Brown.) From black basilicon, 6 parts; milk of sulphur, 2 parts; sal ammoniac, 1 part.

2. (White.) From white hellebore, 3 oz.; sal ammoniac, 2 oz.; lard, 1 lb. Both are used in itch.

Ointment of Eggs. Syn. Unguentum ovorum, L. Prep. 1. Yolk of 1 egg; honey and fresh linseed oil, of each 1 oz.; balsam of Peru, ⁄2 dr.; mix well.

2. (Soubeiran.) Beeswax, 4 dr.; oil of almonds, 1⁄2 oz.; yolk of 1 egg. As an emollient and soothing dressing to excoriations, irritable ulcers, &c.

Ointment, Egyp′tian. Prep. (Giordano.) Burnt alum, 1 part; verdigris, 10 parts; strong vinegar, 14 parts; purified honey (thick), 32 parts; mix by heat and agitation. As a detergent application to foul ulcers. It is a modification of the ‘unguentum Ægyptiacum’ of old pharmacy.

Ointment of Elder-flowers. Syn. White elder-ointment; Unguentum sambuci florum, U. sambuci (Ph. L.), L. Prep. 1. (Ph. L.) Elder flowers and lard, of each 1 lb.; boil them together until the flowers become crisp, then strain, with pressure, through a linen cloth. The same precautions must be observed as are necessary in the preparation of the medicated oils, by infusion. Emollient; less white and odorous than the following:—

2. (Wholesale.) Take of lard (hard, white, and sweet), 25 lbs.; prepared mutton suet, 5 lbs.; melt them in a well-tinned copper or earthen vessel, add of elder-flower water 3 galls., agitate briskly for about ⁄2 an hour, and set it aside; the next day gently pour off the water, remelt the ointment, and add of benzoic acid, 5 dr.; otto of roses, 20 drops; oil of bergamot and oil of rosemary, of each 1 dr.; again agitate well, let it settle for 10 minutes, and then pour off the clear portion into pots for sale. Very agreeable, and keeps well.

Obs. The last formula is the one now generally adopted by the large wholesale houses.

Ointment of Elder-leaf. Syn. Elder ointment, Green e. o.; Unguentum viride, U. sambuci viride, U. sambuci (Ph. D. 1826), L. Prep. 1. (Ph. D. 1826.) Fresh elder leaves (bruised), 3 lbs.; suet, 4 lbs.; lard, 2 lbs.; boil together, as above.

2. (Wholesale.) Good fresh lard, 1 cwt.; fresh elder leaves, 56 lbs.; boil till crisp, strain off the oil, put it over a slow fire, add hard prepared mutton suet, 14 lbs., and gently stir it until it acquires a bright green colour.

Obs. The above ointment is reputed to be emollient and cooling, and has always been a great favourite with the common people. Both elder-flower and elder-leaf ointment are, however, unnecessary preparations. “They are vestiges of the redundant practice of former times.” (A. T. Thomson.) The above formulæ are those now almost exclusively employed in trade. The ointment should be allowed to cool very slowly, and after its temperature has fallen a little, and it begins to thicken, it should not be stirred, in order that it may ‘grain’ well, as a granular appearance is much admired. It is a common practice to add powdered verdigris to deepen the colour, but then the ointment does not keep well. This dangerous fraud may be detected in the manner noticed under Cerate, Savine.

Ointment of Elecampane. Syn. Unguentum Inulæ. Prep. Fresh elecampane root (boiled till soft and pulped), 1⁄2 oz.; lard, 1 oz. Mix.

Ointment of El′emi. Syn. Balsam of arcæus†, Unguentum elemi (B. P., Ph. L. & D.), L. Prep. 1. (Ph. L.) Elemi, 3 oz.; suet, 6 oz.; melt them together, remove the vessel from the fire, and stir in of common turpentine, 2⁄2 oz.; olive oil, ⁄2 fl. oz.; lastly, strain the whole through a linen cloth.

2. (Ph. D.) Resin of elemi, 4 oz.; ointment of white wax, 1 lb; melt them together, strain through flannel, and stir the mixture constantly until it concretes.

3. (B. P.) Elemi, 1; simple ointment, 4; melt and strain.

Uses, &c. Stimulant and digestive. It is frequently employed to keep open issues and setons, and as a dressing for old and ill-conditioned sores. The ‘UNG. ELEMI CUM ÆRURINE’ of St George’s Hospital is made by adding 1 dr. of finely powdered verdigris to every 6 oz. of the ointment.

Ointment of Emetina. (Dr Turnbull.) Syn. Unguentum emetinæ. Prep. Emetine, 15 gr.; rectified spirit, q. s.; lard, ⁄2 oz. Used as a rubefacient.

Ointment Escharot′ic. Syn. Unguentum escharoticum, L. Prep. 1. (Sir B. Brodie.) Corrosive sublimate, 1 dr.; nitric oxide of mercury, sulphate of copper, and verdigris, of each 2 dr. (all in very fine powder); lard, q. s. See Ointment, and Cerate, Arsenical.

Ointment of Euphorbium. (Dr Neligan.) Syn. Unguentum euphorbii. Prep. Powdered euphorbium, 25 to 30 gr.; lard, 1 oz.; mix. To keep up a discharge from issues.

Ointment of Glycerin. Syn. Unguentum glycerini. Prep. Glycerin, 4 fl. oz.; oil of almonds, 8 fl. oz.; wax and spermaceti, of each ⁄2 oz.

Ointment, Eye. Syn. Eye salve; Unguentum ophthalmicum, L. Prep. 1. (Dr Collier.) Burnt alum, ⁄2 dr.; powdered opium, 20 gr.; olive oil, 1 fl. dr.; spermaceti ointment, 2 dr. In inflammation of the eyelids, purulent ophthalmia, &c.

2. (W. Cooley.) Chloride of barium, 6 gr.; calomel, 10 gr.; simple ointment, 1 oz.; otto of roses, 1 or 2 drops. In scrofulous ophthalmia.

3. (Dessault.) Nitric oxide of mercury, carbonate of zinc, acetate of lead, and dried alum, of each 1 dr.; corrosive sublimate, 10 gr.; rose ointment, 1 oz. In chronic ophthalmia, profuse discharges, &c.; in general, diluted.

4. (Dupuytren.) Red oxide of mercury, 10 gr.; sulphate of zinc, 20 gr.; lard, 2 oz. For chronic inflammation of the eyelids, chronic ulcers, &c.

5. (Fricke). Nitrate of silver, 10 gr.; zinc ointment, 2 dr.; balsam of Peru, ⁄2 dr. In ulceration of the cornea, and in acute, purulent, and chronic ophthalmia, &c., employing great caution in its use.

6. (Guthrie.) Spermaceti ointment, 1 dr.; solution of diacetate of lead, 15 drops; nitrate of silver, 2 to 10 gr. As the last, and in cases wherein a direct caustic action is desired. The stronger ointment often occasions intense pain.

7. (Hufeland.) Black oxide of mercury, 2 gr.; spermaceti cerate and walnut oil, of each 1 dr. In chronic affections of the eyes or eyelids, particularly in those of a syphilitic character.

8. (Janin.) Ammonio-chloride of mercury, 1 dr.; tutty and bole, of each 2 dr.; lard, 1 oz. In debility of the conjunctiva, in chronic inflammation with excessive secretion, &c.

9. (Marshall.) See Cerate (Marshall’s).

10. (Parker.) Iodine, 1 gr.; iodide of potassium, 5 gr.; simple ointment, 3 dr. In scrofulous ophthalmia, thickening of the conjunctiva, opacity of the cornea, &c.

11. (Pellier.) Nitric oxide of mercury and carbonate of zinc, of each 1⁄2 dr.; tutty, ⁄2 dr.; red sulphuret of mercury, 20 gr.; lard, 2 oz; balsam of Peru, 15 drops. In specks in the eye arising from small ulcers which have healed up; in excessive defluxions, &c.

12. (Ratier.) Liquor of diacetate of lead, ⁄2 dr.; wine of opium, 1 dr.; lard, ·5 dr. In excoriations, and the variety of chronic ophthalmia popularly termed ‘blear eye.’

13. (Regent). Acetate of lead and red precipitate, of each 1 dr.; camphor, 6 gr.; washed fresh butter, 2⁄2 oz. As the last, and in chronic ulcerations.

14. (Singleton’s GOLDEN OINTMENT.) According to Dr Paris, this compound consists of lard medicated with orpiment (native yellow sulphuret of arsenic). There appears, however, to be some mistake in this, as that sold us under the name had nearly the same composition as the OINTMENT OF NITRIC OXIDE OF MERCURY of the Pharmacopœia. It did not contain even a trace of either arsenic or sulphur. The action of this nostrum, and the reputation which it has acquired, fully justify this conclusion.

15. (Smellome.) From verdigris (levigated), ⁄2 dr.; olive oil, 1 fl. dr.; triturate together; add of yellow basilicon, 1 oz, and again triturate until it begins to concrete. A popular nostrum, sometimes useful in chronic inflammation and ulcerations of the eyelids, &c., especially in those of a scrofulous character.

16. (Spielmann.) Acetate of lead, 20 gr.; spermaceti cerate, 5 dr.; compound tincture of benzoin, 40 gr. Cooling; desiccative. In inflamed eyelids, excoriations, &c.

17. (St Yve.) Fresh butter (washed), 1 oz.; white wax, 1 dr.; camphor, 15 gr.; melt by a gentle heat, and, when cooled a little, add of red precipitate (levigated), ⁄2 dr.; oxide of zinc, 20 gr. In chronic inflammation of the coats of the eye, or of the eyelids, specks on the cornea, &c.

18. (Thomson.) Levigated oxide of zinc, 1 dr.; lard, 9 dr.; wine of opium, 20 drops. In chronic ophthalmia depending on want of tone in the vessels and integuments of the eye.

19. (Velpeau.) Precipitated sesquioxide of iron (recent, but dry), ⁄2 dr.; lard, 5 dr.; oil of almonds, 1 fl. dr.; balsam of Peru, 15 drops. As the last, especially in ‘blear eye.’

20. (Ware.) Wine of opium, 1 fl. dr.; simple ointment, 3 dr. In ophthalmia, after the inflammatory symptoms have subsided, and the vessels remain red and turgid.

Obs. The ingredients entering into the composition of all the above ointments must be reduced to the state of impalpable powder before mixing them; and the incorporation should be made by long trituration in a wedgwood-ware mortar, or, preferably, for those that contain substances that are very gritty, by levigation on a porphyry slab, with a muller. The most serious consequences, even blindness, have resulted from the neglect of these precautions. They should all be employed in exceedingly small quantities at a time, and they should be very carefully applied by means of a camel-hair pencil or a feather; and, in general, not until acute inflammation has subsided. The stronger ones, in most cases, require dilution with an equal weight to twice their weight of lard or simple ointment, and should only be used of their full strength under proper medical advice. Various other formulæ for OPHTHALMIC OINTMENTS will be found under the names of their leading ingredients.

Ointment of Fig′wort. See Ointment of Scrophularia.

Ointment of Fox′glove. Syn. Unguentum digitalis, L. Prep. 1. From fresh foxglove as ointment of hemlock—Ph. L. As an application to chronic ulcers, glandular swellings, &c.

2. (Rademacher.) Extract of foxglove, 2 dr.; lard, 1 oz. In croup; spread on lint, and applied as a plaster to the throat.

Ointment of Fu′ligokali. See Fuligokali.

Ointment of Galls. Syn. Unguentum gallæ (B. P., Ph. D.), L. Prep. 1. (Ph. D.). Gall-nuts (in very fine powder), 1 dr.; ointment of white wax, 7 dr.; rub them together until a uniform mixture is obtained.

2. (B. P.) Galls, in very fine powder, 80 gr.; benzoated lard, 1 oz. Mix. An excellent application to piles, either alone or mixed with an equal quantity of zinc ointment; also highly useful in ringworm of the scalp.

Ointment of Galls and Opium. Unguentum gallæ cum opio (B. P.); Unguentum gallæ opiatum, U. gallæ compositum—Ph. L., U. gallæ et opii—(Ph. E.)—Prep. 1. (Ph. L.) Gall-nuts (very finely powdered), 6 dr.; powdered opium, 1⁄4 dr.; lard, 6 oz.; rub them together.

2. (Ph. E.) Galls, 2 dr.; opium, 1 dr.; lard, 1 oz.; as the last.

3. (B. P.) Ointment of galls, 1 oz.; opium (in powder), 32 gr. Mix.

Uses, &c. A most valuable astringent and anodyne in blind piles, slight cases of prolapsus ani, &c. Some practitioners add 1 dr. of camphor. The ointment of the Ph. E. is much the strongest.

Ointment of Galls with Morphia. Unguentum gallæ et morphiæ—(Dr Paris.) Morphia, 2 gr.; olive oil (hot), 2 fl. dr.; triturate, add of zinc ointment (Ph. L.), 1 oz.; powdered galls, 1 dr.; and mix thoroughly. In piles. The quantity of galls should be doubled.

Ointment of Galls with Camphor. Syn. Unguentum gallæ cum camphorâ. Prep. Galls, 2 dr.; camphor, ⁄2 dr.; lard, 1 oz. Mix them.

Ointment of Garlic. Syn. Unguentum allii, L. Prep. 1. Fresh garlic (bruised), 2 parts; lard, 3 parts; simmer together for ⁄2 an hour, and then strain with expression. Rubbed on the abdomen in chronic diarrhœa and colic, and over the chest and spine in hooping-cough.

2. (Beasley.) Fresh garlic and lard, equal parts; beaten together. Applied to the feet in hooping-cough.

Ointment, Giacomini’s. See Ointment, Chilblain.

Ointment of Gold. Syn. Unguentum auri, L.; Pommade d’or, Fr. Prep. 1. (Legrand.) Gold (in powder), 12 gr.; lard, 1 oz. As a dressing for syphilitic ulcers; and as a friction in glandular indurations, &c.; also endermically.

2. (Magendie.) Amalgam of gold, 1 dr.; lard, 1 oz. For endermic use, chiefly. When the surface becomes dry, the ointment of terchloride of gold is to be substituted as a dressing. In rheumatic pains, neuralgia, &c.

Ointment, Gold′en. See Ointment, Eye, Citrine O., &c.

Ointment, Gondret’s. See Ointment, Ammoniacal.

Ointment, Goulard’s. Syn. Unguentum Goulardi, U. lithargyri acetatis, L. Prep. (Ph. Chirur.) Goulard’s extract, 1 dr.; simple ointment, 2 oz. See Cerate (Lead).

Ointment, Green. See Ointment, Elder.

Ointment of Guarana. Syn. Unguentum guaranæ. Prep. One part of extract of guarana to eight parts of lard.

Ointment of Hel′lebore. Syn. Ointment of white hellebore; Unguentum veratri, L. Prep. 1. (Ph. L. 1836.) White hellebore (in very fine powder), 2 oz.; lard, 8 oz.; oil of lemons, 20 drops. In itch, lepra, ringworm, &c.; and to destroy insects in the hair of children. It should be used with caution, and, preferably, diluted with an equal weight of lard.

2. (Compound; Unguentum veratri compositum.)—a. (Rayer.) White hellebore, 1 oz.; sal ammoniac, ⁄2 oz.; lard, 8 oz. Used as the last.

b. See Sulfur ointment (Compound)—Ph. L.

Ointment of Hem′lock. Syn. Unguentum conii (Ph. L.), L. Prep. 1. (Ph. L.) Fresh hemlock leaves and lard, of each 1 lb.; boil them together (very gently) until the leaves become crisp, then strain through linen, with pressure. See Oils (Medicated).

2. Extract of hemlock, 1 dr.; lard, 9 dr.; triturate together.

Uses, &c. As a local anodyne in neuralgic and rheumatic pains, glandular enlargements, painful piles, &c.; and as a dressing to painful and irritable ulcers, cancerous sores, &c.

Ointment of Hen′bane. Syn. Unguentum hyoscyami, L. Prep. 1. Fresh henbane leaves, 1 lb.; lard, 2 lbs.; boil until nearly crisp.

2. (Taddei.) Extract of henbane, 1 dr.; lard, 1 oz. Anodyne; in painful piles, sores, &c., as the last.

Ointment, Holloway’s. See Patent medicines.

Ointment of Hops. Syn. Unguentum lupuli, L. Prep. (Swediaur.) Hops (commercial), 2 oz.; lard, 10 oz.; as extract of hemlock, Ph. L. In painful piles and cancerous sores.

Ointment of Hydri′odate of Ammo′′nia. Syn. Unguentum ammoniæ hydriodatis, L. Prep. From hydriodate of ammonia (iodide of ammonium), ⁄2 dr.; simple ointment, 1 oz. Used chiefly as an application to scrofulous tumour and ulcers, in irritable subjects.

Ointment of Hydrochlo′′ric Acid. Syn. Unguentum acidi hydrochlorici, L. Prep. (Dr Corrigan.) Hydrochloric acid, 1 dr.; simple ointment, 1 oz. As a dressing for scald-head, after the scabs have been removed by emollient liniments or poultices.

Ointment of Hypochlo′′rite of Lime. Syn. Ointment of chloride of lime; Unguentum calcis hypochloritis, U. c. chlorinatæ, L. Prep. 1. From chlorinated lime (chloride of lime), 1 dr.; lard, 1 oz.; carefully triturated together. In scrofulous swellings, goitre, chilblains, indolent glandular tumours, &c.

2. Chlorinated lime, 1 dr.; powdered foxglove, 2 dr.; simple ointment, 2 oz. As an application to fetid and malignant ulcers, &c.

Ointment of Hypochlo′′rite of Sul′phur. Syn. Unguentum sulphuris hypochloritis, L. Prep. (Dr Copland.) Hypochlorite of sulphur, 1 dr.; simple ointment, 1 oz. It is generally scented with oil of almonds. Used in psoriasis inveterata, and some other skin diseases.

Ointment of I′odide of Ar′senic. Syn. Unguentum arsenici iodidi, L. Prep. (Biett.) Iodide of arsenic, 2 to 3 gr.; lard, 1 oz.; carefully triturated together. In lepra, psoriasis, &c.; and in corroding tubercular diseases. It should be used with caution, and not more than ⁄2 dr. applied at once.

Ointment of Iodide of Ba′′rium. Syn. Unguentum barii iodide, L. Prep. (Magendie.) Iodide of barium, 3 to 4 gr.; lard, 1 oz. As a friction to scrofulous swellings and indurations. The usual proportions are now 5 gr. to the oz.

Ointment of Iodide of Iron. (Pierquin.) Syn. Unguentum ferri iodidi. Prep. Iodide of iron, 1 dr.; lard, 1 oz. Mix them.

Ointment of Iodide of Lead. Syn. Unguentum plumbi iodidi (B. P., Ph. L., & D.), L. Prep. 1. (Ph. L.) Iodide of lead, 1 oz.; lard, 8 oz.; rub them together.

2. (Ph. D.) Iodide of lead (in fine powder), 1 dr.; ointment of white wax, 7 dr.

3. (B. P.) Iodide of lead, in fine powder, 62 gr.; simple ointment, 1 oz. Mix. An excellent application to scrofulous tumours and swelled glands, especially when accompanied with pain.

Ointment of Green Iodide of Mer′cury. Prep. 1. (Ointment of subiodide of mercury, O. of protiodide of m.*; Unguentum hydrargyri iodidi—Ph. L.) a. (Ph. L.) White wax, 2 oz.; lard, 6 oz.; melt them together, add of iodide (green iodide) of mercury, 1 oz., and rub them well together.

2. (Magendie.) Green iodide of mercury, 23 gr.; lard, 1⁄2 oz.

Uses, &c. In tubercular skin diseases, as a friction in scrofulous swellings and indolent granular tumours, and as a dressing for ill-conditioned ulcers, especially those of a scrofulous character.

Ointment of Red Iodide of Mercury. Unguentum hydrargyri iodidi rubri, B. P., O. of biniodide of m.*; Unguentum hydrargyri biniodidi,* U. h. iodidi rubri—(Ph. D.)—1. (Ph. D.) Red iodide of mercury, 1 dr.; ointment of white wax, 7 dr.; mix by careful trituration.

2. (Soubeiran.) Red iodide of mercury, 20 gr.; lard, 1⁄2 oz.

3. (B. P.) Red iodide of mercury (in very fine powder), 16 gr.; simple ointment, 1 oz. Mix.

Uses, &c. Similar to those of the preceding, but it is much more stimulant, and is regarded as better adapted for obstinate syphilitic sores. Largely diluted with lard or almond oil, it is applied to the eyes in like cases.

Ointment of Iodide of Potas′sium. Syn. Unguentum potassii iodidi (B. P., Ph. L. & D.), L. Prep. 1. (Ph. L.) Iodide of potassium, 2 dr., dissolved in boiling distilled water, 2 fl. dr.; lard (softened by heat), 2 oz.; triturate together until united.

2. (Ph. D.) Iodide of potassium, 1 dr.; distilled water, ⁄2 fl. dr.; ointment of white wax, 7 dr.; as before.

3. (Magendie.) Iodide of potassium, 1 dr.; lard, 12 dr.

4. (Le Gros.) Iodide, 1⁄2 dr.; lard, 1 oz.

5. (B. P.) Iodide of potassium, 64 gr.; carbonate of potash, 4 gr.; distilled water, 1 dr.; prepared lard, 1 oz.; dissolve the carbonate and the iodide in the water, and mix thoroughly with the lard.

Uses, &c. As a friction in scrofula, bronchocele, glandular enlargements, indurations, &c.; as a dressing to scrofulous ulcers, as an application in scrofulous ophthalmia, and in most of the other applications in which the employment of iodine is indicated. The last formula has been successfully employed by M. Le Gros in itch.

Obs. The strength of this ointment, as prescribed by different parties varies greatly, the proportions of the iodide ranging from ⁄32 to ⁄8 of the whole, to adapt it to particular cases. When other ingredients are added, the iodide must be used in a perfectly dry state, and in fine powder, instead of being dissolved in water. This is particularly necessary when it is to be mixed with mercurial ointment.

Ointment of Iodide of Sulphur. Syn. Unguentum sulphuris iodidi (B. P., Ph. L.), L. Prep. 1. (Ph. L.) Iodide of sulphur (in fine powder), ⁄2 dr.; lard, 1 oz.; mix by trituration.

2. (Cazenave.) Iodide of sulphur, 12 to 15 gr.; lard, 1 oz.

3. (B. P.) Iodide of sulphur, 1; lard, 16. Mix.

Uses, &c. As a local stimulant and alterative in the chronic forms of lepra, lupus, porrigo, psoriasis, itch, &c.; also a remedy for acne punctata. A few drops of oil of cloves or nutmeg are commonly added.

Ointment of Iodide of Zinc. Syn. Unguentum zinci iodidi, L. Prep. 1. From iodide of zinc, 12 gr.; simple ointment, 1 oz. In scrofulous excoriations, and in the chronic ophthalmia of scrofulous subjects, arising from a relaxed state of the tissues and vessels.

2. (Dr Ure.) Iodide of zinc, 1 dr.; lard, 1 oz. As a friction to glandular tumours and indurations, and as a dressing to flabby and obstinate scrofulous ulcers.

Ointment of I′odine. Syn. Unguentum iodi (B. P.), Unguentum iodinii (Ph. U. S.). Prep. 1.—(B. P.) Iodine, 32 gr.; iodide of potassium, 32 gr.; proof spirit, 1 dr.; rub together and add prepared lard, 2 oz. See Ointment of Iodine (Compound).

2. (Ph. U. S.) Iodine, 20 gr.; rectified spirit, 20 drops; rub them together, then add of lard, 1 oz.

Ointment of Iodine (Compound). Syn. Ointment of ioduretted iodide of potassium; Unguentum potassi iodidi ioduretum U. iodinii compositum—Ph. L. & D., U. iodinii—Ph. E.—a. (Ph. L.) Iodine of potassium (in very fine powder), 1 dr.; lard, 2 oz.; mix, then add of iodine, ⁄2 dr., dissolved in rectified spirit, 1 fl. dr., and mix all together. See Ointment of Iodine (B. P.)

b. (Ph. E.) Iodine, 1 dr.; iodide of potassium, 2 dr.; rub them together, then gradually add of lard, 4 oz.

c. (Ph. D.) Pure iodine, ⁄2 dr.; iodide of potassium, 1 dr.; rub them well together in a glass or porcelain mortar, then gradually add of ointment of white wax, 14⁄2 dr., and continue the trituration until a uniform ointment is obtained.

Uses, &c. The compound ointment is an excellent friction in goitre, and in enlarged or indurated glands or tumours, more especially those of a scrofulous character; in the quantity of ⁄2 to 1 dr., night and morning. It may be advantageously combined with extract of belladonna in the incipient bubo of scrofulous subjects, and in the early stages of cancer; and, with an equal weight of mercurial ointment, as a friction in cases of enlarged liver and spleen, and ovarian dropsy. The simple ointment of the Ph. U. S. is generally regarded as weaker and less efficacious than the compound.

Ointment of Iodo-chlo′′ride of Mercury. Syn. Unguentum hydrargyri iodo-bichloridi*, L. Prep. From iodo-chloride of Mercury, 16 gr.; simple ointment, 1 oz. Discutient; probably one of the most powerful known in syphilitic cases complicated with scrofula. See Ointment of Chloriodide of Mercury.

Ointment of Iodoform (Dr Glover). Syn. Unguentum iodoformi. Prep. Iodoform ⁄2 to 1 dram, simple cerate 8 drams. Mix.

Ointment, Iodo-hydrar′gyrate of Potassa. Syn. Unguentum potasse iodo-hydrargyratis, L. Prep. 1. (Lamothe.) Iodo-hydrargyrate of potassa, 20 gr.; lard, 1 oz.

2. (Puche.) Red iodide of mercury and iodide of potassium, of each 8 gr.; lard, 1 oz. As a powerful stimulant discutient; in tumours, inflammatory sore throat, &c.

Ointment, Iodo-narcot′ic. Syn. Unguentum iodo-narcoticum, L. Prep. (Purvis.) Iodine, 20 gr.; iodide of potassium, 2 dr.; oil of tobacco (by infusion), 1⁄2 dr.; lard, 3 dr. To relax rigid muscles.

Ointment of Ipecacuan′ha. Syn. Unguentum ipecacuanhæ, L. Prep. (Dr. Turnbull.) Ipecacuanha (in fine powder), 2 dr.; olive oil, 2 fl. dr.; lard or simple ointment, 4 dr. Counter-irritant; when frequently employed as a friction, it occasions an eruption, but one of a milder character than that from either croton oil or tartar emetic.

Ointment, Is′sue. Syn. Unguentum adfonticulos, L. Prep. (Golding Bird.) Ointment of cantharides (Ph. L.), 1⁄2 oz.; tartar emetic (in impalpaple powder), 8 gr.; spermaceti ointment, 2 oz. As a stimulating application to issues, to promote the discharge. See Elemi ointment, Cerate, Plaster, &c.

Ointment, Itch. Syn. Unguentum antipsoricum, L. Several excellent formulæ for itch ointments will be found under the names of their leading ingredients. The following are additional ones, including some nostrums:—

1. (Bailey.) From alum, nitre, and sulphate of zinc, of each, in very fine powder, 1⁄4 oz.; vermilion, ⁄2 oz.; mix, add gradually of sweet oil, ⁄4 pint; triturate together until perfectly mixed, then further add of lard (softened by heat), 1 lb., with oils of aniseed, lavender, and origanum, q. s. to perfume.

2. (Bateman.) Carbonate of potassa, ⁄2 oz.; rose water, 1 fl. oz.; red sulphuret of mercury, 1 dr.; oil of bergamot, ⁄2 fl. dr.; sublimed sulphur, and hog’s lard, of each 11 oz.; mix them. (Bateman, ‘Cutaneous Diseases.’) The nostrum vended under the name is made as follows:—Carbonate of potash, 1 oz.; vermilion, 3 dr.; sulphur, 1 lb.; lard, 1⁄2 lb.; rose water, 3 fl. oz.; oil of bergamot, 1⁄2 dr.

3. (French Hosp.) Chloride of lime, 1 dr.; rectified spirit, 2 fl. dr.; sweet oil, ⁄2 fl. oz.; common salt and sulphur, of each 1 oz.; soft soap, 2 oz.; oil of lemon, 20 drops. Cheap, effectual, and inoffensive.

4. (De la Harpe.) Sulphur, 2 oz.; powdered white hellebore, ⁄2 oz.; sulphate of zinc, ⁄4 do.; soft soap, 4 oz.; lard, 8 oz.

5. (Jackson.) From palm oil, flowers of sulphur, and white hellebore of each 1 part; lard, 2 parts.

6. (Nugent.) From white lead, 2 oz.; orris root, 1 oz.; corrosive sublimate, in very fine powder, ⁄2 oz.; palm oil, 4 oz.; lard, 1⁄2 lb.

7. (Ph. E., 1744.) Elecampane root and sharp-pointed dock (Rumex acutus—Linn.), of each bruised, 3 oz.; water, 1 quart; vinegar, ⁄4 pint; boil to one half, add of water-cress, 10 oz.; lard, 4 lb.; boil to dryness, and stain with expression; to the strained liquid add of beeswax and oil of bays, of each 4 oz.; and stir the mixture until nearly cold.

8. (Ung. a. comp.—Ph. E. 1744.) To each lb. of the last add of strong mercurial ointment, 2 oz.

9. (Robertson.) Soft soap, 1 oz.; rum, 1 table-spoonful; chloride of lime (dry and good), ⁄4 oz.; mix, and add of lard, 2 oz.

10. (Swediaur.) Stavesacre (in powder), 1 oz.; lard, 3 oz.; digest with heat for 3 hours, and then strain. The formula of the Ph. Bruns. is nearly similar. Very useful in itch; also to destroy pediculi.

11. (Thomson.) Chloride of lime and common salt, of each, in fine powder, 1 dr.; soft soap, 1 oz.; rectified spirit, 2 fl. dr.; mix, add of lard, 1 oz.; and, lastly, of strong vinegar, 3 fl. dr. Very cleanly and effective; but should not be made in quantity, as it does not keep well.

12. (Vogt.) Chloride of lime (dry), 2 dr.; burnt alum, 3 dr.; lard, 9 dr. To be mixed with an equal quantity of soft soap at the time of fusing it.

Obs. The products of the preceding formulæ are used by well rubbing them into the part affected, night and morning, as long as necessary, the number of applications required depending greatly on the manner in which this is done.

Ointment of I′vy. Syn. Unguentum hederæ, L. Prep. From the leaves of common ivy, by infusion, as ointment of henbane. Used as an application to soft corns, in itch, and as a dressing to indolent ulcers and tissues.

Ointment of Jatropha (Physic-nut). The milky juice of the English Physic nut (Jatropha curcas) mixed with half its weight of lard. In piles.

Ointment of Juniper. Syn. Unguentum juniperi. Prep. Juniper leaves, 1 part, resin ointment, 6 parts; boil gently and strain.

Ointment of Ju′′niper-tar. Syn. Unguentum olei pyroligni juniperi, U. cadinum, L. Prep. (Eras. Wilson.) Lard and suet, of each 6 parts; beeswax, 4 parts; liquefy by heat, and add of pyroligneous oil of juniper (‘huile de cade’) 16 parts; with a few drops of any fragrant essential oil, to conceal the smell. In ringworm, and as a stimulant ointment in some other skin diseases.

Ointment, Kirkland’s. See Lead ointment (Compound).

Ointment of Labdanum. (Quincy.) Syn. Unguentum criniscum. Prep. Labdanum, 6 dr.; bears’ grease, 2 oz.; powdered southernwood, 3 dr.; oil of mace, 1 dr.; balsam of Peru, 2 dr.

Ointment of Lard. Syn. Unguentum adipis, L. Prep. (Ph. L. 1788.) Prepared lard, 2 lbs.; melt, add of rose water, 3 fl. oz.; beat the two well together, then set the vessel aside, and when the whole is cold, separate the congealed fat. A simple emollient. See Ointment, Elder.

Ointment of Lau′rel. Syn. Laurine ointment; Unguentum laurinum, U. lauri nobilis, L. Prep. 1. (Ph. Lusit.) Suet (softened by heat), 8 oz.; laurel oil (expressed oil of bay), 1 lb.; oil of turpentine, 1⁄2 oz. This is the ‘nervine balsam’ and ‘nervine ointment’ of the shops in the Peninsula, and in some other parts of Southern Europe. The Ph. Bat. 1805 added ⁄2 oz. of rectified oil of amber.

2. (P. Cod.) Fresh bay leaves and berries (bruised), of each 1 lb.; lard, 2 lbs.; as hemlock ointment—Ph. L. Highly esteemed on the Continent as a stimulating friction, in bruises, strains, stiff joints, &c.; and in deafness.

3. (Trade.) From fresh bay leaves, 2 lbs.; bay berries, 1 lb.; neat’s-foot oil, 5 pints; boil as last; to the strained oil add, of lard suet, 3 lbs., true oil of bay, ⁄4 lb., and allow it to cool very slowly, in order that it may ‘grain’ well. Sold for laurel ointment and common oil of bay.

Ointment of Lavender (Baume). Syn. Oleum lavandulæ. Prep. Lard, 2⁄2 lbs.; lavender flowers, 10 lbs.; white wax, 3 oz. Melt the lard, digest with 2 lbs. of the flowers for two hours, and strain; repeat this with fresh flowers till all are used; melt the ointment and leave it at rest to cool; separate the moisture and dregs, and melt the ointment with the wax.

Ointment of Lead. Syn. (Unguentum plumbi, U. lithargyri—P. Cod.) Prep. 1. Litharge, 3 oz.; distilled vinegar, 4 oz.; olive oil, 9 oz.; mix with heat, and stir until they combine. Camphor, morphia, and opium are common additions to lead ointment, when an anodyne effect is desirable.

2. (Compound; Neutral ointment, Higgin’s o., Kirklands’ o.; Unguentum neutrale, U. plumbi compositum—Ph. L.) Lead plaster, 2 lbs.; olive oil, 18 fl. oz.; mix by a gentle heat, and add of prepared chalk, 6 oz.; lastly, add of dilute acetic acid, 6 fl. oz., and stir well until the mass has cooled. As a dressing in indolent ulcers, “but its utility is doubtful.” (Dr Garrod.)

Obs. It will be observed that the College has already modified the old formula of this ointment. The vinegar is now the last ingredient added to the mass. “Gradually add the chalk, separately mixed with the vinegar, the effervescence being finished, and stir,” &c. (Ph. L. 1836.) See Acetate of Lead, Carbonate of L., Chloride of L., Iodide of L.; Eye, Goulard’s, Le Mort’s, and other OINTMENTS containing lead.

Ointment, Le Mort’s. Carbonate of lead, corrosive sublimate, litharge, and Venice turpentine, of each 1 oz.; alum, ⁄2 oz.; lard, ⁄2 lb.; vermilion, q. s. to colour.

Ointment of Lu′puline. Syn. Unguentum lupulinæ, L. Prep. (Soubeiran.) Lupuline, 1 part; lard, 3 parts; digest by the heat of a water bath for 5 or 6 hours, and strain. As an anodyne dressing to cancerous ulcers, and as a friction to swollen and painful joints.

Ointment of Lycopo′dium. Syn. Unguentum lycopodii, L. Prep. Lycopodium, 1 dr.; balsam of Peru, ⁄2 dr.; simple ointment, 1 oz. In chaps and excoriations.

Ointment of Mace. Syn. Unguentum macidis, L. Prep. From mace (beaten to a paste) and palm oil, of each 1 lb.; purified beef marrow, 3 lbs.; gently melted together, and strained. Emollient and stimulant; chiefly used as a pomade for the hair. Sold for ‘common oil of mace.’

Ointment of Marshmal′low. Syn. Unguentum althææ, Dialthææ, L. Prep. 1. (Ph. L. 1746.) Oil of mucilages, 2 lbs.; beeswax, ⁄2 lb.; yellow resin, 3 oz.; melt them together, then add of Venice turpentine, ⁄2 oz.; and stir the mixture until it concretes.

2. (Wholesale.) From palm oil, ⁄2 lb.; yellow resin, 1⁄4 lb.; beeswax, 2⁄4 lbs.; pale linseed oil, 9 lbs. (say 1 gall.); melt together and stir until it is nearly cold.

Uses, &c. Emollient and stimulant; seldom used in regular practice, but in great repute amongst the common people. Linseed oil is now almost universally substituted for the oil of mucilages.

Ointment of Master-wort. Syn. Pommade anti-cancéreuse de Milius; Unguentum imperitoriæ, L. Prep. (Beasley.) Powdered master-wort (Imperatoria Ostruthium), 1⁄2 oz.; tincture of master-wort, 1 oz.; lard, 2 oz.

Ointment of Matico (Mr Young). Syn. Unguentum matico. Prep. Powdered matico, 3 drams; opium, 3 gr.; lard, 1 oz.

Ointment, Mercu′′rial. Syn. (Strong MERCURIAL OINTMENT, Blue o., Neapolitan o.; Unguentum hydrargyri—B. P., Ph. L. E. & D., U. h. fortius, U. cæruleum.) Prep. 1. (B. P.) Mercury, 16; prepared lard, 16; prepared suet, 1; rub together until metallic globules cease to be visible. See also Ointment, Mercurial (Compound).

2 (Ph. L. & E.) Mercury; 1 lb.; lard, 11⁄2 oz.; suet, ⁄2 oz.; rub the mercury with the suet and a little of the lard, until globules are no longer visible; then add the remaining lard, and triturate altogether.

3. (Ph. D.) Pure mercury and lard, of each 1 lb.; as before.

Pur., &c. The ‘stronger mercurial ointment’ of the shops is usually made with a less quantity of mercury than that ordered by the Colleges, and the colour is brought up with finely ground blue black or wood charcoal. This fraud may be detected by its inferior sp. gr., and by a portion being left undissolved when a little of the ointment is treated first with ether or oil of turpentine, to remove the fat, and then with dilute nitric acid, to remove the mercury. When made according to the instructions of the Ph., its sp. gr. is not less than 1·781 at 60° Fahr. It “is not well prepared so long as metallic globules may be seen in it with a magnifier of 4 powers.” (Ph. E.) When rubbed on a piece of bright copper or gold, it should immediately give it a coating of metallic mercury, and a silvery appearance.

The Ung. hyd. fort. of the wholesale houses is generally made of mercury, 12 lbs., suet, 1⁄2 lb., and lard, 16⁄2 lbs. It thus contains only ⁄3 instead of ⁄2 its weight of mercury. That of the same houses labelled ‘Ung. hyd. partes æquales’ is prepared with mercury, 12 lbs.; suet, 1⁄2 lb.; lard, 13⁄2 lbs.

Uses. This ointment is chiefly used to introduce mercury into the system when the stomach is too irritable to bear it; in syphilis, hepatic affections, hydrocephalus, &c. For this purpose, ⁄2 to 1 dr. is commonly rubbed into the inside of one of the thighs until every particle of the ointment disappears. This operation is repeated night and morning until the desired effect is produced, and should be, if possible, performed by the patient himself. During its administration the patient should avoid exposure to cold, and the use of fermented or acidulous liquors, and his diet should consist chiefly of toast, broth, gruel, milk-and-water, and other inoffensive matters. This ointment has been employed to prevent the ‘pitting’ in smallpox; and, diluted with 3 or 4 times its weight of lard, in several skin diseases, as a dressing for ulcers, to destroy pediculi, &c. Camphor is often added to this ointment to increase its activity. With the addition of a little extract of belladonna, or hydrochlorate of ammonia, it forms an excellent anodyne and resolvent friction in painful syphilitic tumours and glandular enlargements.

Obs. The preparation of mercurial ointment according to the common plan is a process of much labour and difficulty, and usually occupies several days. The instructions in the Pharmacopœias are very meagre and unsatisfactory, and, so far as details go, are seldom precisely carried out. Employers grumble, and operatives become impatient, when they find the most assiduous trituration apparently fails to hasten the extinction of the globules. To facilitate matters, various tricks are resorted to, and various contraband additions are often clandestinely made. Among the articles referred to, sulphur and turpentine are those which have been longest known, and, perhaps, most frequently employed for the purpose; but the first spoils the colour, and the other the consistence, of the ointment; whilst both impart to it more or less of their peculiar and respective odours. On the Continent, oil of eggs was formerly very generally used for the purpose, and is even now occasionally so employed. Nearly half a century ago Mr W. Cooley clearly showed that the difficulty might be satisfactorily overcome by simply triturating the quicksilver with ⁄8 to ⁄4 of its weight of old mercurial ointment, before adding the lard; and that the effective power of this substance was in direct proportion to its age, or the length of time it had been exposed to the air. His plan was to employ the ‘bottom’ and ‘scraping’ of the store pots for the purpose. At a later period (1814-15) Mr Higginbottom, of Northampton, repeated this recommendation, and at length the plan has been imported into the Pharmacopœia Borussica. About twenty years since, “we reopened an investigation of the subject, which extended over several months, during which we satisfied ourselves of the accuracy of the assertion of M. Roux, that the mercury in mercurial ointment exists entirely, or nearly so, in the metallic state, and not in the form of oxide, as was generally assumed. We succeeded in preparing an excellent sample of mercurial ointment by agitating washed suet and quicksilver together in vacuo. The quantity of oxide present at any time in this ointment is variable and accidental, and is largest in that which has been long prepared; but in no case is it sufficient to materially discolour the fat after the metallic mercury is separated from it. We were led to conclude that the property alluded to, possessed by old ointment, depends solely on the peculiar degree of consistence or viscidity of the fat present in it, and on the loss of much of the thoroughly greasy, ‘anti-attritive’ character, possessed by the latter in a recent state. In practically working out this idea we obtained pure fats (MAGNETIC ADEPS; SEVUM PRÆPARATUM), which, without any addition, were capable of reducing, in a few minutes, 8, 16, 32, and even 48 times their weight of mercury. We also found that the formula of the Pharmacopœia might be adopted, and that a perfect ointment might be readily obtained by skilful management in from half an hour to an hour, even without these resources. All that was necessary was to employ a very gentle degree of heat by either performing the operation in a warm apartment or by allowing the mortar to remain filled with warm water for a short time before using it. Suet or lard, reduced either by gentle warmth or by the addition of a little almond oil to the consistence of a thick cream, so that it will hang to the pestle without running from it, will readily extinguish 7 or 8 times its weight of running mercury by simple trituration. The exact temperature must, however, be hit upon, or the operation fails. This fact was afterwards noticed in the ‘Ann. de Chim.,’ and some other journals.” (A. J. Cooley.)

M. Pomonti has proposed a method of preparing strong mercurial ointment, which, modified to suit the English operator, is as follows:—Fresh lard, 8 parts; solution of nitre (see below), 1 part; mix by trituration, add of mercury, 32 parts, and again triturate. The globules disappear after a few turns of the pestle, but reappear in a few minutes, and then again disappear to return no more. When this happens, the trituration is to be continued for a few minutes longer, when lard, 24 parts, is to be rubbed in, and the ointment at once put into pots. It is said that the globules are so completely extinguished as to escape detection, even when the ointment is examined by a microscope of low power. The Solution.—Nitre, 100 gr.; water, 1 fl. oz.; dissolve. This quantity is sufficient for a kilogramme of mercury.

M. Lahens strongly recommends for the rapid preparation of mercurial ointment the application of oil of almonds in the following proportions:—Mercury, 1000 parts; oil of almonds, 20 parts; lard, 980 parts. The mercury is first triturated with the oil for about fifteen minutes, after which its globules are said to be no longer discernible by the naked eye; 200 parts of the melted lard are now added, and the trituration continued to the complete extinction of the metal, which is generally accomplished within an hour. The ointment is then mixed with the remainder of the lard. See Ointment of Oxide of Mercury.

Ointment, Mercurial (Milder). Milder blue ointment, Trooper’s o., Unction; Unguentum hydrargyri mitius, U. cæruleum mitius. Prep. 1. Stronger mercurial ointment, 1 lb.; lard, 2 lbs.

Dose, &c. In the itch and several other cutaneous diseases, as a dressing to syphilitic ulcers, to destroy pediculi on the body, &c. Each drachm contains 10 gr. of mercury. That of the shops generally contains considerably less.

2. (With SOAP; Unguentum hydrargyri saponaceum; Savon mercuriel).—a. (Draper.) Mercurial ointment (softened by a gentle heat), 1 oz.; hydrate of potassa, 1 dr., dissolved in water, ⁄2 fl. oz.; triturate them together until the mass solidifies.

b. (Swediaur.) Milder mercurial ointment, 8 parts; soft soap, 2 parts; camphor, 1 part. In periostitis, engorgements of the testicles, soft corns, &c. See Ointment of Nitrate of Mercury, &c.

Ointment, Mercurial (Compound). (B. P.) Mercurial ointment, 6; yellow wax, 3; olive oil, 3; camphor, 1⁄2. Melt the wax and oil, and when the mixture is nearly cold, add the camphor in powder and the mercurial ointment, and mix.

Ointment, Mercurial, with Hydrochlorate of Ammonia. (Dupuytren.) Syn. Unguentum hydrargyri cum ammoniæ muriate. Prep. Stronger mercurial ointment, 2 oz.; hydrochlorate of ammonia, 1 dr.

Ointment, Mercurial, with Soda. (F. H.) Syn. Unguentum hydrargyri cum soda, Savon mercuriel. Prep. Mercurial ointment, 3⁄2 oz.; solution of soda, 3 oz.; triturate until they combine.

Ointment of Mercury, Oleate of. (U. C. Hosp.) Syn. Linimentum hydrargyri oleatis, Unguentum hydrargyri oleatis. (10 per cent.) Prep. Yellow peroxide of mercury, 1 dr.; pure oleic acid, 10 dr. To the oleic acid kept agitated in a mortar, sprinkle in the peroxide gradually, and triturate frequently during 24 hours, until the peroxide is dissolved, and a gelatinous solution is formed, 20 per cent. as above, using double the quantity of yellow oxide. To be applied with a brush, or spread lightly over the part with the finger. In persistent inflammation of the joints, Professor Marshall adds to ʒj of the above preparation, 1 gr. of morphia—the pure alkaloid—not one of its salts, which are insoluble in oleic acid.

In the preparation of ointment of oleate of mercury it is of the utmost importance that the mercuric oxide should be thoroughly dry, and further that it should be sifted in small portions at a time upon the surface of the oleic acid, each fresh portion being well incorporated before another is added. Solution should be promoted by frequent stirring, at ordinary temperatures, since experience has shown that all heating is positively injurious.

Ointment of Mercury, Yellow Oxide of. (U. S. Ph.) Syn. Unguentum hydrargyri, Oxydi flavi. Prep. Yellow oxide of mercury, 1 dr.; simple ointment, 420 gr.

Ointment of Meze′reon. Syn. Unguentum mezerei, L. Prep. 1. (Hamb. Cod.) Alcoholic extract of mezereon, 2 dr.; dissolve in rectified spirit, q. s.; add it to white wax, 1 oz.; lard, 8 oz., and mix by a gentle heat.

2. (P. Cod.) Mezereon (dried root-bark), 4 oz.; moisten it with rectified spirit, bruise it well, and digest it for 12 hours, at the heat of boiling water, in lard, 14⁄2 oz.; then strain with pressure, and allow it to cool slowly; lastly, separate it from the dregs, remelt it, and add of white wax, 1⁄2 oz. Used as a stimulating application to blistered surfaces and indolent ulcers.

3. (P. Cod.) Ethereal extract of mezereon, 176 gr.; lard, 9 oz.; white wax, 1 oz.; rectified spirit, 1 oz.; dissolve the extract in the alcohol, add the lard and wax, heat moderately, stir until the spirit is driven off, strain and stir till cold.

Ointment of Monesia. Syn. Unguentum monesiæ. Prep. Oil of almonds, 4 parts; white wax, 2 parts; extract of monesia, 1 part; water, 1 part.

Ointment of Mustard. Syn. Unguentum sinapis, L. Prep. 1. Flour of mustard, ⁄4 oz.; water, 1 fl. oz.; mix, and add, of resin cerate, 2 oz; oil of turpentine, ⁄2 oz. Rubefacient and stimulant. As a friction in rheumatism, &c.

2. (Frank.) Flour of mustard, 3 oz.; oil of almonds, ⁄2 fl. oz.; lemon juice, q. s. In sunburn, freckles, &c.

Ointment of Naph′thalin. Syn. Unguentum naphthalinæ, L. Prep. (Emery.) Naphthalin, ⁄2 dr.; lard, 7⁄2 dr. In dry tetters, lepra, psoriasis, &c.

Ointment, Neapolitan. See Ointment, Mercurial.

Ointment, Nervine. Syn. Balsamum nervinum, Unguentum n., L.; Baume nerval, Fr. Prep. (P. Cod.) Expressed oil of mace and ox marrow, of each 4 oz.; melt by a gentle heat, and add, of oil of rosemary, 2 dr.; oil of cloves, 1 dr.; camphor, 1 dr.; balsam of tolu, 2 dr.; (the last two dissolved in) rectified spirit, 4 dr. In rheumatism, &c. A somewhat similar preparation was included in the Ph. E. 1744.

Ointment, Narcotic and Balsamic (G. Ph.). Syn. Unguentum narcotico-balsamicum hellmundi. Prep. Acetate of lead, 10 drams; extract of hemlock, 30 drams; wax ointment, 33 oz.; balsam of Peru, 30 drams; wine of opium, 5 drams.

Ointment, Neu′tral. See Ointment of Lead (Compound).

Ointment of Ni′trate of Mercury. Syn. Citrine ointment, Yellow o., Mercurial balsam; Unguentum hydrargyri nitratis (B. P., Ph. L. & D.), U. h. n., or U. citrinum (Ph. E.), L. Prep. 1. (Ph. L.) Mercury, 2 oz.; nitric acid (sp. gr. 1·42), 4 fl. oz.; dissolve and mix the solution, whilst still hot, with lard, 1 lb., and olive oil, 8 fl. oz., melted together. (For the MILDER OINTMENT, see below.)

2. (Ph. E.) Mercury, 4 oz.; nitric acid (sp. gr. 1·500), 8 fl. oz. 6 fl. dr.; dissolve by a gentle heat, add the liquid to lard, 15 oz,; olive oil, 32 fl. oz.; melted together, and whilst the whole are still hot, and mix them thoroughly. “If the mixture does not froth up, increase the heat a little until this takes place. Keep the ointment in earthenware vessels, or glass vessels, secluded from the air.” This admirable formula is a modification of that originally introduced into Pharmacy by the late Dr Duncan, of Edinburgh. (For the milder ointment, see below.)

3. (Ph. D.) Mercury 1 oz.; nitric acid, (1·500), 1 fl. oz.; (diluted with) water, ⁄2 fl. oz.; dissolve by a gentle heat, and add the liquid to lard, 4 oz.; olive oil, 8 fl. oz.; melted together, and still hot; next “let the temperature of the mixture be raised so as to cause effervescence, and then, withdrawing the heat, stir the mixture with a porcelain spoon until it concretes on cooling.”

4. (P. Cod.) Mercury, 3 parts; nitric acid (1·321), 6 parts; lard and oil, of each 24 parts; as above.

5. (Ph. U. S.) Mercury, 1 oz.; nitric acid (1·42), 14 fl. oz.; lard, 3 oz.; fresh neat’s-foot oil, 9 fl. oz.; mix the mercurial solution with the melted fat and oil at 200° Fahr.

6. (B. P.) Mercury, 4; nitric acid, 12; prepared lard, 15; olive oil, 32; dissolve the mercury in the nitric acid with the aid of a gentle heat; melt the lard in the oil by a steam or water bath in a porcelain vessel capable of holding six times the quantity, and while the mixture is hot add the solution of mercury, also hot, and mix them together thoroughly. If the mixture does not froth up, increase the heat till this occurs. (The heat required for this is from 170° to 180° Fahr.)

Uses, &c. Detergent and stimulant. In ringworm, herpes, itch, porrigo, psoriasis, and some other chronic skin diseases; in various chronic affections of the eyes, especially chronic inflammation and ulceration of the eyelids, ‘blear eye,’ &c. It “may almost be regarded as specific in psorophthalmia, in the purulent ophthalmia of infants producing ectropium (eversion of the eyelids), and in ulcerations of the tarsi (edges of the eyelids).” (A. T. Thomson.) As a dressing to old ulcers, more especially those of a syphilitic character, it is superior to all the other ointments containing mercury; in sore legs, assisted by the internal use of the pill of soap with opium (PIL SAPONIS CUM OPIO), it often acts like a charm when all other modes of treatment have failed. For most of these purposes it should be diluted with from twice to seven times its weight of some simple fatty matter. One of the principal reasons why this ointment is in less general use than its merits deserve, is the very inferior quality of that vended in the shops under the name, arising from almost every druggist preparing some mess of his own, instead of adhering to the College formulæ.

Obs. Ointment of nitrate of mercury, faithfully prepared according to the instructions in the Pharmacopœia, possesses a rich golden-yellow colour, and a buttery consistence, and keeps well. Unfortunately, clumsy and careless operators, who regard the Pharmacopœia as a foolish book, which it is quite unnecessary to look into, often fail in their attempts to produce an article of good quality. The difficulty is immediately surmounted by employing pure ingredients, in the proportions ordered, and mixing them at the proper temperature. The acid should be of the full strength, or, if somewhat weaker than that directed, an equivalent quantity should be employed. A slight excess of acid is not injurious, rather the contrary; but a deficiency of acid, in all cases, more or less damages the quality of the product. If, on stirring the mercurial solution with the melted lard and oil, the mixture does not froth up, the heat should be increased a little, as, unless a violent frothing and reaction take place, the ointment will not turn out of good quality, and will rapidly harden and lose its colour. The most favorable temperature for the union of the ingredients is from 185° to 200° Fahr., and in no case should it exceed 212°; whilst below 180° Fahr., the reactions are feeble and imperfect.

Stoneware or glass vessels must alone be employed in the preparation of this ointment, and the stirrers or spatulas should be either of glass or white deal. The best plan is to keep the whole exclusively for the purpose, and when out of use to preserve them from dust and dirt. (See below.)

Ointment of Ni′trate of Mercury. (Milder.) Syn. Milder citrine ointment; Unguentum hydrargyri nitratis mitius (Ph. L.), U. h. n. m., Or U. citrinum m. (Ph. E.), L. Prep. 1. (Ph. L.) Ointment of nitrate of mercury, 1 oz.; lard, 7 oz.; rub them together. “This ointment is to be used recently prepared.”

2. (Ph. E.) As the stronger ointment, Ph. E., but using a triple proportion of oil and lard. Uses, &c. See the STRONGER OINTMENT (above).

Ointment of Ni′trate of Sil′ver. Syn. Unguentum argenti nitratis, L. Prep. 1. (M. Jobert.) Nitrate of silver, 2, 4, or 6 parts; lard, 20 parts. These ointments are respectively numbered 1, 2, and 3, and are used in white-swelling.

2. (Macdonald.) Nitrate of silver, 1 part; lard, 7 to 8 parts. To smear bougies, in gonorrhœa, &c.

3. (Mackenzie.) Nitrate of silver, 5 gr.; lard, 1 oz. In purulent and chronic ophthalmia, ulcers on the cornea, &c.

4. (Velpeau.) Nitrate of silver, 1 gr.; lard, 1 dr. In acute ophthalmia, &c. The above compounds require to be used with caution.

Ointment of Ni′tric Acid. Syn. Oxygenised fat†; Unguentum oxygenatum, U. a. nitrici, L.; Pommade d’alyon, Fr. Prep. (Ph. D. 1826.) Olive oil, 1 lb.; lard, 4 oz.; melt them together, add, gradually, of nitric acid (sp. gr. 1·500), 5⁄2 fl. dr., and stir the mixture constantly with a glass rod until it concretes.

Uses, &c. In itch, porrigo, and some other chronic skin diseases; and as a dressing for syphilitic and herpetic ulcers, old sores, &c. It is frequently employed as a substitute for the ointment of nitrate of mercury, which it somewhat resembles in appearance; but it is less active and useful.

Ointment of Ni′tric Ox′ide of Mer′cury. Syn. Ointment of red oxide of mercury (B. P.), Red precipitate ointment; Unguentum hydrargyri nitrico-oxydi (Ph. L.), U. h. oxydi (Ph. E.), U. h. o. rubri (B. P., Ph. D.), L. Prep. 1. (Ph. L.) White wax, 2 oz.; lard, 6 oz.; mix, by heat, add of nitric oxide of mercury, in very fine powder, 1 oz., and rub them together.

2. (Ph. E.) Nitric oxide of mercury, 1 oz.; lard, 8 oz.; mix by trituration.

3. (Ph. D.) Red oxide of mercury (nitric oxide), 1 dr.; ointment of white wax, 7 dr.; as the last.

4. (B. P.) Red oxide of mercury, in very fine powder, 62 gr.; yellow wax, ⁄4 oz.; oil of almonds, ⁄4 oz.; melt the wax, add the oil, and mix.

Uses, &c. An excellent stimulant application to indolent and foul sores, ulcers, &c.; and, when diluted, as an eye ointment in chronic inflammation and ulceration of the eyes and eyelids, and especially in psorophthalmia; also in specks on the cornea, and the other affections noticed under Ointment of Nitrate of Mercury. It forms the basis of numerous quack medicines. See also Ointment of Oxide of Mercury (below).

Ointment, Obstet′ric. Syn. Unguentum obstetricum, L.; Pommade obstetricale, Fr. Prep. 1. (Chaussier.) Extract of belladonna, 1 dr.; water, 2 dr.; lard, 1 oz. To promote the dilatation of the os uteri.

2. (Pommade pour le toucher.) From yellow wax and spermaceti, of each 1 oz.; olive oil, 16 oz.; melt them together, strain, add of solution of caustic soda, 1 fl. oz., and stir until the whole is nearly cold.

Ointment of O′pium. Syn. Unguentum opiatum, U. opii (Ph. L.), L. Prep. 1. (Ph. L.) Powdered opium, 20 gr.; lard, 1 oz.; mix by trituration. As a simple anodyne friction or dressing.

2. (Augustin.) Opium, 2 dr.; ox-gall, 2 oz.; digest 2 days, strain, and add, of melted lard, 2 oz.; oil of bergamot, 10 drops.

3. (Brera.) Opium, 1 dr.; gastric juice of a calf, ⁄2 oz.; digest 24 hours, and add of melted lard, 1 oz.

Ointment of Oxide of Lead. See Ointment, Lead.

Ointment of Oxide of Man′′ganese. Syn. Unguentum manganesii oxydi, U. m. binoxydi, L. Prep. 1. Black oxide of manganese (levigated), 1 dr.; lard, 1 oz.; mix by patient trituration. As a friction in scrofulous swellings and indurations; and in itch, scald-head, chilblains, &c.

2. (W. Cooley.) Binoxide of manganese, 1 dr.; sulphur, 2 dr.; lard, 9 dr.; cajeput oil, 15 drops. As the last; also as a friction in rheumatism, swelled joints, &c., and in porrigo, and some other skin diseases.

Ointment of Oxide of Mer′cury. Under this name the two ointments noticed below are often confounded, owing to the different opinions held respecting the atomic weight of mercury:—

1. Ointment of Grey Oxide of Mer′cury. Syn. Ointment of suboxide of mercury, O. of protoxide of m.†; Unguentum hydrargyri oxydi, U. h. suboxydi, U. h. o. cinerei, L. Prep. 1. (Ph. E. 1817.) Grey oxide of mercury, 1 oz.; lard, 3 oz.; triturate together. Formerly proposed as a substitute for mercurial ointment, but in practice it has been found useless as a friction, owing to the unctuous matter only being absorbed, whilst the oxide is left on the surface. This objection does not apply to the following preparations:—

2. (Donovan.) Grey oxide of mercury, 20 gr.; lard, 1 oz.; mix, and expose them to the temperature of 320° Fahr. for 2 hours, constantly stirring. Grey coloured. It may also be made from the nitric- or red-oxide in the same way, by keeping the ointment heated to about 300° for some hours. Cleaner and stronger than Ung. hyd. fort.—Ph. L.

3. (Tyson.) Black oxide of mercury (prepared by decomposing precipitated calomel with liquors of potassa and ammonia), 2 oz.; lard, 1 lb.; triturate together. Inferior in activity to the last. It closely resembles in appearance a fine sample of mercurial ointment.

2. Ointment of Red Oxide of Mercury. Syn. Unguentum hydrargyri binoxidi†, U. h. oxydi rubri, L. Prep. (Cazenave.) Red oxide of mercury, 30 gr.; camphor, 5 gr.; lard, 1 oz. Closely resembles ointment of nitric oxide of mercury, over which it, perhaps, possesses some advantage from the oxide being in a more minutely divided state.

Ointment of Oxide of Sil′ver. Unguentum argenti oxydi, L. Prep. (Serre.) OXIDE OF SILVER, 16 to 20 gr.; lard, 1 oz. As a dressing for scrofulous and syphilitic sores, &c.

Ointment of Oxide of Zinc. Syn. Zinc ointment; NIHIL ALBUM OINTMENT†; Unguentum zinci (B. P., Ph. L., E., & D.), U. oxydi zinci, L. Prep. 1. (Ph. L.) Oxide of zinc, 1 oz.; lard, 6 oz.; mix them together.

2. (Ph. E.) Oxide of zinc, 1 oz.; simple liniment (Ph. E.), 6 oz.

3. (Ph. D.) Ointment of white wax, 12 oz.; melt it by a gentle heat, add of oxide of zinc, 2 oz.; and stir constantly until the mixture concretes.

4. (B. P.) Oxide of zinc, in very fine powder, 1; benzoated lard, 5⁄2; mix.

Uses, &c. Astringent, desiccative, and stimulant; in excoriations, burns, various skin diseases attended by profuse discharges, in chronic inflammation of the eyes depending on relaxation of the vessels, in sore nipples, indolent sores, ringworm of the scalp, &c. It is an excellent and very useful preparation. See Ointment, Tutty (below).

Ointment of Pep′per. Syn. Unguentum piperis nigri, L. Prep. 1. Black pepper (bruised), 1 oz.; lard, 2 oz.; suet, 1 oz.; digest together in a covered vessel, by the heat of a water bath, for six hours, then strain, with pressure, add of expressed oil of mace, 2 dr., and stir until the mixture concretes. In piles, itch, as a friction in rheumatism, &c.

2. (Ph. D. 1826.) Black pepper (in fine powder), 4 oz.; lard, 1 lb.; mix. In scald-head, &c.

Ointment of Phosphor′ic Acid. Syn. Unguentum acidi phosphorici, L. Prep. (Soubeiran.) Phosphoric acid, 1 dr.; lard (softened by heat), 1 oz; triturate carefully together. As a friction in caries, osseous tumours, &c.

Ointment of Phos′phorus. Syn. Unguentum phosphori, U. phosphoratum, L. Prep. (P. Cod.) Phosphorus, 1 dr.; lard, 6 oz. 3 dr.; melt together (in a wide-mouthed bottle) by the heat of a water bath, remove the vessel from the heat, and shake it briskly until the ointment concretes. As a friction in gout, chronic rheumatism, and several skin diseases.

Ointment of Picrotox′in. Syn. Unguentum picrotoxinæ, L. Prep. (Jäjer.) Picrotoxin, 10 gr.; lard, 1 oz. In ringworm of the scalp, and to destroy pediculi. It should be used with care.

Ointment for Piles. Syn. Unguentum hæmorrhoidale, U. anti-hæmorrhoidale, L. Prep. 1. Burnt alum and oxide of zinc, of each ⁄2 dr.; lard, 7 dr.

2. (Bories.) Acetate of lead, 15 gr.; freshly burnt cork, ⁄2 oz.; washed fresh butter, 2 oz.; triturate well together.

3. (W. Cooley.) Morphia, 8 gr.; melted spermaceti ointment, 1 oz.; triturate together until solution is complete, then add, of galls (in impalpable powder), 1⁄2 dr., essential oil of almonds (genuine crude), 12 to 15 drops, and stir until the mass concretes. In painful piles, prolapsus, &c. It is not only very effective, but does not soil the linen so much as most other ointments.

4. (Dr Gedding.) Carbonate of lead, 4 dr.; sulphate of morphia, 15 gr.; stramonium ointment, 1 oz.; olive oil, q. s. When there is much pain and inflammation.

5. (Sir H. Halford.) Ointment of nitrate of mercury and oil of almonds, equal parts, triturated together.

6. (Mazzini.) Nitrate of morphia, 15 gr.; citrine ointment, 1 dr.; fresh butter, 1 oz. As the last.

7. (Vallez.) Extract of elder leaves, ⁄2 dr.; burnt alum, 16 gr.; poplar ointment, 1 oz. For other formulæ, see the respective names of their leading ingredients.

8. (Ware.) Camphor, 1 dr.; simple ointment, 1 oz.; dissolve by heat, add of powdered galls, 2 dr.; mix well, further add of tincture of opium, 2 fl. dr., and stir until the whole is cold. In flabby mucous and painful piles.

9. (Zanin.) Spermaceti ointment, 1 oz.; powdered galls, 1 dr.; powdered opium, 18 gr.; solution of diacetate of lead, 1 fl. dr. When there is both pain and inflammation.

10. (From New Remedies.) Yellow wax, 8 parts; resin, 4 parts; lard, 12 parts; oil of sassafras, 2 parts. Melt the wax, resin, and lard, remove from the fire, add the oil of sassafras, and stir until the mass is solid. This is said to be a most excellent application for painful or itching piles.

Ointment of Pitch. Syn. Black basilicon, Ointment of black pitch; Ung. picis (B. P., Ph. L.), U. picis nigræ, L. Prep. 1. (Ph. L.) Black pitch, resin, and beeswax, of each 11 oz.; olive oil, 1 pint; melt together, strain through a linen cloth (and stir until the mass concretes).

2. (B. P.) Tar, 5; yellow wax, 2; melt together, and stir till cold.

Uses, &c. Stimulant and detergent; very useful in indolent ulcerations, scald-head, and various foul eruptions. In itch and psoriasis, and other scaly skin diseases, a little sulphur is commonly added to it.

Ointment of Plat′inum. Syn. Unguentum plantini, L. Prep. (Hœfer.) Bichloride of platinum, 15 gr.; extract of belladonna, ⁄2 dr.; lard, 1 oz. As a dressing for painful indolent ulcers.

Ointment of Plumbago. Syn. Ointment of graphite; Unguentum graphitis, U. plumbaginis, L. Prep. From pure plumbago (‘black-lead’), 1⁄2 dr.; lard, 1 oz. As a dressing to ulcers, and in certain skin diseases.

Ointment, Plunket’s. Prep. (Original formula.) Crowsfoot, 1 handful; dog’s fennel, 3 sprigs; pound well, add of flowers of sulphur and white arsenic, of each 3 thimblefuls; beat them well together, form the mass into boluses, and dry them in the sun. For use, powder them; and mix the powder with yolk of egg, spread a little on a small piece of pig’s bladder (size of half a crown), and apply it to the sore, where it must remain until it falls off by itself. Poisonous; in cancer; with great caution.

Ointment, Poma′tum. See Ointment, Lard.

Ointment of Pop′lar Buds. Syn. Unguentum populeum, L. Prep. 1. Fresh poplar buds (bruised), 1 part; lard, 4 parts; boil until crisp, and strain. It never gets rancid. Emollient and stimulant.

2. (Compound—P. Cod.) Poplar buds, 12 oz.; fresh leaves of belladonna, common nightshade (Solanum nigrum), henbane, and poppies, of each 8 oz.; lard, 4⁄2 lbs.; as the last. Emollient, stimulant, and anodyne.

Ointment of Potas′sio-tar′trate of An′timony. Syn. Antimonial ointment, Tartar emetic o.; Unguentum antimonii tartarati (B. P.), Unguentum antimonii potassio-tartatris (Ph. L.), U. a. tartarizati (Ph. D.), U. antimoniale (Ph. E.), U. tartari emetici, L. Prep. 1. (Ph. L. & E.) Potassic tartrate of antimony, rubbed to a very fine powder, 1 oz.; lard, 4 oz.; mix by trituration.

2. (Ph. D.) Tartar emetic, in very fine powder, 1 dr.; ointment of white wax, 7 dr.

3. (B. P.) Tartrated antimony (in fine powder), 1; simple ointment, 4. Mix.

Uses, &c. Counter-irritant; in phthisis, chronic rheumatism, certain liver affections, and other deep-seated pains and diseases. A portion about the size of a nut is rubbed on the skin night and morning, until a crop of pustules is produced. The part should be well rubbed with a coarse towel, so as to be reddened, before applying the ointment. The product of the Dublin formula is of only half the strength of those of the other Colleges.

Obs. Before adding the tartar emetic to the lard it should be reduced to the state of an impalpable powder. The precipitated salt is the best for this purpose. As the pustules formed by this ointment permanently mark the skin, it should only be applied to those parts of the person which are covered by the dress.

Ointment, Pur′gative. See Ointment of colocynth, Worm o., &c.

Ointment of Quinine′. Syn. Unguentum quiniæ, U. quiniæ sulphatis, L. Prep. 1. Sulphate of quinine, 1 dr.; lard, 3 dr. In the agues of children.

2. (Beasley ex Antonini.) Sulphate of quinine, 1 dr.; alcohol (rectified spirit), 2 dr.; sulphuric acid, 10 drops; dissolve, and mix it with lard, ⁄2 oz. In malignant intermittents; 2 to 4 dr. at a time, rubbed into the groin or axilla.

Ointment of Red Sul′phuret of Mer′cury. Syn. Unguentum hydrargyri bisulphureti, U. h. sulphureti rubri, L. Prep. 1. (Alibert.) Red sulphuret of mercury, 1 dr.; camphor, 20 gr.; simple ointment, 1 oz. In herpes, applied twice a day.

2. (Collier.) Bisulphuret of mercury, 1⁄2 dr.; sal ammoniac, ⁄2 dr.; lard, 1 oz.; rose water, 1 fl. dr. In several skin diseases, to diminish the itching, destroy pediculi, &c.

3. (Radius.) As the last, with 1 oz. more lard.

Ointment of Res′in. Syn. Yellow basilicon; Unguentum resinæ (Ph. D.), U. resinosum (Ph. E.), L. Prep. 1. (Ph. D.) Yellow wax, ⁄4 lb.; yellow resin, in coarse powder, ⁄2 lb.; prepared lard, 1 lb.; melt them together by a gentle heat, strain the mixture, whilst hot, through flannel, and stir it constantly until it concretes.

2. (Ph. E.) Beeswax, 2 oz.; resin, 5 oz.; lard, 8 oz.

Obs. A useful stimulant dressing to foul and indolent ulcers. For the corresponding preparation of the Ph. L., see Cerate, Resin.

Ointment, Resol′vent. See Ointment, Discutient.

Ointment of Rhatany (Trousseau). Syn. Unguentum rhattiniæ. Prep. Extract of rhatany, 1⁄2 dr.; cacao butter, 5 dr. Mix.

Ointment, Ring′worm. Unguentum contra-tineam, L. Prep. 1. Carbonate of soda, 1 part; fresh-slaked lime, 4 parts; lard, 120 parts.

2. Ointment of nitrate of mercury, 1 dr.; tar ointment and lard, of each ⁄2 oz.

3. (Henke.) Hydrochloric acid, 1 fl. dr.; juniper-tar ointment, ⁄2 oz.; marshmallow do., 1 oz.

4. (Pereira.) Tar, 3 dr.; lard, 1⁄2 oz.; melt them together, and stir in of acetic acid (Ph. L.), 2 fl. dr.

5. (Thompson.) Carbonate of soda and sulphuret of potassium, of each 1 dr.; creasote, ⁄2 dr.; lard, 1⁄4 oz.

Obs. The hair must be cut off close, and the part washed clean before each application. For other forms, see above.

Ointment of Rose. Syn. Rose pommade, Rose lip-salve; Unguentum rosæ, U. rosatum, L. Prep. 1. (P. Cod.) Washed lard (melted), and roses (centif.), of each 2 lbs.; mix, and in 2 days remelt the mass, and press out the fat; to this last add of fresh roses, 2 lbs., and repeat the process; lastly, colour it with alkanet root if required red.

2. (Ung. aquæ rosæ—Ph. U. S.) This is spermaceti ointment melted and beaten up with about ⁄3rds of its weight of rose water until they congeal. Both the above are simple emollients. The last is an officinal ‘cold cream.’

Ointment of Rosemary (Compound). (Ph. G.) Syn. Unguentum rosmarini compositum. Prep. Lard, 16 oz.; suet, 8 oz.; yellow wax, 2 oz.; oil of mace, 2 oz.; liquefy in a vapour bath, and when nearly cold, add oil of rosemary and oil of juniper, of each 1 oz., by weight.

Ointment of Rue (Span. Hosp.) Syn. Unguentum rutæ. Prep. Fresh rue, 2 oz.; wormwood, 2 oz.; nitre, 2 oz.; lard, 16 oz.; boil till the moisture is expelled.

Ointment, Rust’s. Prep. Calcined alum, 1⁄2 dr.; camphor, ⁄2 dr.; powdered opium, 20 gr. balsam of Peru, 1 dr.; lead ointment, 5 dr.; triturate together. In chilblains, frostbites, frosted limbs, &c.

Ointment of Sabadil′line. Syn. Unguentum sabadillinæ, L. Prep. (Dr Turnbull.) Sabadilline, 15 to 20 gr.; lard, 1 oz. Intended as a substitute for ointment of veratrine.

Ointment of Sav′ine. Syn. Unguentum sabinæ (B. P., Ph. L. & D.), Ceratum sabinæ, L. Prep. (Ph. L.) White wax, 3 oz.; lard, 1 lb.; melt them together, mix in of fresh savine (bruised), ⁄2 lb., and press through a linen cloth.

2. (Ph. D.) Savine tops, dried and in fine powder, 1 dr.; ointment of white wax, 7 dr.; mix by trituration. For the formula of the Ph. E., the uses, &c., see Cerate.

Ointment of Scrophula′′ria. Syn. Unguentum scrophulariæ, L. Prep. (Ph. D. 1826.) Green leaves of knotted rooted figwort and lard, of each 2 lbs.; prepared suet, 1 lb.; boil till crisp, and strain with pressure. In ringworm, ‘burnt holes’ (pemphigus gangrenosus of children), impetigo, and some other cutaneous diseases; also as an application to piles, painful swellings, &c. In the second it is said to be almost specific.

Ointment, Simple. Syn. Ointment of white wax, Simple dressing; Unguentum simplex (B. P., Ph. E.), U. ceræ albæ (Ph. D.), L. Prep. 1. (Ph. E.) Olive oil, 5⁄2 fl. oz.; white wax, 2 oz.; melted together, and stirred whilst cooling.

2. (Ph. D.) Prepared lard, 4 lbs.; white wax, 1 lb.; as the last.

3. (B. P.) White wax, 2; prepared lard, 3; almond oil, 8; melt together, and stir till it becomes solid.

Obs. The above are mild emollients, useful in healthy ulcers, excoriations, &c.; but chiefly as forming the basis for other ointments. The corresponding preparation of the Ph. L. is spermaceti ointment. See below, also Ointment, Lard, &c.

Ointment, Singleton’s. See Ointments, Eye.

Ointment, Smallpox. Syn. Unguentum ectroticum, L. Prep. 1. Mercurial ointment, 1⁄2 oz.; beeswax and black pitch, of each ⁄2 oz.; expressed oil of mace, 2 dr.; mixed together by a very gentle heat.

2. (Briquet.) Mercurial ointment, 4 parts; powdered starch, 1 part.

3. (Tourriere.) Iodide of potassium (dry and in fine powder), 1 part; expressed oil of mace, 2 parts; black resin, 4 parts; mercurial ointment, 8 parts. Used to prevent the ‘pitting of the pustules.’ See Smallpox.

Ointment, Smellome’s. See Ointments, Eye.

Ointment of Soap. 1. See Cerate.

2. (Camphorated; Unguentum saponis camphoratum—Hamb. Cod.) White soap (scraped), 1 lb.; water, ⁄2 lb.; dissolve by heat; add of olive oil, 5 oz.; and when the mixture has partly cooled, further add of camphor, 1 oz., previously dissolved by heat in olive oil, 1 oz.; lastly, stir until the mass concretes. As an anodyne and stimulating friction in various local affections, as chaps, chilblains, rheumatism, &c.

Ointment of So′dio-Chlo′′ride of Gold. Syn. Unguentum auri sodio-chloridi, L.; Pommade de muriate d’or et de soude, Fr. Prep. (Magendie.) Sodio-chloride of gold, 10 gr.; lard, 4 dr. In scrofulous and syphilitic swellings, indurations, ulcers, &c.

Ointment of Spermace′ti. Syn. Emollient dressing, Simple ointment, White o.; Unguentum cetacei (B. P., Ph. L. & D.), U. spermatis ceti, L. Prep. 1. (Ph. L.) Spermaceti, 5 oz.; white wax, 14 dr.; olive oil, 1 pint, or q. s.; melt them together by a gentle heat, and stir the mixture until cold.

2. (Ph. D.) White wax, ⁄2 lb.; spermaceti, 1 lb.; prepared lard, 3 lbs.; as the last.

3. (B. P.) Spermaceti, 5; white wax, 2; almond oil, 20, or a sufficiency; stir constantly, until it cools.

Uses, &c. As an emollient and healing application or dressing to abrasions, excoriations, blistered surfaces, healthy ulcers, chilblains, chaps, &c. In trade, the Dublin formula, with double the amount of lard, is commonly employed. See Ointment, Lard, Simple o., &c.

Ointment of Squills. Syn. Unguentum scillæ, L. Prep. 1. (Brera.) Squills (in very fine powder), 1 dr.; mercurial ointment, 2 dr.

2. (Hufeland.) Squills, 1 oz.; liquor of potassia, 2 fl. oz.; reduce to a mucilage by boiling, then add of lard, 2 oz., or q. s. As a resolvent friction to indolent tumours and indurations.

Ointment of Stavesa′cre. Syn. Unguentum staphisagriæ, L. Prep. (Swediaur.) Powdered stavesacre, 1 oz.; lard, 3 oz.; melt together, digest 3 or 4 hours, and strain. A very cleanly remedy for itch, and to destroy pediculi on the person. A similar ointment is much used by farriers.

Ointment of Stramo′′nium. Syn. Unguentum stramonii, L. Prep. 1. Fresh thorn-apple leaves, 1 part; lard, 4 parts; as ointment of hemlock.

2. (Pereira.) Powdered leaves, 1 oz,; lard, 4 oz.; mix by trituration.

3. (Ph. U. S.) Extract of stramonium, 1 dr.; lard, 1 oz.; as the last.

Uses, &c. To dress irritable ulcers, and as an application to painful piles.

Ointment of Strych′nine. Syn. Unguentum strychniæ, L. Prep. 1. (Bouchardat.) Strychnine, 16 gr.; lard, 1 oz.; carefully triturated together.

2. (Wendt.) Nitrate of strychnine, 6 dr.; lard, 1 oz.; as last. Both are used as a friction in paralysed parts, &c. From the extremely poisonous character of strychnine it should be used with caution.

Ointment of Subac′etate of Cop′per. See Ointment of Verdigris.

Ointment of Subacetate of Lead (Compound). Syn. Unguentum plumbi subacetatis compositum (B. P.). Prep. Solution of subacetate of lead, 6; camphor ⁄8; white wax, 8; almond oil, 20; melt the wax with 16 of the oil on a steam or water bath; remove the vessel, and as soon as the mixture begins to thicken, gradually add the solution of subacetate of lead, and stir the mixture constantly until it cools; then add the camphor, dissolve in the rest of the oil, and mix thoroughly.

Ointment of Subchloride of Mercury. See Ointment of Calomel.

Ointment of Subsul′phate of Mercury†. Syn. Unguentum hydrargyri subsulphatus, L. Prep. 1. (Alibert.) Turpeth mineral, ⁄2 dr.; lard, 1 oz.

2. (Biett.) Turpeth mineral, 1 dr.; sulphur, 2 dr.; lard, 2 oz.; oil of lemons, 15 drops. In herpes, porrigo, and the scaly diseases.

Ointment of Sulphate of I′ron. Syn. Unguentum ferri sulphatis, L. Prep. (Velpeau.) Sulphate of iron, 1⁄2 dr.; simple ointment, 1 oz. In erysipelas.

Ointment of Sulphate of Man′′ganese. Syn. Unguentum manganesi sulphatis, L. Prep. From sulphate of manganese, 1 fl. dr.; lard or simple ointment, 1 oz. Alterative and discutient; in similar cases to those in which MECURIAL OINTMENT is employed.

Ointment of Sulphate of Zinc. Syn. Unguentum zinci sulphatis, L. Prep. (Scarpa.) Sulphate of zinc (in very fine powder), 1 dr.; lard, 1 oz. In some chronic skin diseases attended with a lax state of the tissues, and as a dressing to scrofulous tumours after they have separated and the abscess has been discharged.

Ointment of Sulphur. Syn. Unguentum sulphuris (B. P., Ph. L., E., & D.) Prep. 1. (Ph. L.) Sulphur, ⁄2 lb.; lard, 1 lb. In the Ph. L. 1836 oil of bergamot, 40 drops, were added. (See 5, Compound.)

2. (Ph. E.) Sulphur, 1 oz.; lard, 4 oz.

3. (Ph. D.) Sulphur, 1 lb.; lard, 4 lbs.

4. (B. P.) Sublimed sulphur, 1; benzoated lard, 4; mix.

Uses, &c. In itch, scald-head, &c., in the first of which it is specific. It should be well rubbed in every night until the disease is cured; “but not more than one fourth part of the body should be covered with it at a time.” (A. T. Thomson.)

5. (Compound; Itch ointment; Unguentum sulphuris compositum—Ph. L.)—a. (Ph. L.) Nitrate of potassa (powdered), 40 gr.; white hellebore (powdered), 10 dr.; sulphur and soft soap, of each 4 oz.; lard, 1 lb.; rub them together.

b. (P. Cod.) Alum and sal ammoniac, of each, ⁄2 oz.; sulphur, 8 oz.; lard, 16 oz.

Uses, &c. In itch, as the simple ointment (1, 2, and 3.) They are more efficacious, but, owing to the presence of white hellebore, the Ph. L. preparation is apt to cause irritation in persons with delicate skins. See Ointment, Itch.

Ointment of Sulphuret of Mercury. See Ointment of Red Sulphuret of Mercury.

Ointment of Sulphurated Potash. Syn. Unguentum potassæ sulphurate (B. P.) Sulphurated potash, 30 gr.; triturate, and add prepared lard, 1 oz.; mix. See also next preparation.

Ointment of Sulphuret of Potas′sium. Syn. Unguentum potassi sulphureti, L. Prep. 1. Sulphuret of potassium (dry and in fine powder), 1 dr.; lard, 9 dr. Alibert adds 1 dr. of carbonate of soda.

2. Sulphuret of potassium, 2⁄2 dr.; lard and soft soap, of each 1 oz.; olive oil, ⁄2 oz. In several chronic skin diseases, as itch, psoriasis, ringworm, lepra, eczema, &c.

Ointment of Sulphuret of So′dium. Syn. Unguentum sodii sulphureti, L. Prep. (Swediaur.) Sulphuret of sodium, 3 dr.; lard, 1⁄2 oz. In itch, for which it is very cleanly and effective. The last two ointments are most powerful when recently prepared.

Ointment of Sulphuric Ac′id. Syn. Unguentum acidi sulphurici, L. Prep. 1. (Dr Duncan.) Sulphuric acid, 1 dr.; lard, 2 oz.

2. (Ph. D. 1826.) Sulphuric acid, 1 dr.; lard, 1 oz.; mix.

Uses, &c. Black, fetid; in itch. It is now seldom used. With oil of turpentine it has been used as a stimulating liniment in rheumatism. An ointment made of 1⁄2 dr. of dilute sulphuric acid to 1 oz. of lard is a good application in prurigo.

Ointment, Sulta′na. Spermaceti and white wax, of each ⁄4 oz.; oil of almonds and butter of cacao, of each ⁄4 lb.; melt together, add of balsam of Peru, 1 dr., stir constantly for a few minutes, and after it has settled pour off the clear portion; to this add of orange-flower water, 2 fl. dr., and stir the mixture constantly until it concretes. A very agreeable species of cold cream.

Ointment of Tan′nate of Lead. Syn. Unguentum plumbi tannatis, L. Prep. 1. Tannate of lead, 1⁄2 dr.; powdered camphor, 20 gr.; spermaceti ointment, 7 dr. In inflamed piles, &c.

2. (Sundelin.) Decoction of oak bark, 6 fl. oz.; solution of diacetate of lead, 1⁄2 oz.; mix, collect and drain the precipitate, and mix it, whilst still moist, with lard, 1 oz.; camphor, 10 gr. In bedsores.

Ointment of Tan′nin. Syn. Unguentum tannini, U. acidi tannici, L. Prep. (Richard.) Tannin, 2 dr.; water, 2 fl. dr.; triturate them together, then add of lard, 1⁄2 oz. Astringent and hæmostatic. In piles, prolapsus, &c. It is a very cleanly and effective application.

Ointment of Tar. Syn. Unguentum picis liquidæ (Ph. L. E. & D.), L. Prep. 1. (Ph. L.) Tar and suet, of each 1 lb.; melt them together, and press the mixture through a linen cloth.

2. (Ph. E.) Tar, 5 oz.; beeswax, 2 oz.; melt together, and stir the mixture briskly until it concretes.

3. (Ph. D.) Tar, ⁄2 pint; yellow wax, 4 oz.; as the last.

Uses, &c. As a detergent application in ringworm, scald-head, scabby eruptions, foul ulcers, &c. It should be, in general, at first diluted with half of its weight of lard or oil. See also Ointment of Pitch.

Ointment of Tartar Emet′ic. See Ointment of Potassio-tartrate of Antimony.

Ointment of Tin, Chloride (Nanche). Syn. Unguentum stanni chloridi. Prep. Perchloride of tin, 1⁄2 grain; lard, 1 oz. Mix.

Ointment of Tin, Oxide (Bate). Syn. Unguentum stanni oxidi. Oxide of tin rubbed with oil of St John’s wort was formerly applied for the cure of blindness; with Localette’s balsam and honey, for the cure of indolent ulcers.

Ointment of Tobac′co. Syn. Unguentum tabaci, L. Prep. 1. (Chippendale.) Extract of tobacco, 1 dr.; lard, 1 oz. As a friction in neuralgia.

2. (Ph. U. S.) Fresh tobacco leaves, 1 oz.; lard, 12 oz.; as ointment of hemlock. As an anodyne application in irritable ulcers, ringworm, prurigo, and some other skin diseases.

Ointment, Tripharm′ic. Syn. Ointment of three things; Unguentum tripharmacum, L. Prep. From lead plaster, 4 oz.; olive oil, 2 fl. oz.; distilled vinegar, 1 fl. oz.; melt together, and stir until they combine, and a proper consistence is obtained. Cooling and desiccative; formerly greatly esteemed as a dressing.

Ointment, Trooper’s. See Ointment, Mercurial.

Ointment of Turpentine. Syn. Unguentum terebinthinæ (B. P.) Prep. 1. (Guy’s Hosp.) Camphor, 1 dr.; oil of turpentine, 1 to 2 fl. dr.; dissolve, and add of resin of cerate, 1 oz. As a stimulant and anodyne friction in nephritic and rheumatic pains, engorgements, &c.

2. (Ph. Austr.) Turpentine, 2 lbs.; simple ointment, 1 lb.; mix by a gentle heat. As a stimulant dressing.

3. (B. P.) Oil of turpentine, 16; camphor, 1; soft soap, 2; dissolve the camphor in the turpentine, add the soap, and rub till thoroughly mixed.

Ointment of Tut′ty. Syn. Unguentum zinci oxydi impuri, U. tutiæ, L. Prep. From prepared tutty, 1 part; simple ointment, 5 parts; mix by trituration. Formerly in great repute in ophthalmic practice, more particularly in inflammation, &c., of the eyelids. See Ointment of Oxide of Zinc.

Ointment of Vera′trine. Syn. Unguentum veratriæ (B. P.); Pommade de veratrine; Fr. Prep. 1. (Magendie.) Veratrine, 4 gr.; lard, 1 oz.; mixed by careful trituration.

2. (Pereira.) Veratrine, 30 gr.; lard, 1 oz.

3. (Turnbull.) Veratrine, 10 to 20 gr.; olive oil, 1 dr.; triturate, and add of spermaceti ointment, 1 oz.

4. Veratria, 8 gr.; prepared lard, 1 oz.; olive oil, ⁄2 dr.; rub the veratria and the oil together, then mix thoroughly with the lard.

Uses, &c. As a friction in neuralgia, neuralgic rheumatism, gout, dropsy, &c. A piece about the size of a hazel nut is to be rubbed for 10 or 15 minutes over the seat of pain, twice a day. It must not be applied where the skin is unsound, nor to a large surface at a time, and the greatest caution must be used, on account of the extremely poisonous character of veratrine.

Ointment of Ver′digris. Syn. Ointment of subacetate of copper; Unguentum æruginis (Ph. E.), U. cupri subacetatis (Ph. D.). L. Prep. 1. (Ph. E.) Resinous ointment, 15 oz.; melt by a gentle heat, sprinkle into it of verdigris (in very fine powder), 1 oz., and stir the mixture briskly until it concretes.

2. (Ph. D.) Prepared subacetate of copper, ⁄2 dr.; ointment of white wax, 7⁄2 dr.; mix by trituration.

Uses, &c. Detergent and escharotic; as an occasional dressing to foul and flabby ulcers, to keep down fungous-flesh, and, diluted with oil or lard, in scrofulous ulceration and inflammation of the eyelids.

Ointment of Vin′egar. Syn. Acetic ointment; Unguentum aceti, U. acidi acetici, L. Prep. 1. (Dr Cheston.) Olive oil, 1 lb.; white wax, 4 oz.; melt them together by a gentle heat, add of strong vinegar, 2 fl. oz., and stir until the mixture concretes. As a cooling astringent dressing, and as an application in chronic ophthalmia.

2. (W. Cooley.) Acetate of morphia, 6 gr.; acetic acid (Ph. L.) and water, of each 1⁄2 fl. dr.; dissolve, add the solution to simple ointment (melted), 1⁄2 oz., and stir the mixture briskly until nearly cold. In chronic ophthalmia, painful inflamed piles, &c.; also to remove freckles, and to allay itching and irritation in several skin diseases.

Ointment of Walnut Leaves (Negrier). Syn. Unguentum juglandis. Prep. Extract of walnut leaves, 3 drams; lard, 4 drams; oil of bergamot, 1 drop. Mix.

Ointment, White. Both SPERMACETI OINTMENT and OINTMENT OF CARBONATE OF LEAD were formerly so called, but the name is now obsolete. The CAMPHORATED WHITE OINTMENT of the Ph. L. of 1746 (UNG. ALBUM CAMPHORATUM) was spermaceti ointment to which a little camphor had been added.

Ointment of White Precipitate. Syn. Ointment of ammoniated mercury; Unguentum hydrargyri ammoniati. (B. P.) Ammoniated mercury, 62 gr.; simple ointment, 1 oz. Mix. See Ointment of Ammonio-chloride of Mercury.

Ointment of White Wax. See Ointment, Simple.

Ointment of Wolfsbane. See Ointment of Aconite.

Ointment of Wood Soot. Syn. Unguentum fuliginis. Prep. Wood soot and lard, of each equal parts. Mix.

Ointment of Wood Soot (Compound). Syn. Unguentum fuliginis compositum. Acetic extract of wood soot, 4 dr.; dried salt, 10 dr.; lard, 14 oz. For ringworm.

Ointment for Worms. Syn. Unguentum anthelminticum, U. vermifugum, L. Prep. 1. (Boerhaave.) Aloes and ox-gall, of each 1 part; marshmallow ointment, 8 parts.

2. (Fr. Hosp.) Aloes and oil of tansy, of each 1 part; dried ox-gall, 2 parts (both in fine powder); lard, 8 parts.

3. (Ph. Bat.) Aloes, 1 dr.; dried ox-gall and petroleum, of each 1⁄2 dr.; lard, 1⁄2 oz.

4. (Soubeiran.) Powdered aloes, 2 dr.; lard, 1 oz.

Uses, &c. The above are purgative and vermifuge, applied as frictions to the abdomen. They are chiefly employed for children and delicate females. See Ointment, Colocynth.

Ointment of Yel′low Wax. Syn. Unguentum ceræ flavæ, L. Prep. (Ph. D. 1826.) Beeswax, 1 lb.; lard, 4 lbs.; melt them together. A mild emollient dressing. Some parties regard it as more ‘healing’ than the OINTMENT OF WHITE WAX.

Ointment of Zinc. 1. See Ointment of Oxide of Zinc.

2. (Compound); Unguentum zinci compositum, L.—a. (Hufeland.) Oxide of zinc and lycopodium, of each 1 dr.; simple ointment, 1 oz. In excoriations and simple ulcerations, especially those of the eyelids, nipples, &c.

b. (Thomson.) Oxide of zinc, ⁄2 dr.; powdered opium, 5 gr.; lard, 1 oz. As the last, when there is much pain.

Ointment of Zinc, Cyanide (Cunier). Syn. Unguentum zinci cyanidi. Prep. Cyanide of zinc, 12 grains; lard, 5 drams; butter of cacao, 5 drams. Mix.

OINTMENTS (Flower of). Syn. Flos Unguentorum, L. Prep. From resin, thus, wax, and suet, of each ⁄2 lb.; olibanum and Venice turpentine, of each 2⁄2 oz.; myrrh, 1 oz.; wine, ⁄2 pint; boil them together, and, lastly, add of camphor, 2 dr. Suppurative; warming.

O′LEFIANT GAS. C3H4. Syn. Ethylene, Heavy carbonetted hydrogen, Heavy carburetted h., Elayl, Ethene. A substance discovered by some associated Dutch chemists, in 1795, and composed of carbon and hydrogen in the proportions expressed by C2H2 or C4H4.

Prep. 1. A mixture of alcohol (rectified spirit), 1 part, and oil of vitriol, 6 parts, is heated in a retort until it blackens, and sulphurous acid begins to be evolved; the product is then passed first through a wash-bottle containing a solution of caustic potassa or milk of lime, and next through a bottle containing concentrated sulphuric acid, the last being furnished with a tube dipping into the water of the pneumatic trough.

2. The vapour of boiling alcohol is passed into a mixture of oil of vitriol diluted with rather less than one half its weight of water, and so heated as to be in a state of tranquil ebullition (320° to 330° Fahr.); the gaseous product is chiefly olefiant gas, and the vapour of water, from which it may be separated as above. No sulphurous acid is formed, nor does the acid blacken as in the last process.

Prop., &c. Colourless; neutral; nearly odourless; nearly insoluble in water; alcohol, ether, and the volatile and fixed oils, absorb a portion of it; burns with a brilliant white flame; at a full red heat it suffers decomposition, with deposit of carbon and liberation of light carburetted hydrogen gas; mixed with twice its volume of chlorine and inflamed, hydrochloric acid is formed, and the carbon of the gas is precipitated in the form of dense black soot; if the mixture (best in equal volumes), instead of being kindled, be left standing over water, it soon condenses into a heavy oily liquid (chloride of olefiant gas, Dutch liquid). Sp. gr. ·981; 100 cubic inches weigh 30·57 gr.

Olefiant Gas, Bromide of. Syn. Bromide of ethylene. From bromine and olefiant gas as Dutch liquid. A colourless liquid, with an ethereal odour, boiling at 265°, and solidifying at 0° Fahr. Sp. gr. 2·16.

Olefiant Gas, Chlo′′ride of. Syn. Dutch liquid, Chloride of ethylene. This substance, referred to above, may be easily prepared in any quantity by the following process:—Chlorine and olefiant gas (the latter a little in excess) are conveyed by separate tubes (passing through the same cork) into a glass globe, having a narrow funnel-shaped neck at its lower part, dipping into a small bottle destined to receive the product of their mutual reaction: the newly formed liquid trickles down the sides of the globe into the receiver, and when a sufficient quantity is collected, it is purified by agitating it first with water, and then with sulphuric acid, and, lastly, submitting it to distillation.

Prop., &c. Colourless; sweet-tasted; agreeably fragrant, the odour approaching that of oil of caraway; slightly soluble in water; freely so in alcohol and ether; it sinks in water; boils at 180° Fahr.; burns with a smoky greenish flame; is unaffected by oil of vitriol; but decomposed by solution of caustic potassa. It combines with chlorine, forming new compounds. See Chlorides of Carbon (page 403).

OLEIC ACID. HC18H33O2. Syn. Elaic acid. One of the fatty acids discovered by Chevreul, and produced by saponifying oils, and then separating the base from the resulting soap by means of a dilute acid. It now forms an important secondary product in the manufacture of stearic acid. Perfectly pure oleic acid may be obtained as follows:—

1. By saponifying olein, as just noticed.

2. Pure almond or olive-oil soap is decomposed by a dilute acid, and the resulting oily acid is digested in a water bath with half its weight of litharge (in very fine powder) for some hours, constantly stirring; the mixture is then agitated with twice its volume of ether in a close vessel, and in 24 hours the clear ethereal solution is decanted, and decomposed with dilute hydrochloric acid; the oleic acid separates, and the ether mixed with it is expelled by evaporation. To render it colourless, the acid is again saponified with caustic soda, and the soap thus retained is repeatedly dissolved in a solution of soda, and as often separated by adding common salt; this soap is, lastly, decomposed by dilute hydrochloric acid, as before.

3. (H. N. Fraser, pharmacist.) Oil of cotton seeds (‘winter oil’), deprived of most of its stearin by chilling and pressure, is first saponified with potassa, using a slight excess of the base. The soap is then treated with tartaric acid, or any other acid which will make a soluble salt with potassa, until the base is completely neutralised; the residue is washed until a mass is left about the consistence and colour of cerate, free from any of the salt; this is heated for several hours with nearly its weight of litharge, and three or four times its bulk of water; the resulting compound is shaken up while yet warm with ether, and allowed to stand until all the soluble matter separates.

This separates the stearate, and leaves a nearly pure oleate of lead. The clear liquor is decanted and briskly shaken with dilute muriatic acid for a few minutes to precipitate all the chloride of lead, the lighter liquid washed to remove traces of muriatic acid and filtered; the filtrate heated slowly in a water bath, and the ether distilled until the residue ceases to have an ethereal odour. The product is about 60 per cent. of the bulk of the oil.

Crude oleic acid may be purified as follows:—Expose it repeatedly to a temperature of about 45° F., and express the liquid portion. With this mix an equal bulk of solution of sulphurous acid, place the mixture in the light, and shake it frequently until no more colour is discharged. After separation the oleic acid is to be washed repeatedly with cold distilled water, and put into bottles, which should be kept filled up and in a cool place.

Prop., &c. A colourless oily acid, insoluble in water, soluble in alcohol, ether, and oil; with the bases it forms salts called oleates. The best kind of oleic acid is known as “pale cloth oil.”

O’LEIN. C57H104O6. Syn. Elain; Huile absolue, Fr. The liquid portion of the fixed oils and fats. By saponification it yields oleic acid.

Prep. 1. Olive oil or almond oil is digested for 24 hours with a quantity of caustic soda lye, only sufficient to saponify one half of the oil, and the undecomposed oily portion (olein) is then separated from the alkaline solution and newly formed stearine soap.

2. The saponified mixture of oil and alkali (see No. 1) is digested with proof spirit until all the soap is dissolved out, and the olein separates and floats on the surface; the latter, after repose, is decanted.

3. Almond or olive oil is agitated in a stout bottle with 7 or 8 times its weight of strong alcohol (sp. gr. ·798), at nearly the boiling point, until the whole is dissolved; the solution is next allowed to cool, after which the clear upper stratum is decanted from the stearin which has been deposited, and, after filtration, the spirit is removed by distillation at a gentle heat; by exposure at a very low temperature it deposits any remaining stearin, and then becomes pure.

Prop., &c. The products of the last two formulæ have only a very slight yellow colour, but may be rendered quite limpid and colourless by digestion for 24 hours with a little pure, freshly burnt animal charcoal, and subsequent filtration. In this state the olein is perfectly neutral to test paper, does not in the slightest degree affect metallic bodies immersed in it, and does not thicken by exposure to the greatest cold. Olein is used by watchmakers for their fine work. Some years ago the product of the last formula was sold, by a certain metropolitan house, as ‘watchmakers’ oil,’ at 1s. 6d. a drachm. Commercial olein is generally lard oil. The refined oleic acid of the stearin works also commonly passes under the name. Olein burns well in lamps; but oleic acid does not do so unless when well refined, and when the wick-tube is so formed as to remain cool. See Lard oil and Oleic acid.

OLEOM’ETER. Syn. Elaïometer, Elæometer, Oil-balance. A delicate areometer or hydrometer, so weighted and graduated as to adapt itself to the densities of the leading fixed oils. As the differences of the specific gravities of these substances are inconsiderable, to render it more susceptible the bulb of the instrument is proportionately large, and the tube or stem very narrow. The scale of the oleometer in general use (Gobby’s) is divided into 50 degrees, and it floats at 0 or zero in pure poppy oil, at 38 or 38⁄2 in pure almond oil, and at 50 in pure olive oil. The standard temperature of the instruments made in this country is now 60°; those made on the Continent, 54·5° Fahr. The oil must therefore be brought to this normal temperature before testing it, by plunging the glass cylinder containing it into either hot or cold water, as the case may be; or a correction of the observed density must be made. The last is done by deducting 2 from the indication of the instrument for each degree of the thermometer above the normal temperature of the instrument, and adding 2 for every degree below it. Thus: suppose the temperature of the oil at the time of the experiment is 60° Fahr., and the oleometer indicates 61°; then—

60·0° Actual temperature.

54·5° Normal temperature.

5·5° Difference.

Indication of the oleometer 61·0

The difference 5·5 × 2 = 11·0

Real density 50·0

Suppose the temperature observed at the time of the experiment is 52°, and the oleometer indicates 45°; then—

54·5 Normal temperature.

52·0 Actual temperature.

2·5 Difference.

Indication of the oleometer 45·0

The difference 2·5 × 2 = 5·0

Real density 50·0

The oil is, therefore, presumed to be pure. See Hydrometer, Oils (Fixed), and Specific Gravity.

O′LEO-PHOSPHOR′IC ACID. An acid compound found by Fremy in the brain and nervous matter.

OLEO-RES′INS. The natural compounds of resin and essential oil forming the vegetable balsams and turpentines. Copaiba, Canada balsam, and Venice turpentine are examples. Certain extracts prepared with ether, as the fluid extracts of cubebs and pepper in the Ph. U. S., may be regarded as oleo-resins. See Extract.

OLEO-SAC′CHARUM. Syn. Elæosaccharum. Sugar aromatised or medicated by being rubbed up with an essential oil. The oleosacchara of aniseed, caraway, cinnamon, peppermint, pennyroyal, and the other like essential oils, are made by rubbing 15 to 20 drops of the respective oils with white sugar, 1 oz.—The Ph. Græca 1837 prescribes 1 part of oil to 20 parts of sugar.—The Ph. Austr. 1836 and Ph. Bor. order the same proportions, or 3 drops of oil to the dr., and 24 drops to the oz., of powdered sugar. When intended for making extemporaneous distilled waters, 1 dr. of magnesia is a common addition. The oleosacchara of citrons, lemons, oranges, &c., are made from the peels, as follows:—After cleaning off any specks in the outer rind of the fruit, rub a large piece of loaf sugar on it until the yellow rind is completely removed. Those parts of the sugar which are impregnated with the essence are, from time to time, to be cut away with a knife, and put into an earthen pot. The whole being thus taken off, the sugared essence (oleosaccharum) is to be closely pressed down in the pot, tied over with bladder, and preserved in a cool place for use.

OLIB′ANUM. Syn. Oliban, Indian olibanum, Frankincense. A gum resin obtained from Boswellia thurifera or serrata. It is stimulant, astringent, and diaphoretic. It is burnt as incense in the temples of India and in Roman Catholic churches. African or Arabian olibanum is produced by Boswellia floribunda. (Royle.) This substance must not be confounded with the resin noticed at page 761.

Olibanum. This gum resin is yielded by two varieties of the plant known as Boswellia—one the B. floribunda, being a native of Africa, the other, the B. serrata, growing in Asia. Olibanum occurs in the form of fragments, which are sometimes pale yellow, and at others of a reddish colour; these fragments have a splintery fracture, a mealy surface, a faintly balsamic odour and a bitter taste. “It consists of about 4 or 5 per cent. of a volatile oil, 56 per cent. of a resinous acid, 30 to 36 per cent. of gum, and 6 per cent. of bassorin.” Incense, of which olibanum forms one of the ingredients, owes much of its pleasant balsamic odour when burning to its presence. It is also used in pharmacy.

OL′IVE. Syn. Olea, Oliva, L. The Olea Europæa (Linn.), a native of the South of Europe. The unripe fruit is preserved in brine (Spanish olives, French olives); the ripe fruit furnishes olive oil; the bark is bitter, astringent, and febrifuge, and has been used as a substitute for cinchona bark; it yields a gum-like substance (OLIVE GUM), which was formerly reported vulnerary, and contains olivine. The olive tree has in all ages been held in peculiar estimation as the bounteous gift of Heaven to man. Some authors have styled it “a mine on earth.” It is remarkable for yielding a fixed oil from the pericarp instead of from the seed.

OLLIVIER’S BISCUITS. See Patent medicines.

OLIVINE. Syn. Chrysolite. A crystallised double silicate of magnesia and iron, found in basaltic and volcanic rocks, and very frequently in masses of meteoric iron. It is sometimes yellow in colour, but mostly green.

Olivine. (Dr Landerer.) Syn. Olivina. Prep. Treat olive leaves with acidulated water, concentrate, precipitate with ammonia, re-dissolve the washed precipitate in a diluted acid, purify with animal charcoal, filter, and reprecipitate with ammonia.

OM′ELET. Syn. Omelette, Fr. A variety of pancake or fritter made of eggs and other ingredients. Omelets may contain bacon, ham, herbs, fish, shell-fish, cold meat, cold game, fruit, or anything else at hand at the pleasure of the cook. ‘Spirit omelets’ are made by pouring a little brandy, rum, or whisky over them on serving them up, and setting it on fire for a moment just before placing the dish on the table. “Where is the man or woman cook but says they know how to make an omelette, and that to perfection? But this is rarely the case. It is related of Sarah, the Duchess of Marlborough, that no one could cook a ‘fraise,’ as it was then called, for the great duke but herself. The great point is, if in an iron pan, it should be very clean and free from damp which sometimes comes out of the iron when placed on the fire. The best plan is to put it on the fire, with a little fat, and let it get quite hot, or until the fat burns; remove it, and wipe it clean with a dry cloth, and then you will be able to make the omelette to perfection.” (Soyer.)

The following formula for a plain omelet is by the above culinary authority:—“Break four eggs into a basin, add ⁄2 teaspoonful of salt, and ⁄4 do. of pepper, and beat them up well with a fork; put into the frying-pan 1⁄2 oz. of butter, lard, or oil, place it on the fire, and, when hot, pour in the eggs, and keep on mixing them quickly with a spoon until they are delicately set; then let them slip to the edge of the pan, laying hold by the handle, and raising it slantways, which will give an elongated form to the omelette; turn in the edges, let it rest a moment to set, turn it over on to a dish, and serve.” “It ought to be of a rich-yellow colour, done to a nicety, and as light and delicate as possible.” “2 table-spoonfuls of milk and 1 oz. of the crum of bread, cut into thin slices, may be added.”

Mixed and FANCY OMELETS are made by simply dropping the ingredients, cut into dice or fragments, into the above. Anchovy, OYSTER, and SHRIMP OMELETS are generally prepared by placing a few spoonfuls of the respective sauces in the centre of each when nearly dressed,

ONGUENT (de la Mère). A stimulant and digestive ointment, very popular in French pharmacy.

Prep. (P. Cod.) Black pitch, 1 part; butter, lard, litharge, suet and yellow wax, 4 parts; olive oil, 8 parts.

ON′ION. Syn. Cepa, L. The bulb of Allium cepa. The onion is diuretic, expectorant, rubefacient, and stimulant. The juice, made into a syrup with sugar (SYRUPUS CEPÆ), has been given in chronic catarrh, diarrhœa, croup, dropsy, and calculus. Roasted and split open, onions have been applied as poultices to suppurating tumours, and applied to the pubes to relieve suppression of urine in children. According to Dr Cullen, “onions are acrid and stimulating, and possess little nutrient power. In bilious constitutions they generally produce flatulence, thirst, headache, and febrile symptoms; but where the temperament is phlegmatic they are of infinite service, by stimulating the system, and promoting the excretions, particularly expectoration and urine.” They also possess antiscorbutic and soporific properties.

Onions, To Chop. “Few persons know how to chop onions properly. In the first place all the dry skin must be removed, then a thin slice off the top and bottom, or they will be bitter, then cut them into thin slices, dividing the onion, and cut crossways to form dice. If a very slight flavour is required and the onion is strong, like in the North of England, for it must be remembered that the further north you go the stronger the flavour of the root, and if French receipt books are exactly copied, it is no wonder complaints are made of the preponderance of the flavour of the onion; in which case, when chopped, put them in the corner of a napkin or cloth, wash them in water, squeeze them dry, then put them back on the board, and chop finer, or sometimes only rubbing the pan or the meat with the onion is quite sufficient.” (Soyer.)

O′NYX. A sub-species of quartz often wrought into small ornamental articles. Among jewellers, any stone exhibiting layers of two or more colours, strongly contrasted, is called an ‘onyx.’ A regularly and richly banded agate of this class is much prized for cameos. The Sardonyx of the ancients is a variety of onyx. It is so called from Sard or Sarda, a rich dark-red variety of carnelian, stripes of which in the stone alternate with white stripes. See Gems.

O′PAL. A mineral allied to agate and chalcedony, but distinguished by its peculiar resinous lustre. The variety most admired as a gem is the precious or noble opal, which is remarkable for its beautiful play of colours. The finest opals come from Hungary, and although usually very small, will, if of good quality, realise as much as £5 each. Their value increases in a much greater ratio than their increase in size. They are also found in Saxony and in North America. The largest known specimen of an opal is that in the Imperial Cabinet at Vienna, the dimensions of which are five inches by two and a half. Girasol, Cacholong, Hyalite, and Menilite are varieties of opal. See Gems and Pastes.

O′OLITE. A variety of limestone composed of a number of collections of small round particles, bound together by a calcareous cement. The resemblance the mass is supposed to bear to the roe of a fish has caused oolite to be called roestone. When the grains are of larger dimensions it is called peastone. The little spherical bodies of which the stone is composed are mostly formed of concentric layers of carbonate of lime arranged round a grain of sand, a fragment of shell or some other nucleus.

The building stones of Caen, Portland, and Bath are all oolitic limestones. When first quarried they are mostly soft, a circumstance which admits of their being easily sawn and carved. They harden by exposure to the air.

In geology the term “oolite” has a wider signification, and is applied to an important division of the middle secondary rocks of England, underlying the chalk formation and rich in the interesting fossil remains.

OPHTHAL′MIA. Syn. Ophthalmitis, L. Inflammation of the eye. In ordinary cases this disease is confined to the external membrane of the globe of the eye or to the eyelids; but it occasionally attacks the sclerotica, cornea, choroid coat, and retina.

The common causes of ordinary or conjunctival ophthalmia are the sudden exposure of the organ to a cold easterly wind, to dust, gritty particles, or to any external irritation or injury.

The symptoms are, in part, those common to local inflammation. The eye or eyelids become more or less bloodshot, swollen, and tender, and a sensation resembling that induced by the presence of particles of sand or some gritty substance, accompanied by much heat and a pricking pain, is almost constantly experienced. The secretion becomes yellowish and glutinous, and during the night frequently glues, as it were, the lids together. Sometimes only one eye is attacked, but after two or three days the disease extends to the other.

The treatment of mild cases of conjunctival ophthalmia is extremely simple. In general, it may be relieved by fomentations of warm water or decoction of poppy-heads and the use of aperient medicines, to which leeches and cupping may often be added with advantage.

“To apply a lotion to the eyes,” writes Dr Gardner, “the best way is to use a large camel’s-hair pencil or brush. Fill it with the lotion, draw down the lower lid, and apply the brush; the fluid will now come out of it into the eye.

“In order to get it well within the upper lid, move the latter up and down, and the whole surface will be wetted. This is important, because the usual way of applying lotions to the inside of the eye is very inefficient, if not entirely useless. The brush should be washed in warm water after using it.”

In cases where the inflammation is very severe, the pain very acute, or the vision in the slightest degree impaired, as well as in those accompanied by a discharge of matter or pus, no time should be lost in seeking the services of the oculist.

Animals.—All animals are liable to attacks of catarrhal or common ophthalmia, which may originate from various causes, such as exposure to cold, influenza, or the presence of foreign substances, such as bits of chaff, the husks of oat, small seeds, &c.

In horses, in addition to the above, it may be caused by a blow from the whip. In animals affected by it the eye becomes watery and half closed, the membrane looks thickened, and the eye is frequently bloodshot. If due to the presence of any foreign body this must be removed, either by means of the fingers, a handkerchief, or a camel’s-hair brush, or, if necessary, by the forceps.

The treatment consists in bathing the eyes with tepid milk and water, after which an alum or zinc lotion may be applied. A mild physic ball should also be administered.

Ophthalmia, Purulent. This dreadful disease, which, like the above, is a form of inflammation of the mucous membrane of the eye, differs from ordinary ophthalmia in being accompanied with a discharge of pus, too frequently terminating in total and irrecoverable blindness of one or both eyes, and in being very contagious.

Purulent ophthalmia is very prevalent in India, Persia, and Egypt, and from the circumstance that large numbers of our troops were affected with it on their return from the campaign in Egypt, in the beginning of the present century, before which time it was unknown in England, it acquired the name of “Egyptian ophthalmia.”

Although of late years its ravages amongst the soldiers of our own as well as of other European nations have considerably abated, the disease is still more or less prevalent in the British, French, Prussian, Austrian, Bavarian, Italian, Spanish, Belgian, Swedish, and Russian armies. Purulent ophthalmia is also by no means uncommon amongst the non-military population, such as the poorer classes and their children, and the children in workhouses, asylums, and pauper schools. Dr Parkes says it has evidently been propagated amongst the civil inhabitants by the soldiery.

The following narrative of an outbreak of purulent ophthalmia that occurred on board a vessel freighted with slaves for the West Indies forcibly illustrates the character and infectious nature of this disease.

In the year 1819 the “Le Roideur,” a French vessel, sailed with a cargo of 160 negroes from Bonny, on the coast of Africa, to Guadaloupe. The “Le Roideur’s” crew consisted of 22 men, so that the number of human beings on board, including officers, was 182. No epidemic had been observed amongst the natives from whom the slaves had been taken, and further, at the time of sailing the crew were in perfect health, and the slaves were said to be free from disease of any kind.

The wretched Africans were closely packed in the hold of the vessel, the air of which, as may be imagined, soon became frightfully foul; and after about the thirtieth or fortieth day, the drinking water running scarce, their daily allowance was reduced from 8 oz. to half a wineglassful. Then it was that ophthalmia first showed itself amongst the wretched occupants of the hold, the lids of their eyes becoming red and inflamed. The surgeon of the vessel advised that they should breathe in succession the purer air of the deck. But this course had to be relinquished, since it was found that many of the negroes on leaving the hold jumped over the side of the vessel, and purposely drowned themselves. The disease, which was of a most virulent kind, spread rapidly amongst the negroes, and from these to the crew.

A notable fact demonstrating the propagation of purulent ophthalmia by material particles was the circumstance that the first amongst the crew who was seized was a sailor who guarded the hatch communicating with the hold. The day after another of the crew was attacked, and in three days after this the disease had assailed the captain, and almost the whole of the crew. The disease continued to spread daily, until at last there remained one only of the whole crew unaffected and with sight intact, and to him was deputed the important task of steering the vessel. Great fear was manifested lest he too might eventually be overtaken with the total or partial blindness that had come to the remainder of the crew.

The “Le Roideur” reached Guadaloupe on the 21st of June, when it was found that thirty more of the negroes had entirely lost their sight (thirty-six of whom had been thrown into the sea, since they were unsaleable), twelve had lost the sight of an eye, and fourteen were more or less blind.

Of the crew, twelve including the surgeon were entirely blind, five were blind of one eye, and four partially so.

Three days after the arrival of the vessel in port the steerer of the vessel was seized with the disease.

About thirty years ago a curious discovery in connection with purulent ophthalmia was made by Dr Loffler, a Prussian army surgeon. Many of the soldiers of his regiment being disabled by this disease, he submitted the eyes of all the men to a rigorous daily inspection, and he discovered in the lining membrane of the eyelids of some of them certain small granular bodies resembling boiled sago grains. Furthermore he noticed that, although those soldiers whose eyelids presented this peculiarity showed then no indications of the disease, they were subsequently invariably attacked by it; whilst those from whose eyelids the sago grains were absent as invariably escaped.

Subsequent investigators, amongst whom may be mentioned Drs Welch and Marston, have confirmed the accuracy of Dr Loffler’s observations and the soundness of his conclusions—that the occurrence of the sago grains is always an antecedent condition to an attack of purulent ophthalmia.

As to the nature of the little granular bodies known to pathologists as ‘sago grains,’ it seems to be generally admitted that they are follicles situated directly beneath the epithelium, which, in a healthy condition of the lining membrane, are not apparent, but which become swollen and enlarged when the membrane itself is in an unhealthy and irritable condition. In this respect they resemble the enlarged glands met with in scrofulous and weakly children.

“In a regiment the proneness to the development of sago grains is found to decrease as life advances; that is, to be much greater in young soldiers than in old ones, and by a parity of reasoning it is assumed to be greater in a community of children than in a community of adults. In any individual, and therefore in any community, the sago grains may disappear without producing mischief; but, as a matter of fact, sources of irritation to the eyes abound in the world, and when these sources of irritation act upon eyelids in which sago grains are already present, they often excite the contagious form of ophthalmia.”

The diffusion into the atmosphere of the purulent discharge accompanying this form of ophthalmia is undoubtedly the means by which the disease is spread.

Hence it is that if one eye be affected the other may be saved from an attack by being hermetically sealed up—a method of prevention sometimes adopted by the ophthalmic surgeon.

Mr Brudenell Carter says “that the secretion passes along the tear-passages into the nostrils, and is driven out with the expired air at every breath; besides the chances of direct contact that must exist when a child with ophthalmia is perpetually sending into the atmosphere what I may describe as a spray of contagious particles.”

Medical opinion is in some measure divided as to the origin of this disease; for whilst there are authorities who believe that its propagation is due to contagion assisted by insanitary environments, there are others who incline to the supposition that these latter conditions alone are sufficient to produce it. Whether this is so or not there can be no question that impure air, overcrowding, filth, and deficient water supply, which implies insufficient ablution, serve to intensify and perpetuate it.

So strongly and confidently impressed are Messrs Welch and Marston of the connection between unhealthy surroundings and prevalent ophthalmia, that they regard the two as cause and effect, and state their belief “that the presence or absence of ‘sago grains’ affords a delicate test of the sanitary state of a school, a regiment, or any similar community.”

Ample and painful confirmation of these views is afforded by the prevalence of the disease amongst the children, more particularly those who live in very poor and crowded districts. The pitiable, blear-eyed little creatures that one meets with in these localities are very frequently the victims of purulent ophthalmia, and as such bear unfailing testimony to the insalubrity and squalor of the homes in which they dwell.

Stromeyer states that he has met with the ‘sago grains’ in the eyelids of many domestic animals, more particularly pigs, the granules being always in proportion to the more or less dirty condition in which the animals were kept.

The above statements plainly indicate the means by which the disease is to be combated. Of these, thorough ventilation and pure air are the most important. Stromeyer records how, by simply ventilating some barracks, he reduced to an amazing extent a number of cases of the disease, which had broken out in the Hanoverian army. Possibly this result was due to the removal, by the current of air from the apartment of the dried particles of contagious matter.

Ablution, which, carefully performed, is, in addition to ventilation, an important curative agent, may, through the neglect of certain precautions, assist to spread the disease.

This it will assuredly do if the basins employed by the patients for washing their eyes are not thoroughly cleansed and disinfected after being used. Furthermore, the towels may be made to spread the infection, unless they too are thrown into some disinfecting solution after use, and unless a separate towel is appropriated to each patient. The danger of reinoculation may ensue if each towel is not changed sufficiently often. The bed-clothes of the affected persons, as well as the pillowcases, should be frequently renewed, the latter every day, since they collect and disseminate the discharges falling on them from the patient.

Medical authorities also strongly recommend the isolation of the patient, and then consequent separation from healthy persons as soon as ever the disease shows itself in a regiment, a school, or amongst any body of persons congregated together; a daily inspection of the eyes of each is recommended, so that whenever the “sago grains” develop themselves, the individuals so attacked may be removed, and placed under proper treatment.

The after effects of the various forms of contagious ophthalmia are thickening and distortion of the eyelids, more or less serious defect of vision, and not unfrequently total blindness.

During the course of the disease relapses from the most trifling causes frequently occur, and Warmolow states that a person who has once been affected with it is not safe against a recurrence, and should be assiduously watched.

Ophthalmia, Infantile, Purulent. This disease very frequently attacks infants of 3 or 4 days old. It is distinguished by redness of the edges of the eyes, the lids of which are often glued together. Upon looking into the eye the lining membrane is seen to be swollen and red. Infantile purulent ophthalmia, although yielding much more readily to proper treatment than that which attacks adults, makes rapid progress if neglected, and may jeopardise the sight of the babe; hence the great importance of calling in efficient medical aid as soon as ever it makes its appearance.

Ophthalmia, Strumous, or Scrofulous. This form of ophthalmia is generally met with in children of scrofulous habit of from 4 to 10 or 11 years of age. Its most distinctive characteristic is the inability of the sufferer to bear the light, the effect of which is that the eyes are kept spasmodically partially closed. If the eyes are examined, a slight fulness of the vessels usually stopping at the edge of the cornea is observable, and about the line dividing the cornea and sclerotic coat small opaque pimples or pustules are visible. This variety of ophthalmia, being the outcome of a constitutional taint, is frequently very obstinate, and yields with difficulty to medical treatment, besides being very liable to reappear. It is not unfrequently accompanied with a troublesome cutaneous affection known as Crusta lactea, which occurs on the cheeks, and arises from the irritation caused by the flow down the cheeks of the acrid lachrymal secretion. The usual treatment consists in improving the general health and strength of the patient by means of tonics, such as quinine, quinine and iron, cod-liver oil, or syrup of iodide of iron. The diet should be nutritious and easy of digestion, and there should be no stint of fresh air.

O′′PIATES. Syn. Opiata, L. Preparations containing opium. The word is often applied in a general sense to anodynes and soporifics. In French pharmacy the name is commonly used synonymously with confections, as in the following preparations:—

Anti-dysenteric opiate—Quarin. Purified opium, 4 gr.; ipecacuanha, ⁄2 dr.; tormentilla, 1 dr.; syrup of whortleberries and conserve of red roses, of each 6 dr.—Dose. A teaspoonful every hour.

Anti-hysterical opiate—Trousseau and Reveil. Powdered indigo, 1 oz.; white honey, 3 oz.—Dose, 1 tablespoonful daily, gradually increased until the whole is taken in a day. In hysteria, epilepsy, and nervous affections of an epileptic character.

Balsamic opiate—Trousseau and Reveil. Oleo-resin (balsam) of copaiba, 1 oz.; cubebs (in powder), 3 oz.; potassio-tartrate of iron, 2⁄2 dr.; syrup of quince, q. s. In gleet.—Dose, 3 boluses the size of a nut, thrice daily.

Charcoal opiate—Ratier. Willow charcoal (recent), 1 oz.; prepared chalk, 1 dr.; powdered white sugar, 2 oz.: rose water, q. s. to form an electuary. In diarrhœa and incipient cholera, in dysentery with fetid stools, and in gastralgia, flatulence, &c. By substituting calcined magnesia for chalk it becomes an excellent remedy for habitual constipation.

Cubeb opiate—Deyeaux. Powdered cubebs, 4 dr.; powdered camphor, 1 dr.; mix, and divide it into 18 powders.—Dose. One, 3 or 4 times daily, in gleet, painful and scalding micturition. &c.

O′′PIUM. Syn. Opium (B. P., Ph. L., E, & D.), L. The juice inspissated by spontaneous evaporation, obtained by incision from the unripe capsules of the Papaver somniferum, grown in Asia Minor.

Hist.—“It is uncertain at what period opium was first known and introduced into medicine. Hippocrates recommends the meconion or poppy juice, in a disease of the uterus; and Dioscorides, on the authority of Erasistratus, tells us that Diagoras (who was contemporary, it is supposed, with Hippocrates) condemned the use of opium. These are, I believe, the most ancient Greek authorities who speak of this substance; and it is impossible, I think, to arrive at any accurate conclusion from their remarks whether opium had, or had not, been known long before their time, though Alston infers, from the little use made of it by Hippocrates, as well as from Diagoras condemning its use in diseases of the eyes, that its virtues were not known long before him. Dioscorides and Pliny mention that the expressed juice of the heads and leaves is termed meconium, and that it is much weaker than opium. Theodore Zwinger, Sprengel, and others have supposed that the nepenthes of Homer was opium. It would appear that opium was not much employed until the time of the Arabs, except in the form of the confections known as Theriaca, Mithridatica, &c. The word opium is derived from otos, the juice.”

Var.—1. Egyptian; in roundish flattened lumps; inferior to Turkish opium.—2. English; often equal to the best Smyrna.—3. French; resembles the last.—4. German; similar to English opium,—5. Indian;—a. Benares; in large balls;—b. Malwa; in roundish flattened cakes, of 9 or 10 oz. in weight each;—c. Patna, in balls or square cakes; inferior to Turkey opium.—6. Levant; same as Smyrna opium.—7. Persian; in rolls or sticks, 6 × ⁄2 inch; inferior; resembles hepatic aloes in appearance.—8. Smyrna; in irregular, rounded, flattened pieces, varying in weight from 2 or 3 lbs. to only as many oz. It forms the best variety of Turkey opium, and is particularly rich in morphia. It is the only one adapted for the manufacture of the salts of morphia, as it contains on the average from 7 to 9% of that alkaloid, and usually yields about 12 to 12·5% of hydrochlorate of morphia, which is more than can be obtained from any other variety of opium.—9. Turkey; of which two varieties are known in commerce, viz. Constantinople opium and Levant or Smyrna opium, noticed above. Constantinople opium is generally in small, flattened, roundish cakes, 2 to 2⁄2 inches in diameter, and covered with poppy leaves. It is more mucilaginous and less esteemed than Smyrna opium, from which it may be distinguished by the last being always covered with the reddish capsules of a species of Rumex.

The following account of the method of opium collection, adopted in Asia Minor, is extracted from a paper in the ‘Pharmaceutical Journal,’ contributed by Messrs Maltass and Wilkin. About the end of May the plants arrive at maturity, and the flowers expand. A few days after the petals have fallen the capsule is ready for incision.

This operation is performed in the afternoon of the day and in the following manner:—A transverse incision is made with a knife in the lower part of the capsule, the incision being carried round until it arrives nearly at the part where it commenced; sometimes it is continued spirally to half way down its starting point. The greatest nicety is required to avoid cutting too deep, and penetrating the interior coating of the capsule, as this would cause the exuding milky juice to flow into the inside.

The following morning those engaged in collecting the opium lay a large poppy leaf on the palm of the left hand, and having a knife in the right hand, they scrape the opium which has exuded from the incision in each capsule, and then transfer it from the knife to the leaf, until a mass of sufficient size has been formed, when a second poppy leaf is placed over the top of the mass. If the dew has been heavy during the night the yield is greater, but the opium is dark in colour; if, on the contrary, there has been no dew, the yield is less, but the opium is of a lighter colour. A high wind is prejudicial, as the dust raised from the pulverised soil adheres to the exudation, and cannot be separated. The poppy capsules are cut but once, but as each plant will from one stem produce several branches, and each branch produce a flower, it is usual to pass over the field a second or a third time, to cut such capsules as were not ready at the first cutting. After the opium is collected it is dried in the shade.

The proceeds arising from the sale of the opium crop in British India form a considerable item in the revenues of our Eastern Empire; hence the poppy as the source of this valuable export, almost the whole of which goes to China, is very extensively cultivated in India.

In the year ending March 31st, 1872, 93,364 chests, valued at £13,365,228, were exported from British India. Of this quantity 49,455 chests were from Bengal, and Bombay 43,909. They were distributed thus:—

To China 85,470 chests.

” the Straits Settlements 7,845 ”

” Ceylon, Java, Mauritius, and Bourbon 38 ”

” the United Kingdom 4 ”

” other countries 7 ”

93,364

The net revenue to the Indian Government from this source in the year 1871-72 was £7,657,213.

A large track of country in Bengal, some 600 miles in length and 200 in breadth, watered by the Ganges, embraces the chief opium district of India. A comparatively small quantity of opium is obtained from the mountain parts of the North of India. This latter is yielded by the Papaver somniferum, whilst that from the plains is the produce of the Papaver officinale.

In India the plant is reared in a rich and well-manured soil, and thrives best in mild moist localities. It requires careful weeding and thinning whilst growing, and when necessary the ground is irrigated. As in Asia Minor, when the time comes for making incisions in the capsules for the purpose of collecting the exuding juice, this latter is always found to be less in quantity if it be rainy weather. In India the poppy begins to flower at the end of January, or the commencement of February and about three or four weeks after its effervescence the capsule, which is about as large as a hen’s egg, is in a condition to be tapped. This operation is always performed at early morn, before sunrise, by means of a little iron instrument notched at the smaller end like a saw.

The treatment to which the milky exudation, which subsequently hardens into opium, is subjected differs only in details from that followed in Asia Minor, and in being more carefully and elaborately carried out. For instance, it is first allowed to stand for some time in a shallow brass dish tilted on one side, by which means there drains away a thin watery fluid, the presence of which seriously impairs the quality of the opium. After this it is dried equably by three or four weeks’ exposure to the air, and in this condition is packed in earthen jars and taken by the native cultivators to the factory. Here, after being tested and weighed, it is thrown into immense vats, which contain the accumulated produce of whole districts; and when the several samples have been kneaded together it is removed, and formed into balls or cakes. The soft opium is made into balls by being pressed into brass cup-shaped moulds, lined throughout with petals of the poppy, which are made to adhere to each other as well as to the ball of opium by means of an adhesive fluid obtained from an inferior kind of opium; other petals are then by the same means stuck on to the upper part of the ball so that the whole of this is covered with a thin layer of them. The balls are next removed to the drying-room of the factory, where they are arranged in tiers on lattice-work shelves. During the process of drying they are carefully watched and examined by boys, to keep them from the ravages of insects. When sufficiently desiccated the cakes of opium are packed in casks, and are ready for the market.

The yield of morphia from East Indian opium is usually very small, a circumstance which Messrs Flückiger and Hanbury conceived to be partly due to the climate and partly to the defective method of cultivation.

He believed that the period, three or four weeks, during which the juice was allowed to remain in the wet state was much too long, and exercised a destructive influence on its constituents.

Opium from England, France, and Germany is occasionally met with, but never in considerable quantity. The cultivation of the opium poppy, however, in these three countries is chiefly carried on for the sake of the capsules which are largely employed in medicine; and the oil extracted from the seed, which is highly valued and extensively employed by artists.

Pur. The opium of commerce is not unfrequently adulterated with extract of poppies, extract of lettuce, lactucarium, mucilage of gum tragacanth, dried leaves, starch, water, clay, sand, gravel, and other substances, in order to increase its weight. This fraud is readily detected by inspection, by chemical analysis, and the microscope; and indirectly, with the greatest certainty, by a simple assay of the sample for its morphia (morphiometry). This may be effected by one or other of the following methods:—

1. (Couerbe.) Opium, 4 parts, and quicklime, 1 part, made into a milk with water, q. s., are boiled together, and the solution filtered whilst hot; the filtrate is then saturated with dilute hydrochloric acid and the morphia precipitated by the addition of ammonia, any excess of the latter being expelled by heat; the precipitate is then collected, dried, and weighed. If 100 gr. have been operated on, the given weight will represent (nearly) the per-centage richness of the sample in morphia.

2. (Guilliermond.) 100 gr. of opium are triturated for some time in a mortar along with 4 times its weight of rectified spirit, and the tincture strained through linen, with expression, into a wide-mouthed bottle; the marc is triturated a second time with about 3 times its weight of alcohol, and the tincture strained into the bottle as before; to the mixed tincture is added a fl. dr. of liquor of ammonia, and the whole is agitated for a short time. In about 12 hours the morphia spontaneously separates, accompanied with some narcotina and meconate of ammonium; the morphia covering the interior of the vessel with large, coloured, and gritty crystals, feeling like sand, and the narcotina crystallising in very light, small, white, and pearly needles. These crystals are washed with water, either through a paper filter or linen, to free them from the meconate of ammonia which they contain; after which the narcotina is separated from the morphia by decantation in water, which removes the narcotina, which is the lighter of the two. According to M. Mialhe, however, the morphia is more effectually removed by washing the crystals with 1 to 1⁄2 fl. dr. of ether, by triturating the two together, when the morphia is left in an insoluble state, and may then be dried and weighed.

3. (B. Ph.) Take of opium, 100 gr., slaked lime, 100 gr., distilled water, 4 oz. Break down the opium and steep it in an ounce of the water for 24 hours, stirring the mixture frequently. Transfer it to a displacement apparatus, and pour on the remainder of the water in successive portions, so as to exhaust the opium by percolation. To the infusion thus obtained, placed in a flask, add the lime, boil for ten minutes, place the undissolved matter on a filter, and wash it with an ounce of boiling water. Acidulate the filtered fluid slightly with hydrochloric acid, evaporate it to the bulk of ⁄2 an ounce, and let it cool. Neutralise it cautiously with solution of ammonia, carefully avoiding an excess; remove by filtration the brown matter which separates, wash it with an ounce of hot water, mix the washings with the filtrate, concentrate the whole to the bulk of ⁄2 an ounce, and add now solution of ammonia in slight excess. After 24 hours collect the precipitated morphia on a weighed filter, wash it with cold water, and dry it at 212°. It ought to weigh at least from 6 to 8 grains.

4. (Cleaver.) Commenting on the above method of opium assay, Mr Cleaver remarks:—“This process, if properly and carefully carried out, is one of the best, as, by the use of lime, the resin and meconate of calcium, also meconic acid, are removed from solution. The objections to it are—

“a. That the large quantity of water used, and the subsequent evaporation, cause loss of morphia.

“b. That no account is taken of the loss of morphia by non-precipitation.

“The modifications I would introduce are as follows:—

“a. The opium should be first treated with bisulphide of carbon or benzine.

“b. The dried residue should then be mixed with its own weight of lime and two or three times its bulk of some inert powder, such as pumice or glass. It is then to be percolated with water, the first part of the percolate being returned as fast as it runs through. By this means much less water will be required to exhaust the opium than would otherwise be the case.

“After the opium has been exhausted, which will be known by the liquid dropping through devoid of taste, the solution should be exactly neutralised with dilute sulphuric acid and filtered and the precipitate washed. The clear solution is then to be evaporated over a water bath until its bulk is about ⁄2 an ounce, and again filtered if requisite, then ammonia is to be added in slight excess, and the liquid allowed to stand for 24 hours.

“The precipitate can then be collected, washed with ether and dried, and to the amount formed must be added the amount corresponding to the quantity of water used in precipitating and washing.

“The morphia obtained by this process is of a dull white colour, crystalline, perfectly soluble in alcohol, acids, and alkalies.”

5. (Prollius.) This is a very simple process and is said to give very exact results. It is as follows:—The opium is exhausted with 9 or 10 times its weight of spirit of 34 per cent. strength. Of the resulting tincture, 100 parts are well shaken with 5 parts of ether and 2 parts of solution of ammonia in a stoppered bottle, and then allowed to stand from 12 to 24 hours. The liquids separate slowly, and retain, partly in the ether, partly in the alcoholic liquid, the colouring matter, narcotine, and other crystallisable constituents of opium; while the morphia separates in crystals between the two layers, and finally sinks to the bottom. The fluid portion is decanted, the crystals are washed with diluted alcohol, dried and weighed.

6. (Teschemacher.) In employing the following method the use of alcohol to extract the morphia is avoided, and meconic acid is separated at an early stage, which prevents the formation of a basic meconate on precipitation of the morphia. Two special reagents are required for this process; the one prepared by mixing 1 part of ammonia, sp. gr. 0·880, with 20 parts of methylated alcohol, and digesting in this mixture a large excess of morphine; this, when filtered, is termed “morphiated spirit;” the other, morphiated water, is water saturated with excess of morphine, and contains 0·04 per cent. of this alkaloid. 1000 gr. of opium are macerated for 12 to 24 hours in about 4000 grains of cold distilled water, together with 300 gr. of lead acetate, stirring the mixture from time to time. This separates the meconic acid as lead meconate, whilst the morphia is dissolved in the acetic acid set free.

After this maceration the opium may be readily ground in a mortar to a paste, and so much more cold distilled water added, raising the pestle and mortar with successive portions of it as to fill with the mixture a measure = 20,250 grains of distilled water; experience has shown that the space occupied by the insoluble matters measures from 200 to 300 gr., so that the limit of possible error, by averaging and allowing 250 gr. for the insoluble portion, amounts to 0·05% in opium containing 10% of morphia. The mixture is to be filtered and 15,000 measured gr. = 750 grains of opium, of the clear solution, are to be evaporated to an extract on a water bath, and this residue to be drenched with 3090 gr. of boiling alcohol or methylated spirit, and the whole digested, with frequent stirring, for about 10 minutes.

This separates the gum, &c., of the opium which is insoluble in alcohol, and so far frees the solution of morphia from impurity.

At this stage of the process it is well to get rid of the excess of lead-salts, and to accomplish this, sulphuric acid is preferable to sulphuretted hydrogen. So much diluted sulphuric acid as may be equal to 30 gr. of oil of vitriol will almost always be sufficient for this purpose, any excess of acid being converted into sulphate of ammonia by the subsequent addition of so much solution of ammonia as shall be equivalent to the 30 gr. of oil of vitriol, thus forming a salt but slightly soluble in the alcoholic solution. This mixture may now be transferred to a beaker and allowed to settle for 12 hours, after which it is to be filtered, and the filter and insoluble residue thoroughly washed with alcohol or methylated spirits. This alcoholic filtrate is then distilled, or evaporated on a water bath, to about 1000 gr.; and mixed, while still hot, with 400 gr. of solution of ammonia, sp. gr. 0·880, stirring rapidly and continuously for at least 20 minutes, whilst the beaker or evaporating dish should be cooled as rapidly as possible by immersion in an external vessel filled with cold water. The rapid and continuous stirring is most important, as the precipitation of the whole of the morphia in fine powder is thereby effected, instead of the granular or mamillated condition so frequently met with, and it thus permits of the easy and thorough separation of all the narcotine which may be mixed with the morphine. When the cooling of the mixture and precipitation of the morphia is thus attained, transfer it quickly and completely to a filter of sufficient capacity to hold the whole, and when the liquid portion has passed through, wash the remainder of the precipitated morphia adhering to the dish or beaker on to the filter, using for this purpose the morphiated spirit already described, and continuing the washing of the precipitate until it is completely freed from the mother-liquor. To do this effectually requires some little care: thus the morphia on the filter must be kept in a spongy condition and never allowed to cohere, which is easily effected by pouring the morphiated spirit round the edges of the filter, so as not to disturb the precipitate, which must not be permitted to drain or solidify until this washing is completed.

The precipitate is now to be washed from off the filter-paper with the morphiated water previously described, and digested therein for a few minutes, which removes some more colouring matter, together with any salts soluble in water, but insoluble in alcohol, which may have adhered to the precipitated morphia; then once more collect the precipitate on a filter, washing it with morphiated spirit, after this once with ether, and finally thrice, or more with benzine; this completely frees it from narcotina, which is very soluble in benzine; morphia, on the contrary, being insoluble in this liquid. It now remains to drain and dry at a low temperature, say 100° F., the resulting pure and white morphia, the weight of which will indicate the amount of this alkaloid present in 750 gr. of the opium under examination.

7. (Ph. E.) Macerate 100 gr. of opium for 24 hours in 2 fl. oz. of water, filter, and strongly squeeze the residue; then precipitate the infusion with carbonate of sodium, ⁄2 oz., dissolved in cold water, 2 fl. oz.; gently heat the precipitate until it shrinks and fuses, then cool and weigh it. It should weigh at least 10 gr., and, when powdered, be entirely soluble in a solution of oxalic acid. See also Watts’ ‘Dic. of Chemistry,’ article Opium.

Tests. These depend chiefly on the chemical and physical characters of morphia and meconic acid, the tests for which have been already noticed. In operating upon the contents of the stomach, or upon solid organs, in cases of suspected poisoning, the best method or proceeding is that already described under Alkaloid.

Another method is to boil the substances in water slightly acidulated with acetic acid, next to evaporate the solution to the consistence of a thick syrup, and then to treat it twice with boiling rectified spirit; the tincture thus obtained is to be filtered when cold, and again evaporated to the consistence of a syrup; it is now re-dissolved in distilled water, the filtrate treated with solution of subacetate of lead, and the precipitate of meconate of lead, separated by filtration, and carefully preserved. A current of sulphuretted hydrogen is then passed through the solution to precipitate excess of lead, and after again filtering it the liquid is evaporated, at first in a water bath, and afterwards under the receiver of an air-pump. The shapeless mass of crystals thus obtained present all the characters of morphia, if the substance examined contained opium. In the meantime the precipitate of meconate of lead is to be boiled with water acidulated with sulphuric acid, and the insoluble sulphate of lead separated by filtration; the filtered liquid, by evaporation, furnishes meconic acid, either under the form of crystals or an amorphous powder, the solution of which precipitates ferric salts of a deep blood-red.

The following are additional tests to those already noticed:—

1. From the peculiar odour of opium, often perceptible when the drug has been taken only in very small quantities.

2. A solution containing crude opium is turned of a deep red colour, or if coloured, it is turned of a reddish brown, and is darkened by tincture of ferric chloride.

3. (Hare.) A portion of the suspected liquid is poured into a beaker glass, and a few drops of solution of acetate of lead are added to it; the whole is stirred frequently for 10 or 12 hours, and then allowed to settle, after which the supernatant liquid is decanted; 20 or 30 drops each of dilute sulphuric acid and solution of ferric sulphate are next poured on the precipitate (meconate of lead), when a deep and beautiful red colour will be developed if the original liquid contained opium.

4. (Dr Rieget.) The suspected substance is mixed with some potassa, and is then agitated with ether; a strip of white unsized paper is next several times moistened with the solution, and when dry it is re-moistened with hydrochloric acid, and exposed to the steam of hot water. The paper assumes a red colour, more or less deep, if opium is present.

Uses, &c. Opium is one of the most valuable substances employed in medicine. In small doses it acts as a powerful and diffusible stimulant, in somewhat larger ones it is narcotic, and in excessive doses it proves an active narcotic poison. It is also anodyne, antispasmodic, diaphoretic, soporific, and sedative, its peculiar action being greatly modified by the dose and the condition of the patient. Its action as a stimulant is followed by sedative effects, which are, in general, much more marked than could be expected from the degree of previous excitement it induces. It is employed to fulfil a variety of indications—to procure sleep, to lull pain, allay irritation, check morbid discharges, alleviate cough and spasm, &c. &c. It also, when judiciously administered, renders the body less susceptible of external impressions, as those of cold, contagion, &c.; but it is injurious when the pulse is high, the heat of the body above the natural standard, and the skin dry, or when there is a disposition to local inflammation or congestion. When applied externally, in the form of frictions, liniments, ointments, &c., it is absorbed, and produces similar effects to those produced by swallowing it, but in this way it requires to be used in larger quantities.—Dose. As a stimulant, ⁄4 gr., every 2 or 3 hours; as an anodyne and antispasmodic, ⁄2 to 1 gr.; as a soporific, ⁄2 to 2 gr.; in violent spasms, neuralgia, acute rheumatism, &c., 2 to 4 gr., increased in delirium tremens, hydrophobia, mania, tetanus, &c., to several times that quantity, according to circumstances.

The use of opium as a stimulant and intoxicant is common among the nations of the East. The Turks chew it, and the Chinese smoke a watery extract of it, under the name of ‘chundoo,’ the preparation of which from the crude article constitutes a special business. Messrs Flückiger and Hanbury, in their ‘Pharmacographia,’ published in 1874, say this particular business is not confined to the celestials, since, in 1870, a British firm at Amoy opened an establishment for preparing chundoo for the consumption of the Chinese in California and Australia.

The qualities most valued by the Chinese in opium are its fulness and peculiarity of aroma, and its degree of solubility. The amount of morphine it contains is a secondary consideration.

The practice of opium smoking yearly increases in China. It appears to be openly followed, and no odium attaches to it, provided it is not carried so far as to intoxicate or incapacitate the smoker.

In the larger cities and towns adjacent to Amoy the proportion of opium smokers, according to Mr Hughes, Commissioner of Customs at Amoy, is estimated at from 15 to 20 per cent. of the adult population.

In the country districts 5 to 10 per cent. of the population are believed to be opium smokers.

In many of the Western States of America the practice has become so notoriously common that in 1872 the legislature of Kentucky passed a bill by which any person who, through the excessive use of opium, is incapacitated from managing himself or his affairs, may, upon the affidavit of two citizens, be confined in an asylum, and subjected to the same restraint as lunatics or habitual drunkards.

Of late years opium-eating and laudanum-taking have, unfortunately, been greatly on the increase in this country, and the employment of this drug as a soporific for infants and young children has become so general amongst the poor and dissipated as to call for the interference of the legislature.

Of the 250,000 lbs. of opium which, as shown by the recent returns made by the Custom House, are imported into this country, it has been computed that not more than a third of this quantity is used for medicinal purposes.

According to Dr Chevers the practices of opium-eating and opium-smoking are very common among the natives of India. The same authority also states that in that country a large number of female infants are purposely poisoned by it, by introducing the drug into the child’s mouth, and in various other ways.

The first effect of opium as a stimulant is to excite the mental powers and to elevate those faculties proper to man; but its habitual use impairs the digestive organs, induces constipation, and gradually lessens the energy of both the mind and body. In excessive quantities it destroys the memory, induces fatuity and a state of wretchedness and misery, which after a few years is mostly cut short by a premature death. In this respect the effects of the excessive use of opium closely resemble those of fermented liquors.

Opium is somewhat uncertain in its action; some persons being able, sometimes from idiosyncrasy, but more frequently from previous indulgence in it, to take a much larger dose than others. The smallest quantity which is said to have proved fatal with an adult is 4 grains of the crude opium. In contrast with this may be quoted the statement of Dr Garrod, of a young man who not only swallowed 60 gr. of Smyrna opium night and morning, but very frequently, in addition to this, 1 oz. to 1⁄2 oz. of laudanum during the day.

Dr Chapman also cites the case of a patient to whom a wineglass of laudanum had to be administered several times in 24 hours.

Pois.—Symptoms. Headache; drowsiness; stupor; frightful reveries; vertigo; contracted pupil (generally); scanty urine; pruritus or dry itching of the skin, often accompanied by a papular eruption; thirst; dryness of mouth and throat; weak and low pulse; vomiting; respiration, generally, natural. Sometimes the drowsiness or sleep is calm and peaceful.—Ant., &c. Vomiting must be induced as soon as possible, by means of a strong emetic and tickling the fauces. If this does not succeed, the stomach-pump should be applied. The emetic may consist of a ⁄2 dr. of sulphate of zinc dissolved in ⁄2 pint of warm water, of which one third should be taken at once, and the remainder at the rate of a wine-glassful every 5 or 10 minutes, until vomiting commences. When there is much drowsiness or stupor, 1 or 2 fl. dr. of tincture of capsicum will be found a useful addition; or one of the formulæ for emetic draughts given at page 588 (especially No. 7) may be taken instead. Infusion of galls, cinchona, or oak-bark, should be freely administered before the emetic, and water soured with vinegar and lemon-juice, after the stomach has been well cleared out. To rouse the system, spirit-and-water or strong coffee may be given. To keep the sufferer awake, rough friction should be applied to the skin, an upright posture preserved, and walking exercise enforced, if necessary. When this is ineffectual, cold water may be dashed over the chest, head, and spine, or mild shocks of electricity may be had recourse to. To allow the sufferer to sleep is to abandon him to destruction. Bleeding may be subsequently necessary in plethoric habits, or in threatened congestion. The costiveness that accompanies convalescence may be best met by aromatic aperients; and the general tone of the habit restored by stimulating tonics and the shower bath. The smallest fatal dose of opium in the case of an adult within our recollection was 4⁄2 gr. Children are much more susceptible of the action of opium than of other medicines, and hence the dose of it for them must be diminished considerably below that indicated by the common method of calculation depending on the age. See Doses, &c.

Concluding Remarks. Opium is a very complicated substance, and contains a number of alkaloids and other proximate vegetable principles, besides a certain portion of saline matter. The substances already detected in it are caoutchouc, codein, fatty matter, lignin, meconic acid, meconia, morphia, narceia, narcotia, odorous matter, opiania, papaveria, pseudomorphia (?), porphyroxin, resin, saline matter, &c. It is doubtful, however, whether some of these substances are not generated from other principles existing in opium during the processes adopted to obtain them.

According to Mulder, 100 parts of ordinary Smyrna opium contain—

Morphia 10·842

Codeia ·678

Narcotia 6·808

Narceia 0·662

Meconia ·804

Meconic acid 5·154

Resin 3·582

Gummy matter 26·242

Mucus 19·086

Fatty matter 2·166

Caoutchouc 6·012

Water 9·846

Matter undetermined and loss 2·118

100·

The sp. gr. of Smyrna opium is 1·336.

The following chart, showing the natural alkaloids of opium and a few of their artificial derivatives, is taken from the ‘Pharmacographia’ of Messrs Flückiger and Hanbury:—

C. H. N. O.

Discovered by Wöhler, 1844 Cotarnine
Formed by oxidising narcotine, soluble in water. 12 13 1 3

Hesse, 1871 1. Hydrocotarnine
Crystallisable, alkaline, volatile at 100°. 12 15 1 3

Matthiesen and Wright, 1869 Apormorphine
From morphine by hydrochloric acid, colourless, amorphous, turning green by exposure to air, emetic. 17 17 1 2

Wright, 1871 Desoxymorphine 17 19 1 2

Sertürner, 1816 2. Morphine
Crystallisable, alkaline, levogyre. 17 19 1 3

Pelletier and Thibouméry, 1835 3. Pseudomorphine
Crystallises with H2O, does not unite even with acetic acid. 17 19 1 4

Discovered by Matthiesen and Burnside, 1871 Apocodeine
From codeine by chloride of zinc; amorphous, emetic. 18 19 1 2

Wright, 1871 Desoxycodeine 18 21 1 2

Robiquet, 1832 4. Codeine
Crystallisable, alkaline, soluble in water. 18 21 1 3

Matthiesen and Foster, 1868 Nornarcotine 19 17 1 7

Thibouméry, 1835 5. Thebaine
Crystallisable, alkaline, isomeric with buxine. 19 21 1 3

Hesse, 1870 Thebenine 19 21 1 3

Hesse, 1870 Thebarcine
From Thebaine or Thebenine by hydrochloric acid. 19 21 1 3

Hesse, 1871 6. Protopine
Crystallisable, alkaline. 20 19 1 5

Matthiesen and Foster, 1868 Methylnornarcotine 20 19 1 7

Hesse, 1871 Deuteropine
Not yet isolated. 20 21 1 5

Hesse, 1870 7. Laudanine
An alkaloid, which, as well as its salts, forms large crystals; turns orange by hydrochloric acid. 20 25 1 4

Hesse, 1870 8. Codamine
Crystallisable, alkaline, can be sublimed; becomes green by nitric acid. 20 25 1 4

Merck, 1848 9. Papaverine
Crystallisable, also its hydrochlorate; sulphate in sulphuric acid precipitated by water. 21 21 1 4

Hesse, 1865 10. Rhœadine
Crystallisable, not distinctly alkaline, can be sublimed; occurs also in Papaver Rhœas. 21 21 1 6

Hesse, 1865 Rhœagenine
From rhœadine, crystallisable, alkaline. 21 21 1 6

Armstrong, 1871 Dimethylnornarcotine 21 21 1 7

Hesse, 1870 11. Meconidine
Amorphous, alkaline, melts at 58°, not stable, the salts also easily altered. 21 23 1 4

T. and H. Smith, 1864 12. Cryptopine
Crystallisable, alkaline, salts tend to gelatinise, hydrochlorate crystallises in tufts. 21 23 1 5

Hesse, 1871 13. Laudanosine
Crystallisable, alkaline. 21 27 1 4

Derosne, 1803 14. Narcotine
Crystallisable, not alkaline, salts not stable. 22 23 1 7

Hesse, 1870 15. Lanthopine
Microscopic crystals, not alkaline, sparingly soluble in hot or cold spirit of wine, ether or benzol. 23 25 1 4

Pelletier, 1832 16. Narceine
Crystallisable (as a hydrate), readily soluble in boiling water, or in alkalies, levogyre. 23 29 1 9

⁂ The following preparations, once famous, are now nearly obsolete in this country. Those that are made with cold water or by fermentation are supposed to be milder than crude opium, and in this respect to be similar to ‘BLACK DROP,’

Opium, Homberg’s. Opium exhausted by repeated coction in 10 or 12 times its weight of water, and the mixed liquors evaporated to one third, and kept boiling for 2 or 3 days, adding water from time to time, then straining and evaporating to a pilular consistence. Baumé’s purified opium is similar.

Opium, Launcelotte’s. Opium, 1 lb.; quince juice, 1 gall.; pure potassa, 1 oz.; sugar, 4 oz.; ferment for some time, evaporate to a syrup, digest in rectified spirit, filter, and evaporate the tincture.

Opium, Let′tuce. Lactucarium.

Opium, Newmann’s. Infusion of opium, strained, mixed with a little sugar, and fermented for some months in a warm place; and, lastly, strained and evaporated to an extract, or preserved in the liquid form.

Opium, Powell’s. Opium, exhausted by coction with water, the residuum treated with spirit of wine, and the mixed tincture and decoction evaporated to an extract.

Opium, Pu′′rified. Syn. Opium purificatum, L. The purified opium of old pharmacy is now represented by the aqueous extract of the Pharmacopœias. (See page 703.) Formerly, picked opium, beaten to a pilular consistence, with the addition of a little water or proof spirit, was called ‘SOFT PURIFIED OPIUM’ (OPIUM PURIFICATUM MOLLE); and picked opium, dried in a water bath until brittle enough for powdering, was called ‘HARD PURIFIED OPIUM’ (O. P. DURUM). Cornette’s and Josse’s purified opium are similar to the extract of Ph. L.

Opium, Quercetan’s. Vinegar of opium evaporated to an extract.

Opium, Strained. Syn. Extractum thebaicum, Opium colatum, Opium purificatum, L. Opium dissolved or softened in an equal weight of water, passed through canvas, and evaporated to the consistence of an extract. It is now superseded by the aqueous extract.

Opium, Tor′refied. Syn. Roasted opium; Opium torrefactum, L. Opium, dried, cut into thin slices, and roasted on an iron plate, at a low heat, as long as it emits vapours, care being taken not to burn it.

OPODEL′DOC. 1. See Liniment of soap.

2. (Steer’s opodeldoc.) This, which differs from common opodeldoc chiefly in containing more soap, is prepared as follows:—

a. White Castile soap (cut very small), 2 lbs.; camphor, 5 oz.; oil of rosemary, 1 oz.; oil of origanum, 2 oz.; rectified spirit, 1 gall.; mix, and digest in a strong bottle (closely corked), by the heat of a water bath, until solution is complete; when the liquid has considerably cooled, add of liquor of ammonia, 11 oz., and immediately put it into wide-mouthed bottles (Steer’s), cork them close, and tie them over with bladder. Very fine, solid and transparent when cold.

b. Soap, 4 oz.; camphor, 1 oz.; oil of rosemary and origanum, of each 1 dr.; rectified spirit, 1 pint; liquor of ammonia, 1⁄2 fl. oz. Mix.

c. (Phil. Coll. of Phar.) White soap, 28 oz.; camphor, 8 oz.; rectified spirit, 6⁄2 pints; dissolve, suffer the impurities to subside, add of liquor of ammonia, 4 fl. oz.; oils of rosemary and horsemint, of each 1 fl. oz.; and pour it into phials, as before.

OPOPONAX. A resinous substance obtained from the roots of the Opoponax chironium. It occurs in lumps of a reddish-yellow or brown colour, and has a waxy fracture. It has a powerful odour, which somewhat resembles garlic, and a bitter taste.

Opoponax is only partially soluble in alcohol, According to Payen it consists of a little volatile oil, a resin that melts it at 100° C., gum, inorganic and organic salts, and mechanical admixtures. It is used in French pharmacy; and was held in great esteem by Hippocrates, Theophrastus, and Dioscorides, all of whom employed it therapeutically.

ORANGE. Syn. Aurantium, L. The common SWEET ORANGE is the fruit of Citrus Aurantium. The Seville or BITTER ORANGE is produced by Citrus vulgaris or Bigaradia.

Oranges are probably about the most wholesome and useful of all the subacid fruits. Their juice differs from that of lemons chiefly in containing less citric acid and more sugar. In their general properties the two are nearly similar.

Factitious orange juice is made by dissolving citric acid, 1 oz., and carbonate of potassa, 1 dr., in water, 1 quart, and digesting the solution on the peel of half an orange until sufficiently flavoured; Narbonne honey or white sugar is then added to impart the necessary sweetness. Instead of orange peel, 5 or 6 drops of oil of orange peel, with ⁄2 fl. oz. of tincture of orange peel, may be used.

Orange peel (CORTEX AURANTII) is an agreeable, stomachic, bitter tonic, especially useful as an adjunct to more active medicines. That ordered to be used in medicine is the exterior (yellow) rind of the Citrus Bigaradia, or bitter orange, dried in the months of February, March, or April. See Candying, Infusion, Issue peas, Oils (volatile), &c.

ORANGEADE′. Syn. Orange sherbet. 1. Juice of 4 oranges, thin peel of 1 orange, lump sugar, 4 oz.; boiling water, 3 pints.

2. Juice and peel of 1 large orange, citric acid, 15 gr.; sugar, 3 oz.; boiling water, 1 quart.

Orangeade, Effervescing or Aerated. 1. Mix 1 lb. of syrup of orange peel, a gallon of water, and 1 oz. of citric acid, and charge it strongly with carbonic acid gas with a machine.

2. Syrup of orange juice, ⁄4 fl. oz.; aerated water, ⁄2 pint.

3. Simple syrup, ⁄2 fl. oz.; tincture of orange peel, ⁄2 dr.; citric acid, 1 scruple; fill the bottle with aerated water.

4. Put into a soda-water bottle ⁄2 oz. to 1 oz. of syrup of orange peel, 30 gr. of bicarbonate of potash, 8 oz. of water, and, lastly, 40 gr. of citric acid, in crystals, and cork immediately.

5. Put into each bottle 2 or 3 dr. of sugar, 2 drops of oil of orange peel, 30 gr. of bicarbonate of potash, or 25 gr. of bicarbonate of soda water to fill the bottle, and 40 gr. of citric acid, as before.

OR′ANGE CHROME. Prep. 1. From a solution of chromate of potash and diacetate of lead, as chrome yellow.

2. From chrome yellow or chromate of lead, by acting on it with a weak alkaline lye, until sufficiently darkened. Used as a pigment.

ORANGE DYES. These are produced from mixtures of red and yellow dyes in various proportions; or by passing the cloth, previously dyed yellow, through a weak red bath.

1. A very good fugitive orange may be given with annotta, by passing the goods through a solution made with equal parts of annotta and pearlash, or, still better, through a bath made of 1 part of annotta, dissolved in a lye of 1 part each of lime and pearlash and 2 parts of soda. The shade may be reddened by passing the dyed goods through water acidulated with vinegar, lemon juice, or citric acid, or through a solution of alum. The goods are sometimes passed through a weak alum mordant before immersion in the dye bath.

2. (For Cotton.) For 40 lbs. 2⁄2 lbs. annotta, 24 lbs. of bark, 3 quarts of chloride of tin. Boil the annotta, put off the boil, enter and wince until it has a good body. Then wring out, wash well, wring again, and shake out. Next, in a clean boiler, boil the bark in a bag for a quarter of an hour, add the chloride of tin, and enter, wince at the spring till the required shade is got.

3. (For Silk.) For 10 yards. Annotta, 1⁄4 oz.; bark, 1⁄4 oz.; chloride of tin, 1⁄2 oz. Give a good body of annotta at 212° Fahr.; wash in one water, then top with the bark and chloride of tin.

4. (For Wool.) For 50 lbs. Boil 10 lbs. of bark and 1⁄2 lbs. of cochineal; add 2 lbs. of tartar, 2⁄2 quarts of yellow spirits. Enter at 200° Fahr.; boil 30 minutes. See Annotta, Dyeing, &c.

ORANGE RED. Syn. Sandix. From white lead, by calcination, in a nearly similar manner to that by which red lead is prepared from the protoxide. Brighter than red lead. Used wholly as a pigment.

OR′ANGERY. The gallery, building, or enclosure in a garden, in which orange trees are preserved or cultivated, to shield them from the effects of the external winter, or to assist their growth by artificial heat.

OR′CHARD. See Cider.

OR′CEIN. C7H7NO2. Syn. Lichen lake. A brownish-red powder, obtained by dissolving orcin in ammonia, exposing the solution to the air, and then precipitating with dilute acetic acid. It is nearly insoluble in water, but dissolves freely in solutions of ammonia and the fixed alkalies, with the production of a rich purple or violet colour. It probably constitutes the leading tinctorial ingredient in ARCHIL, CUDBEAR, and LITMUS. (See below.)

OR′CHIL. See Archil.

OR′CIN. C7H8O2. The general product of the decomposition of the acids obtained from the tinctorial lichens under the influence of heat or the alkaline earths.

Prep. 1. The powdered lichen is treated with boiling alcohol, the tincture filtered whilst hot, and again after it has become cold; the alcohol is then removed by distillation, and the remainder evaporated to the consistence of a syrup; this is redissolved in water, and the solution is again filtered and evaporated to a syrup; it is then set aside some days in a cool place, and the crystals of orcin which form are collected, and dried by pressure in bibulous paper. Impure.

2. Lecanoric or orsenillic acid (impure will do) is boiled in baryta water, and the excess of baryta is precipitated by carbonic acid; the filtered liquid is then evaporated to a small bulk, and set aside to crystallise, as before.

Prop., &c. Large, square, prismatic crystals; slightly yellowish; intensely sweet; very soluble in both water and alcohol; melt to a syrupy liquid, and then distil unchanged. Alkalies decompose it; when exposed to the air, it gradually reddens. (See above.)

OREIDE. A variety of brass, in appearance very much like gold. The following, according to MM. Menrier and Valient, its inventors, is the composition of this alloy:—Copper, 100 parts; zinc, 17 parts; magnesia, 6 parts; sal ammoniac, 3·6 parts; quicksilver, 1·80 parts; tartar of commerce, 9 parts. The copper being first melted, the other ingredients are added by small portions at a time, the whole being kept in fusion for about half an hour, and during which time they are kept skimmed. The oreide has a fine grain, is malleable, is capable of being brilliantly polished, and has its lustre restored by the use of acidulated water.

OR′ELLIN. A yellow colouring matter contained together with bixin in annotta. It is soluble in water and in alcohol, slightly soluble in ether, and dyes alumed goods yellow. Also the name sometimes given to purified annotta. The commercial annotta is dissolved in an alkaline solution, either caustic or carbonated, and then precipitated by an acid. See Annotta.

ORES. The mineral bodies from which metals are obtained. The processes adopted for this purpose constitute OPERATIVE METALLURGY; those by which their value is determined, MINERAL ASSAYING.

A very small proportion only of the metals are met with in nature in the free or elementary condition, by far the greater number found being united with some non-metallic element or elements, in definite atomic proportions, and as such forming true chemical compounds, in which in almost every instance the physical and chemical properties of the metal are obliterated. In these bodies, which, when they are used as sources of the metals commonly employed by man, are called ORES, the metal is mostly combined with oxygen or sulphur, sometimes with carbonic acid, and less frequently with chlorine, and other negative elements. Thus we have the native combinations of iron and oxygen constituting the minerals known as hæmatite iron ore (Fe2O3), bog iron ore (Fe2O3,3H2O), and magnetic iron ore (Fe2O3,FeO), of tin and oxygen in tin stone (SnO2), and of copper and oxygen known as red copper ore (Cu2O). Of the principal ores into which sulphur enters as a chemical ingredient, we may mention native sulphide of antimony (Sb2S3); the two native sulphides of arsenic, realgar (As2S2) and orpiment (As2S3); galena, or native sulphide of lead (PbS), blende, or native sulphide of zinc (ZnS), and cinnabar, or native sulphide of mercury (HgS). Besides the above, there are also certain double native sulphides, such as the double sulphide of iron and copper, known as Peacock ore, and having the composition Fe2S3,3Cu2S; iron and copper pyrites (Fe2S3,Cu2S); and red silver ore (Sb2S3,3AgS).

In the state of carbonate, ores occur—as malachite native carbonate of copper (CuCO3.Cu(HO)2), as calamine, or native carbonate of zinc (ZnCO3), and as spathose iron ore, or native carbonate of iron (FeCO3). Horn silver and horn lead, the former having the composition AgCl, and the latter PbCO3 + PbCl2 are illustrations of ores containing chlorine.

The process of obtaining the metal from the ore of course varies with the nature and character of the latter. Before, however, this operation can be undertaken, the ore itself is subjected to certain mechanical operations, in order to remove the gangue or the adhering earthy, rocky, stony, and other matters with which it is always more or less mixed up. The amount of attention which is given to this preparatory treatment of the ores greatly depends upon their value; those, for instance, of copper and lead as commanding a higher market price than those of zinc and iron being submitted to commensurate treatment. This process of freeing the ores from the gangue, which is termed dressing, is generally conducted as follows, mostly near the pit entrance of the mine whence the ores have been extracted.

If the material brought up to the pit’s mouth is a lead or a copper ore, it mostly contains a number of lumps, which are considered sufficiently pure for the smelting oven, and these are set aside without being dressed. Generally, however, the ore is first broken by hammers into pieces about as large as a walnut, and the best pieces are then selected for smelting.

The remaining or inferior portions are then crushed under the large and horizontal cylinders of a grinding mill, to which they are supplied by hoppers. After being ground the ore is separated by being made to pass through coarse sieves, the coarser portions being set aside for the stampers, whilst the finer ones are subjected to the operation of jigging. This consists in a workman separating the contents of the sieve under water by imparting to them such a movement that the bits of ore (particularly if they are of a friable nature like galena) become broken, and thus pass through the meshes of the sieve to the bottom of the water, whilst the less friable and specifically lighter matter, mostly consisting of gangue, remains behind on the sieve. This residue, being mixed with the coarser portions resulting from the first sifting, and which have not been subjected to the jigging process, is transferred to the stamping mill, whilst those portions of ore found at the bottom of the well are reserved for smelting. If the ore be one containing tin, it does not undergo the above processes, but passes at once to the stamping apparatus.

This stamping apparatus consists of five or six large wooden beams, each weighing ⁄8th of a ton. Each beam is covered at the bottom with iron, and is made to rise and fall in succession by means of projections from a horizontal axle, made to revolve either by water or steam power. Behind the stampers is an inclined board, upon which are placed the residue and coarser portions of the ore already described, and when the stampers are in motion the ore slides down the inclined plane under them, and thus gets crushed. When it is thought the ore has been sufficiently crushed, it is, by means of a current of water running through the mill, carried away through a grating in front of the mill into a channel in which there are two pits, with the result that the more valuable and heavier portion of the ore becomes deposited in the first pit, whilst the inferior portion is carried on, and falls into the second one.

The crushed ore has, however, to undergo other operations before it is considered sufficiently pure for the furnace. That part (the purer portion, called the crop by the Cornish miner) which has deposited in the first pit after removal therefrom, is subjected to a series of further washings, the different apparatus by which these are effected being known in Cornish language as a buddle and a kieve.

“The crop is first subjected to washing in the buddle; this is a wooden trough about 8 feet long, 3 wide, and 2 deep, fixed in the ground with one end somewhat elevated. At the upper end a small stream of water enters, and is reduced to a uniform thin sheet by means of a distributing board, on which a number of small pieces of wood are fastened to break the stream. The ore to be washed is placed in small quantities at a time on a board just below the distributing board, and somewhat more inclined than the body of the buddle, and as the ore is spread out into a thin layer the water carries it forward.

“The richer portions subside near the head of the trough, and the light ores are carried further down. ‘The heads’ are then tossed into the kieve, a covered wooden tub, which is filled with water and ore added by a workman, who keeps the contents of the kieve in continual agitation by turning an agitator, the handle of which projects through the lid of the tub. When the vessel is nearly full the agitation is stopped; the kieve is struck sharply upon the side several times, and its contents are allowed to subside; the upper half of the sediment is again passed through the buddle. Various modifications of the washing process are resorted to, but they are all the same in principle.”

The water which has been used in washing the ore on the buddle, as well as that in the kieve, contains in addition to the débris of the gangue more or less of small pieces of the ore itself. Hence this water is not allowed to escape, but conveyed into a narrow channel cut at the end of the buddle, where it deposits the solid materials. These being then removed undergo a second washing on an inclined stage, a process by which any remaining mineral is recovered, followed in Cornwall.

The above is the method of dressing the ores of lead and tin, and, with some modifications, those of copper.

Some metals, as, for example, certain iron and zinc ores, previous to being dressed, require a preliminary exposure for some time to the atmosphere. This operation, which is called ‘weathering,’ has the effect of aiding the subsequent removal by water of certain materials of a clayey, slatey, or marly nature, which sometimes adhere very tenaciously to the ores in question.

Again, in some cases weathering is had recourse to for obtaining a metallic compound in a soluble form. It is by this means that iron pyrites if exposed to the air after a time becomes converted into a sulphate of the metal.

Large quantities of commercial sulphate of iron or green vitriol are manufactured from this natural sulphate after it has been dissolved by the rain, and then crystallised. Sometimes the ores after dressing, and previous to roasting or smelting, are subjected to a process of calcination without access of air, with the object of depriving them of water, carbonic acid and bituminous matters, and also of rendering the ore softer and in a favorable condition to be acted upon by the subsequent metallurgic operations.

The ores having been by these various processes sufficiently freed from extraneous matters, are next, according to their composition, either submitted to the operations of roasting or smelting, and in many cases to both.

Roasting. This operation is mostly carried out in a reverbatory furnace. The result of the process upon the ores containing sulphur, which are those chiefly subjected to it, varies with the nature of the ore. Thus, when the sulphides of antimony, arsenic, or zinc are roasted, the sulphur escapes as sulphurous anhydride with the formation of the volatile oxides of arsenic, antimony, or zinc, which sublime, and are afterwards collected and purified with cinnabar or native sulphide of mercury.

Sulphurous anhydride is evolved with the vapours of metallic mercury, these being at the same time condensed by cooling. When copper pyrites (the double sulphide of copper and iron) is placed in the reverbatory furnace, the copper and iron become converted into oxides.

When galena or lead sulphide is exposed to the roasting process, lead oxide and sulphate, with the copious escape of sulphurous acid, are at first formed. The oxide and sulphate become eventually decomposed, leaving behind metallic lead, with a small portion of a subsulphide of the metal. In most cases, however, the effect of roasting on an ore is to convert it into an oxide.

Clay ironstone, which is that from which the greater part of the iron is manufactured in Great Britain, and that known as the black band of the Scotch coal fields, are impure carbonates of iron, and these when roasted yield ferric oxide. The roasting in the case of these minerals is sometimes effected in kilns, but more frequently in the open air; in the latter case by the firing of stacks composed of alternate layers of the ore and of small coal. Calamine or native carbonate of zinc is converted into oxide sometimes by being roasted in kilns, but more frequently in a reverbatory furnace.

Smelting. Except in those cases in which the ore is directly reduced from the state of a sulphide to that of a metal, it is, as has been shown, converted into an oxide. If, therefore, it be required to procure the metal per se, some method must be adopted for the removal of the oxygen from its oxide.

This process, which is called smelting, and is applied to most metallic oxides, whether of natural or artificial origin, consists in heating the oxide with a substance which has a stronger attraction for oxygen than the metal has. Such bodies are coal, coke, or charcoal, which when raised to very high temperatures in contact with certain metallic oxides, rob them of their oxygen, and thus reduce them to the state of metals, carbonic oxide or carbonic anhydride being at the same time formed and carried off. A mechanical impediment, however, to the reducing action of the fuel upon the ore exists in the rocky, earthy, and other impurities mostly present in large quantities, even after the dressing, which envelop the mineral, and afford it a protective covering. To remove these it is not only necessary that some substance should be added which has the power of combining with them, but of one which is capable of forming a compound which shall become fusible by the heat of the furnace, so that the molten metal as it sinks through it by reason of its greater specific gravity, and falls to the bottom of the furnace, shall be protected in doing so from contact with the air. Many substances, varying with the nature of the gangue accompanying them, are thus employed as fluxes, such as limestone, fluor spar, gypsum, heavy spar, &c., and they act by combining with the silicious compounds contained in the gangue attached to the ore, and forming a fusible silicate known as slag, which is from time to time run off by an aperture at the side of the furnace. Considerable knowledge and experience are required in the selection of suitable fluxes.

The smelting furnaces in which the deoxidation of iron is accomplished are of considerable size. The following description of one, together with the engraving, are from Professor Bloxam’s able work, ‘Chemistry: Inorganic and Organic,’

“Great care is necessary in first lighting the blast furnace, lest the new masonry should be cracked by too sudden a rise of temperature, and when once lighted, the furnace is kept in constant work for years, until in want of repair.

“When the fire has been lighted the furnace is filled up with coke, and as soon as this has burnt down to some distance below the chimney, a layer of the mixture of calcined ore with the requisite quantity of limestone is thrown upon it; over this there is placed another layer of coke, then a second layer of the mixture of ore and flux, and so on in alternate layers, until the furnace has been filled up; when the layers sink down fresh quantities of fuel, ore, and flux are added, so that the furnace is kept constantly full.

“As the air passes from the tuyères pipes into the bottom of the furnace, it parts with its oxygen to the carbon of the fuel, which it converts into carbonic acid, the latter passing the red-hot fuel as it ascends in the furnace is converted into carbonic oxide by combining with an additional quantity of carbon. It is this carbonic oxide which reduces the calcined ore to the metallic state when it comes in contact with it at a red heat, in the upper part of the furnace, for carbonic oxide removes the oxygen at a high temperature from the oxides of iron, and becomes carbonic acid, the iron being left in the metallic state.

“But the iron so reduced remains disseminated through the mass of ore until it has passed down to a part of the furnace which is more strongly heated, where the iron enters into combination with a small proportion of carbon to form cast-iron, which fuses or runs down into the crucible or cavity for its reception at the bottom of the furnace.

“At the same time the clay contained in the ore is acted upon by the lime of the flux, producing a double silicate of alumina and lime, which also falls in the liquid state into the crucible, where it forms a layer of slag above the heavier metal. This slag, which has five or six times the bulk of the iron, is allowed to accumulate in the crucible and to run over its edge down the incline upon which the blast furnace is built; but when a sufficient quantity of cast iron is collected at the bottom of the crucible, it is run out through a hole provided for the purpose, either into channels made in a bed of sand, or into iron moulds, where it is cast into rough semi-cylindrical masses, called pigs, where cast-iron is also spoken of as pig-iron.

“The temperature of the furnace is, of course, highest in the immediate neighbourhood of the tuyères; the reduction of the iron to the metallic state appears to commence at about two thirds of the way down the furnace, the volatile matters of the ore, fuel, and flux being driven off before this point is reached.

“Some idea may be formed of the immense scale upon which the smelting of iron ores is carried out, when it is stated that each furnace consumes in the course of 24 hours about 50 tons of coal, 30 tons of ore, 6 tons of limestone, and 100 tons of air.

“The cast-iron is run off from the crucible once or twice in 12 hours, in quantities of 5 or 6 tons at a time. The average yield of calcined clay-iron stone is 35% of iron.

“The gases escaping from the chimney of the blast furnace are highly inflammable, for they contain, beside the nitrogen of the air blown into the furnace, a considerable quantity of carbonic oxide and some hydrogen, together with the carbonic acid formed by the action of the carbonic oxide upon the ore. Since the carbonic oxide and hydrogen confer considerable heating power upon these gases, they are employed in some iron-works for heating steam-boilers, or for calcining the ore, or for raising the temperature of the blast.

“The composition of the gas issuing from a hot blast furnace (fed with uncoked coal) may be judged of from the following table:—

“Gas from Blast Furnace.

Nitrogen 55·35 vols.

Carbonic oxide 25·97 ”

Hydrogen 6·73 ”

Carbonic acid 7·77 ”

Marsh gas 3·75 ”

Olefiant gas 0·43 ”

100·00 ”

“The carbonic oxide of course renders these gases highly poisonous, and fatal accidents occasionally happen from this cause. Although the bulk of the nitrogen present in the air escapes unchanged from the furnace, it is not improbable that a portion of it contributes to the formation of the cyanide of potassium which is produced in the lower part of the furnace, the potassium being furnished by the ashes of the fuel.” See Metallurgy.

Assay. Three general methods are adopted for this purpose:—

1. (Mechanical.) This consists in pulverising the ore by any convenient method, and expertly washing a given weight of it (say 1000 gr.) in a wooden bowl or capsule with water, so as to remove the earthy gangues from the denser and valuable metallic matter in such a way that none of the latter may be lost. This is the common plan adopted with auriferous sands, the ores of tin after they have passed the stamping-mill, galena, grey antimony, &c., and may either be employed as an independent process or merely as preparatory to more exact investigations. When galena is thus tested, the product is a nearly pure sulphide of lead, of which every grain is equivalent to ·8666 of metallic lead, the rest being sulphur. The results with grey antimony ore are still more direct, since the product is only melted into pigs before being sent to market. In this state it contains 73% (nearly) of metallic antimony.

2. (Humid.) Assays in the ‘humid way’ are true chemical analyses, and are described under the head ‘Estim.’ attached to most of the more important minerals noticed in this work. This plan offers greater facilities and gives more accurate results than either of the other methods.

3. (Dry.) Of the methods of assay in the ‘dry way’ the following are the most accurate, generally useful, and easily applied:—

a. (Dr Abiche.) The mineral is reduced to powder, and mixed with 5 or 6 times its weight of carbonate of barium, also in powder; this mixture is fused at a white heat in a platinum crucible, and the resulting slag, after being powdered, is exhausted with hydrochloric acid. This process answers well with both stony and metallic minerals, the most refractory of which give way under this treatment.

b. (Liebig.) Into a crucible containing commercial cyanide of potassium, a weighed quantity of the ore, in the state of fine powder, is sprinkled, when the metallic oxides and sulphides which it contains are almost immediately reduced to the metallic state, and may be separated from the scoria by edulcoration with water. With the oxides and sulphides of antimony and tin this reduction occurs at a dull red heat; with the compounds of copper it occurs with the disengagement of light and heat; but an ore of iron requires to be mixed with a little carbonate of potassium or of sodium before throwing it into the fused cyanide, and to be then submitted to a full red heat for a short time, before it is reduced to the reguline state. In this case any manganese present in the ore of iron is left under the form of protoxide. A mixture of about equal parts of dry carbonate of sodium and cyanide of potassium answers better for the crucible than the cyanide alone. See Alloys, Metallurgy, &c.; also Percy’s metallurgy.

ORGAN′IC BA′SES. These interesting bodies may be divided into two classes: the first comprising those which occur ready formed in nature (ALKALOIDS); and the second those produced by artificial processes in the laboratory (ARTIFICIAL ALKALOIDS, ARTIFICIAL ORGANIC BASES). They all contain the element NITROGEN. The natural bases have already been described under ALKALOID. Hitherto they have none of them been produced by artificial means. The bases of artificial origin are mostly volatile, and their constitution is much simpler than that of the native bases. Of the vast number which have been formed the following are, perhaps, the most interesting:—Ethylamine, METHYLAMINE, AMYLAMINE, ANILINE, NAPHTHYLAMINE, CHINOLINE, and PICOLINE. These and other bodies of the class are noticed under their respective heads.

By Berzelius the natural organic bases (owing to the invariable presence in them of hydrogen and nitrogen) were regarded as compound ammonias, or combinators of ammonia with a variety of neutral principles.

He conceived the greater part of these neutral bodies were incapable of isolation, and further more that the closest union existed between them and the ammonia. Thus it was his opinion that quinine C20H12NO2, 3HO (halving the modern formula) was a compound of the group C20H9O2 with oxide of ammonium and water of crystallisation thus (C20H9O2H4NO)2HO. He believed the organic base owed its basicity to the ammonia. Berzelius’ opinion carried weight at the time, from the circumstance that certain neutral substances when directly combined with ammonia were capable of forming a number of artificial bases very similar in qualities and also in composition to the natural ones, or those obtained from living plants. Thus, the artificial base thiosinamine having the formula C4H5NS is produced by the combination of oil of mustard and ammonia; and another base may be artificially obtained from the union of oil of bitter almonds with ammonia.

Liebig, who was one of the first chemists to dispute the correctness of Berzelius’ hypothesis, by showing that the natural organic bases never gave any indication of the presence in them of ready formed ammonia, replaced it by the suggestion that they might be bodies into the composition of which amidogen (H2N) entered, and that these, instead of being compounds of ammonia and an organic group, might be derivatives from ammonia; or ammonia in which an atom of hydrogen had been displaced by an equivalent organic radicle.

The labours of subsequent chemists, notably those of Messrs Wurtz and Hofman, have developed Liebig’s theory, and have proved the analogy in structural arrangement between ammonia and the greater number of organic bases; whilst they have further shown, not only in one, as supposed by Liebig, but for all three of the hydrogen atoms in ammonia, may be substituted certain compound radicles.

ORGAN′IC SUBSTANCES. We have reserved a notice of the method of estimating the quantity of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen, in organic compounds, until now, in order to present them to the reader in a more useful and connected form. The operation essentially consists, in respect of the first three, in causing the complete combustion of a known quantity of the substance under examination, in such a manner that the carbonic acid and water thus produced shall be collected, and their quantity determined. From these the proportions of their elements are easily calculated. The estimation of the quantity of nitrogen (as is also the case with chlorine, phosphorus, sulphur, &c.) requires a separate operation. The two great classes of organic bodies (azotised and non-azotised) are readily distinguished from each other by heating a small portion with some solid hydrate of potassium, in a test tube. If nitrogen is present, it is converted into ammonia, which may be recognised by its characteristic odour and its alkaline reaction.

1. Estimation of the CARBON, HYDROGEN, and OXYGEN.—a. The method of Prof. Liebig, now almost exclusively adapted for this purpose, is as follows:—The substance under examination, reduced to powder, is rendered as dry as possible, either by the heat of a water bath or by exposure over concentrated sulphuric acid, in vacuo; 5 or 6 gr. of it are then weighed in a narrow open test tube, 2 or 3 inches long, and to ensure accuracy this tube and any little adhering matter is again weighed after its contents have been removed—the difference between the two weights being regarded as the true quantity of the substance employed in the experiment. A ‘combustion tube,’ of hard white Bohemian glass (·4 to ·5 inch diam.; 14 to 18 inches long), is next taken, and about 2-3rds filled with black oxide of copper, prepared by the ignition of the nitrate, and which has been just re-heated to expel hygrometric moisture. Nearly the whole of this oxide, whilst still warm, is then gradually poured from the tube and triturated with the organic sample in a dry and warm mortar, after which the mixture is transferred to the combustion tube, and the mortar being rinsed out with a little fresh oxide, which is added to the rest, the tube is, lastly, nearly filled with some warm oxide fresh from the crucible. The contents of the tube are next arranged in a proper position by a few gentle blows, so as to leave a small passage for the evolved gases from the one end of the tube to the other. (See engr.)

The ‘combustion tube’ with its ‘charge’ is next placed in a ‘furnace’ or ‘chauffer’ of thin sheet iron (see middle figure above). Its open end is then connected with a ‘drying tube’ filled with fragments of fused chloride of calcium, and carefully weighed. This tube is, in its turn, connected with a small glass (‘Liebig’s potash bulbs’) containing solution of pure potassa of sp. gr. 1·27, also carefully weighed. The junction with the first is made by means of a perforated cork; that with the second by means of a small tube of india rubber tied with silk, the whole being made quite air-tight. The apparatus is then tested by sucking a few bubbles through the liquid with the dry lips, when, if the level of the solution of potassa in the two legs continues unequal for some minutes, the joints are regarded as perfect. The whole arrangement being complete (see engr.), burning charcoal is now placed in the furnace around the front part of the combustion tube, and when this has become red-hot the screen is slowly moved back, and more burning charcoal is added, until the furthest extremity of the tube has been exposed to its action. (Gas, burned in furnaces specially contrived for the purpose, is now usually employed instead of charcoal.) The firing is so regulated that the gas enters the potassa apparatus in bubbles easily counted, without any violence or inconvenience, and it is kept up as long as gas is extricated. As soon as the apparatus is complete, and the slightest retrograde action is observed, the charcoal is removed from the combustion tube, and the extreme point of this last is broken off. A little air is then sucked through the apparatus in order to seize on any remaining carbonic-acid gas and moisture. The potash apparatus and the chloride of calcium tube are, lastly, detached, and again accurately weighed. The increase in the weight of the first gives the weight of the carbonic acid formed during the combustion; that of the second the weight of the water. The numbers equivalent to any given number of grains, found as above, are converted into the proportions per cent. by simply dividing them by the weight of the organic substance which has been employed in the experiment, and moving the decimal point of the result two figures to the right.

Gr. Gr.

1 gr. of Carbonic acid = 0·27273 of Carbon + 0·72727 of Oxygen,

1 ” Water = 0·11112 ” Hydrogen + 0·88888 ”

2 less 0·38385 equal to 1·61615 ”

b. In applying the preceding method to volatile liquids, it is necessary to enclose them in a small bulb with a narrow neck, instead of mixing them directly with the protoxide of copper. The bulb with its contents is introduced into the combustion tube, and after some 6 or 8 inches of the protoxide is heated to redness, a hot coal is applied near where the bulb is situated, so that the liquid which it contains may be slowly volatilised and passed through the heated mass in the state of vapour, and be thus completely burned. For further information, consult Fresenius’ ‘Chemical Analysis.’

2. Estimation of the NITROGEN—a. Several methods are employed for this purpose, but the only one of general application, and adapted to the non-scientific operator, is that of MM. Varrentrap and Will, described under Guano. To ensure correct results, the caustic soda must be pure, and the lime of good quality and well burnt. The last, having been properly slaked with a little water, holding the former in solution, the mixture is thoroughly dried in an iron vessel, and then heated to full redness in an earthen crucible. The ignited mass is rubbed to powder in a warm dry mortar, and either used at once or carefully preserved from the air. The best quantity of the organic substance to operate on is, in this case, about 10 gr., which must be dried, and accurately weighed with the usual precautions. Bodies very rich in either nitrogen or hydrogen are best mixed with about an equal weight of pure sugar before triturating them with the soda-lime. MM. Varrentrap and Will weigh the nitrogen under the form of double chloride of platinum and ammonium, dried at 212° Fahr. This salt contains 6·272% of nitrogen.

b. M. Péligot has modified the preceding plan by conducting the gaseous matter extricated during the operation into a three-bulb tube charged with a standard solution of sulphuric acid. This he subsequently pours into a beaker-glass, and after tinging it with a single drop of tincture of litmus, he tests it with either a standard aqueous solution of soda or one of lime in sweetened water, after the common method of alkalimetry. The difference between the saturating power of the acid in its normal condition and after its exposure in the condenser indicates the amount of ammonia formed. (See Guano.) Each grain of ammonia contains ·82353 gr. of nitrogen.

Concluding Remarks. The successful application of the above processes requires considerable care and some aptitude in manipulating, as well as the employment of a very delicate balance for determining the weights. A greater error in the weighings than the ⁄250 gr. cannot be tolerated when exact results are desired. The method of MM. Varrentrap and Will for the determination of nitrogen answers admirably for all organic compounds containing it, except those in which it exists under the form of hyponitrous, nitrous, and nitric acids; for which, however, it is not required. When extreme accuracy is aimed at, the atmospheric air in the apparatus, and that absorbed during the preliminary operations by the substances employed, must be expelled before the application of heat to the combustion tube. (See Water, Analysis of.)

OR-MOLU′. [Fr.] This name is given to gold-coloured brass or bronze, so finished off as to have the appearance of gold, or of being gilt; but it is often applied in a more general sense. The French more particularly excel in working in or-molu, and the products of this branch of their industry hold an important position in the art manufactures of France.

To give or-molu its richest appearance, “it is not unfrequently brightened up after ‘dipping’ (that is, cleaning in acid) by means of a scratch-brush (a brush made of very fine brass wire), the action of which helps to produce a very brilliant gold-like surface. It is protected from tarnish by the application of lacquer.” (Ure.)

Ure says or-molu contains more copper and less zinc than ordinary brass, and that although, in many of its applications, the colour is heightened by means of a gold lacquer, in some cases the true colour of the alloy is best preserved after it has been properly developed by means of dilute sulphuric acid.

ORMSKIRK MEDICINE. A nostrum supposed to prevent hydrophobia, so named after the residence of its inventor, Mr Hill, of Ormskirk. It is said to have consisted of the ingredients named below, but nothing certain is known on the subject, as the inventor died without revealing its secret:—Chalk, ⁄2 oz.; Armenian bole, 3 dr.; elecampane root, 1 dr.; alum, 10 gr.; oil of aniseed, 5 or 6 drops; all in fine powder. For a dose, to be taken for 6 successive mornings, in a glass of weak milk and water.

OR′PIMENT. Native yellow sulphide of arsenic. The finest samples used by artists (golden orpiment) come from Persia. See Arsenic (Tersulphuret).

OR′RIS. Syn. Orris root, Florentine r.; Radix iridis, L. The dried rhizome of Iris Florentina, pallida, and Germanica. Sialogogue, irritant, subacrid, and errhine. Chiefly employed to impart a violet odour to oils, tooth powder, snuffs, spirits, &c.; and when cut into peas to keep open issues.

ORSE′DEW. Dutch leaf-gold.

ORSEL′LIC ACID. Two compounds pass under this name—ALPHA-ORSELLIC ACID and BETA-ORSELLIC ACID. They closely resemble each other, and are obtained in a similar manner; the first from the South American variety of Rocella tinctoria, the last from that grown at the Cape.

ORSELLIN′IC ACID. Syn. Lecanoric acid. A compound formed along with picroerythrine, by boiling erythric acid for some time with water. It is also formed by boiling alpha-orsellic acid with water. In both cases, if the ebullition is too long continued, the new acid is wholly or in part converted into orcin.

Prop., &c. Crystallisable; bitter-tasted; soluble in water; its aqueous solution, by exposure to the air, assumes a beautiful purple colour.

ORTHOCLASE. Syn. Potassium felspar. This material, which is a double silicate of potassium and aluminium, enters into the composition of many rocks, and is a common ingredient in granite. It has the following composition:—Silica, 64·8 parts; alumina, 18·4 parts; and potash, 16·8 parts. Part of the potassium is frequently replaced by small quantities of calcium, magnesium, and sodium.

Orthoclase is used for glazing the finest varieties of porcelain, a very intense heat being necessary to effect its fusion in the porcelain furnace. By the Chinese potters it is called petuntze. “The name ‘orthoclase’ is generally restricted to the subtranslucent varieties, there being many subvarieties (founded on variations of lustre, colour, and other differences), of which the following are some of the principal, viz. adularia, a transparent or translucent felspar, met with in granitic rocks (frequently in large crystals); moonstone; sunstone; Murchisonite, erythrite; glassy felspar or lanadine, a transparent variety found in volcanic rocks, containing 4 per cent. of soda or upwards.”

ORTHOPÆ′DIA. In surgery, the straightening, correcting, or curing deformities of children. See Surgery.

OSIER. The osier, which is a species of willow (salix), and is largely used in the construction of baskets and other wickerwork, is extensively cultivated at Nottingham and on the level lands of Cambridgeshire and Huntingdonshire, as well as on the banks of the Thames, Severn, and other rivers. The small islands in these rivers, when planted with osiers, are known as osier HOLTS. But large as is the supply of shoots afforded by the English osier beds, it is insufficient for home consumption; hence great quantities of ozier rods are imported into this country from Holland, Belgium, and France. There are a great variety of oziers, and it is found that those which have been the most highly cultivated yield the toughest and finest wood, and those best adapted for the superior kinds of basket work. The branches of the wilder and less domesticated kind, which are more liable to break, are used for making hoops and coarse baskets. This last variety, which is known as the Common osier (Salix viminalis), grows on the alluvial grounds of Britain, and in other European countries, and is often planted on the banks of rivers to prevent their being washed away.

The following are the principal varieties of osier indigenous to this country, and which yield the most valuable wood:—1. The fine basket osier (Salix Forbyana). 2. The Green-leaved osier, or ORNARD (Salix rubra). 3. The Spanish rod (Salix triandra). 4. The Golden osier, or Golden willow (Salix vitellina).

The osier requires plenty of water, and hence it thrives best in those localities and low grounds which are washed by a river. The soil best adapted for it is a rich but not clayey one. In planting an osier bed an important condition is that the trees should be placed sufficiently closely together, since it is found that, with too much space, the shoots do not develop into long and slender branches, which are so much sought after. The shoots are cut once a year, at any time between the fall of the leaf and the rising of the sap in spring. After being cut they are divided into those destined for brown, and those for white baskets. In the latter ease the rods have to be peeled, but as this operation cannot be performed at once, and the rimous of the bark would be difficult were they allowed to dry, the shoots are placed upright and sustained in that position in wide shallow trenches in about four inches of water, where they are kept until they begin to bud and blossom in the spring, which they do as if they were attached to the parent plant. The peeling is easily done by passing them through an instrument known as a break. If the spring has been a cold one, they have, previous to peeling, to be laid for some time under a layer of litter.

When they have been peeled they are stacked, preparatory to being sold. With the rods intended for brown baskets, no peeling is of course necessary. They are therefore carefully stacked in some place protected from the rain, and diligently watched to see that no heat is set up in them, as is sometimes the case with freshly stacked hay, and which, if not stacked, would cause the rods to rot and render them useless.

In England, besides the native produce, 5000 tons of osiers are annually imported, valued at about £40,000. Of late years the Australian colonists have turned their attention to the cultivation of the osier, in the hopes of supplying the demand for it in Great Britain.

OS′MAZOME. The substance on which the peculiar odour and flavour of boiled meat and broth were formerly supposed to depend.

Prep. From lean meat, minced, and digested in cold water, with occasional pressure; the filtered infusion is gently evaporated nearly to dryness, and then treated with alcohol; the alcoholic tincture is, lastly, evaporated. The product has a brownish-yellow colour, is soluble in water, and its aqueous solution is precipitated by infusion of galls and the mineral astringent salts.

OS′MIUM. Os. A rare metal found associated with the ores of platinum by M. Tennant, in 1803.

These ores mostly consist of a mixture of platinum, palladium, rhodium, osmium, ruthenium and iridium. When they are treated with aqua regia, the insoluble residue which remains, chiefly consists of an alloy and osmium, iridium, ruthenium and rhodium. To separate the osmium from the other metals, Fremy takes advantage of its easy oxidability, and of the volatility of its tetroxide.

In the first part of this process (which is a great improvement upon the methods previously followed) the above residue or alloy is heated to redness in a platinum or porcelain tube. In that part of the tube which projects from the furnace, some fragments of porcelain are placed, and the tube is connected with a series of glass flasks, in which the tetroxide of osmium is condensed as it distils over, any tetroxide that may have escaped condensation is retained by a solution of caustic potash, placed in the last flask of the series. This last flask is connected with an aspirator, by means of which a current of air is drawn through the apparatus.

Before being allowed to enter the heated tube the air is dried by being made to pass through tubes filled with pumice-stone, moistened with sulphuric acid. During the operation the osmium and ruthenium become oxidised, the tetroxide of osmium condenses in needles in the flasks, and mechanically carries forward the deoxide of ruthenium, which is deposited upon the pieces of porcelain.

There are several processes for obtaining osmium in the metallic condition. We give two of the most simple of these. 1. By treating the volatile tetroxide of osmium obtained by Fremy’s method, as above described, with hydrochloric acid and metallic mercury in a closed vessel at 140° C.

The mercurous oxide which is first formed at the expense of the oxygen contained in the tetroxide of osmium is decomposed by the hydrochloric acid, and calomel is produced, together with metallic osmium.

The water and excess of acid are removed by evaporation to dryness, and on heating the residue in a small porcelain retort, the excess of mercury and calomel is drawn off, pure osmium being left behind in the form of a fine powder.

2. Deville and Debray procure it in the metallic form by passing the tetroxide of osmium, in a current of nitrogen, over carbon which has been obtained by passing the vapour of benzine through a porcelain tube at a high temperature. The metal procured by this process is of a fine blue colour, with a tinge of grey.

The specific gravity of osmium in the pulverulent form is about 10; but after having been heated to the fusing point of rhodium in the oxyhydrogen jet, it acquires a density of 21·4, and in the crystalline state it has a sp. gr. of 22·477. Osmium appears to be the least fusible of all the metals.

There are five known oxides of osmium:

1. Osmium protoxide. (OsO). The anhydrous protoxide is of a greyish-black colour. It is insoluble in acids. Its bluish-black hydrate, which dissolves in hydrochloric acid, forms a solution of osmium dichloride of a deep indigo blue colour. The solution absorbs oxygen readily, and becomes converted into the tetrachloride (OsCl4).

2. Osmium sesquioxide. (Os2O3.) This has never been isolated. Its salts, which are uncrystallisable, are of a rose-red colour.

3. Osmium dioxide. (OsO2.) This is black.

4. Osmium trioxide. (OsO3.) This possesses feebly acid properties. It has never been obtained in a separate form; with potassium it forms a crystalline, sparingly soluble compound, having the composition K2OsO4, 2H2O, a dipotassic osmite.

5. Osmium tetroxide. Syn. Osmic Acid (OsO4). This oxide may be obtained by operating, according to Fremy’s process, on the ores of platinum, as already described. It is also formed when metallic osmium is heated with potassic nitrate, or roasted in air. It crystallises in colourless, transparent, flexible needles, which fuse easily, and dissolve readily in water. Its aqueous solution, however, does not redden litmus. Tetroxide of osmium is converted into vapour at about 100°C. The fumes are excessively irritating and deleterious, and have an odour somewhat like that of chlorine. This oxide unites with alkalies, but not with acids. It is given off as tetroxide when the alkaline solution which contains it is boiled. If applied to the skin, this oxide becomes partially reduced, and imparts a permanent black colour to the skin, due to the deposition of metallic osmium. With tincture of galls its solutions give a distinctive blue precipitate.

There are four chlorides of osmium, the best known of which are the dichloride and the tetrachloride.

1. Osmium dichloride. (OsCl2). Syn. Osmious dichloride, Osmium protochloride. This is green, and sublimes in green needles. It may be obtained by heating metallic osmium in a current of dry chlorine gas. It forms double salts, which are of a green colour.

2. Osmium tetrachloride. (OsCl4). Syn. Osmic tetrachloride, Osmium bichloride. This may be procured in the same manner as the dichloride, using, however, an excess of chlorine. It occurs as a red, crystalline, fusible, deliquescent powder. It is more volatile than the dichloride. Both the dry chloride and the tetrachloride of osmium are dissolved by water, which decomposes them into tetroxide of osmium, hydrochloric acid and the metal.

OSTEOCOL′LA. A rough sort of glue or gelatin obtained from bones by digestion in dilute hydrochloric acid, to remove their earthy matter, and afterwards acting on the residuum with water at a high temperature, until it is wholly dissolved.

OTAL′GIA. Pain in the ear. See Earache.

O′′THYL. In chemistry, a radicle having the formula C2H3O, assumed by Professor Williamson to exist in acetic acid.

OT′TO OF ROSES. See Oils (Volatile).

OVALBU′MEN. White of egg; to distinguish it from seralbumen, or the albumen of the serum of the blood.

O′VENS. A very ingenious and useful improvement in the apparatus for baking was introduced some years ago by Mr Sclater, of Carlisle. It consists in causing the articles to be baked to traverse a heated earthenware tube. This tube forms the oven. It is of considerable length, and the biscuits or other articles are slowly traversed through it, from end to end, at such a rate as will allow of the baking being completed during the passage. The biscuits are carried on trays, set on travelling chains; or the trays are made into an endless web or chain. The oven is thus entirely self-acting, and the articles demand no attention whatever from the attendants, whilst the system combines superior economy with the best results. A ‘pyrometer,’ or heat indicator, is attached externally, so that the attendant can regulate the heat with great facility. The object of these improvements is to reduce the cost of baking, and to improve the appearance of the baked articles. The apparatus is applicable as well to the baking of articles of clay or earthenware as to bread or biscuits.

Of the ovens now in common use by the bakers, that known as the ‘hot-water oven’ is perhaps the best; not merely in reference to economy, but also with reference to its superior cleanliness, and the ease with which the articles operated on may be turned out of that delicate yellowish-brown tint for which the bread of the Viennese and Parisian bakers is so celebrated. See Baking, Bread, &c.

OWNER. For the purposes of the Public Health Act this term is thus defined:—“‘Owner’ means the person for the time being receiving the rack-rent of the lands or premises in connection with which the word is used, whether on his own account, or as agent or trustee for any other person, or who would so receive the same if such lands or premises were let at a rack-rent.”

OX. The Bos Taurus (Linn.), one of the ruminantia. In its more limited sense the word is restricted to the emasculated animal. The flesh, milk, skin, horns, bones, and blood of this animal are all serviceable to man. Goldbeater’s skin is prepared from the peritoneal membrane of its cæcum. Its blood, fat, horns, and excrement were among the simples of the Ph. L. 1618. See Beef, Gall, Milk, and below.

Ox-Gall. Syn. Ox-bile; Fel bovinum, F. Bovis, F. tauri, L. Crude ox-gall is noticed at page 774. Refined ox-gall (Fel bovinum purificatum) is prepared as under:—

1. Fresh ox-gall is allowed to repose for 12 or 15 hours, after which the clear portion is decanted, and evaporated to the consistence of a thick syrup by the heat of a water bath; it is then spread thinly on a dish, and exposed in a warm situation near the fire, or to a current of dry air, until nearly dry; it is, lastly, put into wide-mouthed bottles or pots, and carefully tied over with bladder. In this state it will keep for years in a cool situation. For use a little is dissolved in water.

2. Fresh gall, 1 pint; boil, skim, add powdered alum, 1 oz.; boil again till the alum is dissolved, and when sufficiently cool pour it into a bottle, and loosely cork it down. In a similar manner boil and skim another pint of gall, add to it 1 oz. of common salt, and again boil, cool, and bottle it, as above. In three months decant the clear from both bottles, and mix them in equal quantities; the clear portion must then be separated from the coagulum by subsidence or filtration.

Uses, &c. Both the above are employed by artists to fix chalk and pencil drawings before tinting them, and to remove the greasiness from ivory, tracing paper, &c. The first is also used in medicine.

OX′ALATE. Syn. Oxalas, L. A salt of oxalic acid. The soluble oxalates are easily formed by directly neutralising a solution of oxalic acid with a metallic hydrate, carbonate, or oxide; and the insoluble oxalates, by double decomposition. See Oxalic acid and the respective bases.

OXAL′IC ACID. H2C2O4. Syn. Acidum oxalicum, L. This substance was discovered by Bergman in 1776. It occurs both in the mineral and organic kingdoms, and is produced artificially by the action of nitric acid on sugar, starch, woody fibre, &c. It abounds in wood-sorrel, in which it exists in combination with a little potassa. With the exception of gum and sugar of milk all starchy and saccharine substances yield oxalic acid when treated with nitric acid at a somewhat elevated temperature.

Prep. 1. From sugar:—

a. Nitric acid (sp. gr. 1·42), 5 parts, diluted with water, 10 parts, is poured on sugar, 1 part, and the mixture is digested at a gentle heat as long as gaseous products are evolved; the liquid is then concentrated by evaporation until it deposits crystals on cooling; the crystals, after being drained and freed from superfluous moisture, are redissolved in the smallest possible quantity of boiling water, and the solution is set aside to crystallise. The residuary ‘mother-water’ is treated with a little fresh nitric acid (say 1⁄2 part) at a gentle heat, after which it is evaporated, as before, for a second crop of crystals. This process is repeated until the solution is exhausted. The brownish-coloured crystals thus obtained are allowed to effloresce by exposure to dry air, and are then redissolved and recrystallised. By repeating this treatment they yield pure colourless oxalic acid at the third crystallisation.

b. (Schlesinger.) Sugar (dried at 257° Fahr.), 4 parts, and nitric acid (sp. gr. 1·38), 33 parts, are digested together, as before, and as soon as the evolution of gas ceases the liquid is boiled down to one sixth of its original volume, and set aside to crystallise. The whole process may be completed in about 2 hours, and in 1 vessel, and yields of beautifully crystallised oxalic acid, at the first crystallisation, a quantity equal to 56 to 60% of the weight of the sugar employed.

c. (Ure.) Nitric acid (sp. gr. 1·4), 4 parts, and sugar 1 part, are digested together by the heat of a water bath, and as soon as gas ceases to be extricated the vessel is removed from the heat, and set aside to cool and crystallise. The use of a little sulphuric acid along with the nitric acid contributes to increase the product.

2. From POTATO- or DEXTRIN-SUGAR:—(Nyren.) From the washed pulp of potatoes, boiled for some hours with water, q. s., in a leaden vessel, with about 2% of oil of vitriol, until the fecula of the pulp is converted into saccharine matter, shown by the liquid being no longer turned blue by iodine; the whole is then filtered through horse-hair bags or strainers, and the filtrate is evaporated until its density is such that a gallon of it weighs 14 to 14⁄2 lbs.; in this state it is converted into oxalic acid by treatment with nitric acid in the way already described. A similar process was patented some years ago by Messrs Davy, Macmurdo, and Co.

3. From SAWDUST:—(Roberts, Dale, & Co. Patent.) This process is the one now usually employed for the manufacture of oxalic acid on the large scale. It is based on Gay-Lussac’s discovery, that wood and similar substances are converted into oxalic acid by fusion with caustic alkali. The practical details of the process are thus given by Dr Murray Thomson, of Edinburgh:—(1) Hydrate of sodium and hydrate of potassium, mixed in the proportion of 2 equivalents of the former to 1 equivalent of the latter, are dissolved, and solution evaporated until of specific gravity 1·35; sawdust is now stirred in until a thick paste results. (2) This paste is then heated on iron plates, during which it is constantly stirred; water is first given off; the mass then swells; inflammable gases, hydrogen and carburetted hydrogen, are evolved, along with a peculiar aromatic odour. When the temperature has been maintained at 400° for one or two hours, this stage of the process is complete; the mass has now a dark colour, and contains only 1 to 4 per cent. of oxalic acid, and about ·5 per cent. of formic acid. The bulk, therefore, of the mass at this stage consists of a substance whose nature is not yet known, but which is intermediate between the cellulose and oxalic acid. (3) The next stage consists in a simple extension of the last, in which the mass is heated till quite dry, care being taken that no charring takes place. It now contains the maximum quantity of oxalic acid, 28 to 30 per cent. (4.) This oxalic acid now exists as oxalate of potassium and sodium in the grey powder resulting from stage 3. This powder is now washed on a filter with solution of carbonate of sodium, which seems to have the singular and unexpected power of decomposing the oxalate of potassium and converting it into oxalate of sodium. At all events, it is quite true that all traces of potassa are washed out with the solution of carbonate of sodium. The only explanation that occurs to account for this unusual decomposition is that oxalate of sodium is a more insoluble salt than oxalate of potassium, and therefore may be formed by preference. (5) This oxalate of sodium is now decomposed by boiling milk of lime. Oxalate of calcium falls as a precipitate, and soda remains in solution. This soda is boiled down, and again made use of with fresh sawdust. This recovery of alkali is also practised with the potassium salt which filters through in the last stage. (6) The oxalate of calcium is now decomposed in leaden vessels with sulphuric acid. Sulphate of calcium is precipitated, and oxalic acid is in solution, which is now evaporated, and the acid separates in crystals, which now need only to be recrystallised to make them quite pure, and fit the acid for all the purposes for which it is employed. Prod. By this ingenious process 2 lbs. of sawdust are made to yield 1 lb. of oxalic acid.

Prop., &c. Colourless, transparent, prismatic crystals, possessing a powerful sour taste and acid reaction; these effloresce in warm dry air, with loss of 28% (2 eq.) of water, and then form a white powder, which may be sublimed in part, without decomposition; the crystals are soluble in 8 parts of water (9 parts, “and form a solution of sp. gr. 1·045,”—Ure) at 60° Fahr., in their own weight or less of boiling water, and in about 4 parts of alcohol; with the acids, it forms salts called oxalates.

Tests.—1. Solution of chloride of barium occasions a white precipitate in neutral solutions of oxalic acid (oxalates), which is soluble in both nitric and hydrochloric acid.—2. Solution of nitrate of silver, under like circumstances, gives a white precipitate, which is soluble in nitric acid, and in ammonia, and which, when heated to redness, yields pure silver.—3. Lime water and solutions of all the soluble salts of calcium produce white precipitates, even in highly dilute solutions of oxalic acid or of the oxalates, which is freely soluble in both nitric and hydrochloric acid, but is nearly insoluble in either acetic or oxalic acid, and is converted into carbonate of calcium upon ignition.—4. Oxalic acid (or an oxalate), when heated, in the dry state, with oil of vitriol in excess, is converted into carbonate anhydride and carbonic oxide; the former produces a white precipitate with lime water, and the latter, when kindled, burns with a faint blue flame. Of the above tests, solution of sulphate of calcium (vide No. 3) is the most delicate and characteristic.—5. It is distinguished from Epsom salt by its acid reaction, its solubility in rectified spirit, its complete dissipation by heat, and by emitting a slight crackling noise during its solution in water. See Magnesia (Sulphate).

Uses, Pois., &c. Oxalic acid is chiefly used in the arts of calico printing and bleaching; to remove ink-spots and iron moulds from linen, and to clean boot-tops. It is extremely poisonous. The treatment, in cases of its having been swallowed, is to promote vomiting, and to administer chalk, whiting, or magnesia, mixed up with water, in considerable quantities. The use of the alkalies or their carbonates must be avoided, as the compounds which these form with oxalic acid are nearly as poisonous as the acid itself. The remaining treatment is noticed under Acids. In poisoning by oxalic acid the nervous system is almost always affected, and the patients experience numbness, formication of the extremities, and sometimes convulsions, so that the symptoms somewhat approach those produced by strychnia, from which it is distinguished by its corrosive action on the tissues, and its effect upon the heart and circulatory system.

Concluding Remarks. The manufacture of oxalic acid is an important one. The process of Roberts, Dale, and Co. has so much cheapened the price of oxalic acid, that in 1851 it sold for 16d. per lb., and in 1864 it only cost from 8d. to 9d. per lb. More than half the amount of oxalic acid used all over the world is now made from sawdust. In manufacturing the acid from sugar, on the large scale, the first part of the process is either conducted in salt-glazed stoneware pipkins of the capacity of 3 to 5 quarts each (which are about two thirds filled and set in a water bath), or in wooden troughs lined with lead, and heated by means of a coil of steam-pipe. On the small scale, a glass retort or capsule is commonly employed. The most appropriate temperature appears to be about 125° Fahr. and the best evidence of the satisfactory progress of the decomposition is the free but not violent evolution of gas, without the appearance of dense red fumes, or, at all events, any marked quantity of them. When these are disengaged with violence and rapidity, a greater quantity of the newly formed acid suffers decomposition, and flies off in a gaseous form. The sp. gr. of the nitric acid commonly used on the large scale ranges from 1·22 to 1·27 equivalent quantities being taken. The evaporation is preferably conducted by the heat of steam. The evolved nitrous vapours are usually allowed to escape, but this loss may be in part avoided by conveying them into a chamber filled with cold damp air, and containing a little water, when they will absorb oxygen, and be recondensed into fuming nitric acid. Various modifications of this plan have been patented. That of Messrs McDougall and Rawson, which is one of the simplest and best, consists in passing the mixed nitrous fumes through a series of vessels containing water, and connected together by tubes, so that the fumes which collect at the top of one vessel are conveyed to nearly the bottom of the next one, and then, bubbling up through the water, mix with the air, a supply of which is provided for the purpose. The nitrous fumes are thus brought alternately into contact with air and water, and by the time they reach the last vessel are reconverted into nitric acid. Another plan is to pass the mixed nitrous vapours through a vessel stuffed with some porous substance, as pumice-stone or pounded glass, conjointly with a supply of steam from a boiler and a supply of oxygen by a blowing machine.

The product obtained by skilful manipulation are—from good dry sugar, 128%; from good treacle, 107%.—“One cwt. of good treacle will yield about 116 lbs. of marketable oxalic acid, and the same weight of good brown sugar may be calculated to produce about 140 lbs. of acid.” “As a general rule, 5 cwt. of saltpetre, or an equivalent of nitrate of soda, with 2⁄2 cwt. of sulphuric acid, will generate sufficient nitric acid to decompose 1 cwt. of good sugar, and yield, as above, 140 lbs. of fair marketable oxalic acid, free from superfluous moisture.” (Ure.) On the small scale, 5 parts of sugar yield nearly 6 parts of crystallised acid.

Chemically pure oxalic acid is best prepared by precipitating a solution of binoxalate of potassium with a solution of acetate of lead, washing the precipitate with water, decomposing it, whilst still moist, with dilute sulphuric acid or sulphuretted hydrogen, and gently evaporating the filtrate so that crystals may form as it cools.

OXALURIA. Also known as the oxalic-acid diathesis; is an abnormal condition of the system, marked by the presence in the urine of crystals of oxalate of lime. The crystals occur as minute transparent octahedra, and sometimes in the form of dumb-bells. They can be easily recognised under a microscope with a power of from 200 to 250 diameters, when they present a very beautiful appearance. They differ from phosphatic deposits in being insoluble in acetic acid. Their presence is mostly indicated by the appearance in the urine of a cloud of mucus, which forms after the urine has stood some little time.