*5* 



EARDWICKE'S SCIENCE-GOSSIP. 



retained genus Balaena, though of a different sub- 

 order from the Catodon, was rightly attributed the 

 production of " whalebone." 



Succinum cinereum, S. griseum, ambragrisea or 

 ambergris, according to Hooper (p. 40) is " a con- 

 crete, bituminous substance, of a soft and tenacious 

 consistence, marked with black and yellow spots, and 

 of an agreeable and strong smell when heated or 

 rubbed. It is found in very irregular masses floating 

 on the sea near the Molucca Islands, Madagascar, 

 Sumatra, on the coast of Coromandel, Brazil, 

 America, China and Japan. ^Several American 

 fishermen assured Dr. Schwediawer that they often 

 found this substance either among the excrements of 

 the Physeter macrocephalus, or in its stomach, or in a 

 vessel near the stomach. The medical qualities of 

 ambergris are stomachic, cordial and antispasmodic. 

 It is very seldom used in this country." Diambra 

 w-as "an aromatic composition in which was 

 ambergris." 



Although of unfrequent use at the close of the 

 century, this article often occurs in the earlier 

 pharmacies. Bate and Salmon hand it on as an 

 ingredient of the catholical " Goa stone " (p. 7 J 4)f to 

 which I shall have occasion later on to recur. The 



Spermaceti (known also as Sevum ceti and 

 Cetaceum), had been included in the various materia- 

 medica from an early date. It was classed by Cullen 

 and Murray among the demulcents. Buchan, in his 



Fig. 86.— The Sea-Calf. 



From " Nature Display "d," Plate 23.) 

 will be 



preparation of "Spirit of Ambergreese' 

 found on p. 36 of Bate's " Dispensatory." 



Salmon's Tinctura ambrccgrisie (p. 220) was 

 administered for nervous depression, etc., mixed with 

 a " convenient cordial, in a fainting fit or sickness at 

 heart." 



Of a more constant service in medicine was the 

 spermaceti yielded by the same creature as was 

 ambergris. Hooper describes it (p. 756) as "an 

 oily, concrete, crystalline, semi-transparent matter, 

 obtained from the cavity of the cranium of several 

 species of whale, but principally from the Physeter 

 macroeephalus or spermaceti whale. It was formally 

 very highly esteemed, and many virtues were 

 attributed to it, but it is now chiefly employed in 

 affections of the lungs, prima vies, kidneys, etc., as a 

 softening remedy mixed with mucilages. It is also 

 employed by surgeons as an emollient in form of 

 cerates, ointments, etc." Hooper retains the 

 celebrated Linimenlum album, Unguentum eetacei, or 

 U. spermaceti, "a simple emollient ointment " com- 

 pounded of spermaceti, wax and olive oil (p. S30), 

 and the Ceratum album or C. spermaiis ceti, a mild, 

 emollient, cooling and unctuous cerate, composed of 

 the same ingredients (p. 187). 







M 

 E 



comprehensive handbook, which still has a circula- 

 tion, places it (Apdx. p. 8.) among the simples which 

 he considered "ought to be kept in readiness for 

 private practice." He places the white ointments 



