SPERMACETI 693 



a strong empyreumatic smell. It is antiseptic, causes 

 contraction of the vessels when locally applied, and is a 

 parasiticide. Its properties ally it to the phenols. It has 

 been used by French and German veterinarians for the 

 destruction of the parasites of scab and mange ; and as a 

 stimulant and resolvent for swollen joints, strains, and con- 

 tusions. For such purposes one part is dissolved in ten of 

 oil or lanoline, and rubbed in daily for several days. Ich- 

 thyol liniment is made with ten parts dissolved in thirty 

 parts each of alcohol, ether, and distilled water. Thiol is a 

 synthetic preparation of hydrocarbons obtained in a similar 

 manner to ichthyol, for which, in the treatment of skin dis- 

 eases, it is sometimes substituted. Thiol occurs in powder 

 I and in liquid, and is employed in the form of ointment (con- 

 taining 10 to 50 per cent.), and of dusting powder with 

 starch or other desiccant. The powder is soluble in water 

 and in alcohol. Tumenol (sulphotumenolic acid) is obtained 

 from mineral oils by treating the unsaturated hydrocarbons 

 with sulphuric acid and sodium chloride. The resulting 

 i tumenol-sulphonic acid on being further treated yields 

 tumenol-sulphone or tumenol oil, from which is prepared 

 the pharmaceutical powder. Tumenol is dark, odourless, 

 j slightly bitter, and soluble in water. In pruritus, eczema, 

 and other skin diseases it is employed in the forms of oint- 

 ment, dusting powder, and lotion (5 to 10 per cent.). The 

 solution may be made with water, glycerin, or alcohol 

 (Coblentz). 



SPERMACETI 



CETACETJM. A concrete, fatty substance obtained, mixed 

 with oil, from the head of the sperm whale (Physeter 

 macro-cephalus). It is separated from the oil by filtra- 

 tion and pressure, and afterwards purified (B.P.). 



Spermaceti is found in the cells of the large quadrangular 

 head of the sperm whale, which inhabits the Pacific and 

 Indian Oceans. It is extracted by openings made through 

 the skull, and occasionally by boiling the cellular and 

 adipose tissues. When purified, it is a translucent, pearly- 

 white, crystalline fat, tasteless, odourless, tough, and diffi- 



