436 COAL-TAB 



dissolves bromine, iodine, sulphur iodide, and carbolic acid, 

 as well as fixed and volatile oils and alkaloids, and is a 

 serviceable base for ointments, liniments, and pomades. 

 Vaseline is not absorbed by the skin, and it is preferable 

 to lanoline or lard in ointments which are intended to act 

 superficially. It has the advantage of being nearly free 

 from greasiness ; it is not oxidisable, and hence does not 

 become rancid. Ointments prepared with it accordingly 

 keep better than those made with animal or vegetable 

 fats. Neutral or white vaseline is used as a lubricant and 

 emollient for irritable, inflamed, or blistered mucous and 

 skin surfaces. It is used for making up boluses, and as a 

 protective for leather and cutlery. 



Rangoon and Barbados tars were at one time prescribed 

 in chest diseases and as anti-emetics, but are not now used 

 internally. Externally, they are applied for the same 

 purposes as wood-tar, and particularly in the treatment 

 of skin complaints, thrush, canker, and other diseases of the 

 feet. Coal-tar differs from Barbados tar in having a stronger 

 and more offensive sulphurous smell, but it deserves its 

 popular credit as an antiseptic and stimulant adhesive for 

 diseases of the feet. The alcoholic solution of coal-tar, 

 sold as liquor carbonis detergens, is useful in eczema, one 

 or two drachms in a pint of warm water being applied 

 either alone or with liquor plumbi diacetatis. The B.P. 

 liquor picis carbonis, prepared with two ounces of soap- 

 bark, twenty ounces of rectified spirit, and four ounces of 

 coal-tar, is also used for diseases of the skin. 



