tain an article having a melting-point anywhere from 100° to 120° F., such crude material can be obtained easily, abundantly, and at a fair price, and that if a demand should be created for such an article, the demand will be quickly supplied.

The above conclusions are given as the opinions of the author, derived from careful thought and experiment in the past, and now confirmed by observations and experiments under circumstances where it would seem that just conclusions might be formed.-New Rem., May, 1881, pp. 130-133.

Steatina-A New Substitute for Ointments and Plasters.-These are preparations of about the consistence of wax, and intended for external use in the place of ointments and plasters, which are, the one too soft and the other too hard for obtaining the full effects of the medi cinal ingredients. The old name cerata has been discarded, since many of the compounds do not contain wax.

Melt the first three articles together, and, when congealing, add the extract, previously triturated with a mixture of equal parts of water, alcohol, and glycerin until of a syrupy consistence. Mix thoroughly. In the same manner prepare steatinum conii, steat. digitalis, and steat. hyoscyami.

Steatinum Chlorali Camphoratum.

R. Chlorali hydratis,

Camphoræ, aa,

Mix in a vial at a moderate heat until liquefied, then add

p. 2.

Melt together, keep in a water-bath, and decant. To the purified mass, p. 25, add

Empl. plumbi solidi,
Extracti opii,

.

p. 15. p. 1,

and glycerin,

the latter previously dissolved in a mixture of water, 2 p. ; alcohol, 1 p.;

In like manner prepare steat. cum oleo cadino and steat. c. oleo

Mix and add to the following, previously melted together at a low temperature:

Steatinum Mercuriale.

R. Hydrargyri,

Ungt. hydrargyri (old),

p. 25.

p. 5.

Triturate until globules of mercury are no longer visible; then mix with the nearly cold mixture of

Larger amounts of aqueous saline solutions cannot be permanently incorporated with cerates, and are apt to undergo decomposition with

plasters. If incorporation of the dry salts be inadmissible, a mass of suitable consistence may be prepared from gelatin, glycerin, and water, and applied by saturating with it muslin or gauze. Substances rendering gelatin insoluble cannot be applied in this manner.-Am. Jour. Phar., August, 1881, p. 404, 405; from Ber. Klin. Wochenschr., 1881, No. 21, and Phar. Centralh.

Mercurial Ointment-Preparation.-To the many processes for the rapid preparation of this ointment the following, recommended by Mr. Phil. Hoglan, may be added: Mix 2 ounces of old mercurial ointment and 2 ounces of suet together. Add to the mixture 12 ounces of mercury in three separate portions, and triturate rapidly after each addition till the globules disappear, aiding the extinguishment of the mercury by adding during each trituration 15 drops of ether. For this process the author only required 15 minutes. Then add a melted and strained mixture of 4 ounces of suet and 6 ounces of lard, and triturate this mixture until cool.-Amer. Jour. Pharm., December, 1881, p. 604.

Referring to Mr. Hoglan's process, Mr. J. H. Redsecker observes that any rancid fat will answer as well as old mercurial ointment, but that either is objectionable, since the new ointment will soon become rancid throughout. To this objection Professor Maisch replies that rancid mercurial ointment is not absolutely necessary, since Buchner (1834) and more recently E. Dieterich (Proceedings, 1880, p. 42) have shown that a perfectly fresh ointment may be used quite as well for the extinguishment of the mercury.-Ibid., February, 1882, p. 55.

Mercurial Ointment-Rapid Preparation.-A correspondent of the "Pharm. Zeitsch. f. Russl." sends the following convenient method of making mercurial ointment: Rub 6 pounds of mercury, 6 ounces glycerin, 1 ounce water, and 1 ounce gum arabic, in a mortar until the mercury globules have disappeared; then add the other ingredients, as usual. The process requires about two hours.-Chem. Journ., March 17, 1882, p. 161.

Mercurial Ointment-Examination.-Instead of removing the fat by means of benzin, ether, or chloroform, C. Thein proposes the following process: 6 grams of the ointment are placed upon the bottom of a rather narrow test-tube; 2 or 3 grams of magnesium sulphate or other neutral salt are added with enough distilled water to nearly fill the test-tube, and the whole is heated until the fat which rises to the surface has become clear. The liquids are now allowed to cool, a splinter of wood being inserted in the fat, by means of which the latter after it has solidified may be easily lifted out of the test-tube after slightly warming it. The fat is then weighed, and the mercury, which has settled to the bottom, may likewise be weighed after washing it

with a little ether or chloroform, to remove the last traces of fat retained by the metal.-Am. Jour. Pharm., June, 1882, p. 309, from Pharm. Ztg., No. 21, 1882.

Citrine Ointment-Preparation. Mr. R. De Puy succeeds well in making the preparation by observing the following directions: Dissolve 4 ounces mercury in 12 fluidounces C. P. nitric acid. Heat 8 fluidounces neatsfoot oil and 24 pounds (Av.? Rep.) lard to 180°; then add the dissolved mercury, all at once. Commence stirring and continue doing so until the ointment is cold or about the consistency of molasses. Towards the latter end of the process the vessel may be set in one containing cold water to hasten the cooling. The author wishes to impress the importance, in fact necessity, to stir continually from the beginning to the completion of the process. The product is bright lemon yellow, without disagreeable smell, and keeps well.-Can. Pharm. Jour., August, 1881, p. 3.

Diachylon Ointment.-Improved Formula.-According to Dr. L. A. Dubring, Mr. Eisner prepares an excellent diachylon ointment as follows: One part of freshly precipitated (from acetate of lead) pure white hydrated oxide of lead is rubbed with two parts of water, and mixed well with six parts of the best Lucca olive oil. It should be stirred for about two hours over a hot-water bath near the boilingpoint, and cooled with constant stirring until the proper consistency is obtained. While cooling a drachm of oil of lavender to the half pound of ointment is added. This ointment contains a definite quantity of oxide of lead, has a neutral reaction, can be kept in a good condition for some time, and constitutes a smooth, whitish, elegant preparation.Oil, Paint, and Drug Rep., July 13, 1881, p. 74, from Phil. Med. Times.

Unguentum Plumbi Hebræ-Preparation.-A. Popowski prepares Hebra's ointment as follows:

Finely powdered litharge 2 parts, olive oil 9 parts, and water 3 parts, are boiled together until the ointment is nearly white, when it is poured into a deep porcelain dish, and this is kept without disturbance at the temperature of a water-bath for 10 or 12 hours. The dish is then kept in a cool place; after solidification, the ointment is removed by slightly warming the dish, and the lowest and uppermost strata, which are impure, are removed. The pure middle translucent stratum is remelted without stirring, and poured into gallipots of suitable size; a layer of glycerin is poured upon the surface, and the ointment preserved for use in a cool place.-Am. Jour. Phar., August, 1881, p. 405, from Phar. Zeitsch. f. Russ.

Cold Cream-Preparation.-A writer in "Drug. and Chem." (June, 1882, p. 247–248) discusses the conditions necessary to the production of