CETACEUM 443 



USES. As a perfume it is highly prized. It possesses very uncertain med- 

 ical properties and is very rarely administered as a remedial agent. 



616. OLEUM MORRHU.E;. COD-LIVER OIL. A fixed oil obtained from the 

 fresh livers of Ga'dus mor'rhua Linne 1 , or of other species of Gadus (class, 

 Pisces; order, Teleostei; family, Gadidas). For tests see U.S.P. Description: 

 A pale yellow thin oily liquid. Peculiar, rancid odor; bland, fishy taste. 

 Specific gravity at I5C. (59F.) 0.922 to 0.927. Should be kept in dry, 

 well-stoppered bottles. Constituents: Chiefly olein, palmitin, and stearin. 

 The oil also contains dissolved in it minute quantities of the halogen elements, 

 iodine, bromine, and chlorine, with phosphorus and sulphur. A peculiar 

 substance named gaduin is also claimed to have been found. A crystalline 

 substance, morrhuol, a compound body containing phosphorus, iodine, and 

 bromine, is also said to be among the "active principles" of cod-liver oil. 

 Action and Uses: A nutritive agent, generally of easy assimilation. It has 

 long been used as a stimulant and alterative in rheumatic and strumous dis- 

 eases. In pulmonary consumption it has for a long time enjoyed a great 

 reputation. Dose: a tablespoonful (J^ fl. oz.) three or four times a day. 



617. CETACEUM. SPERMACETI 

 SPERMACETI 



A peculiar concrete, fatty substance obtained from the head of the sperm whale, 

 Physe'ter macrocepha'lus Linn6 (class, Mammalia; order, Cetacea). 



DESCRIPTION. A pearly-white, somewhat translucent, waxy mass, but of 

 a somewhat granular texture, fusing at about 4SC. (ii3F.). Odor 

 faint and bland, taste mild. Insoluble in water, soluble in 50 parts 

 of boiling alcohol; also in ether, chloroform, and carbon-disulphide. 

 It becomes yellow and rancid on exposure to air. 



CONSTITUENTS. Mainly cetin (cetyl palmitate, doH 33 , CieHaiC^), with 

 small amounts of other fatty compounds. 



USES. Mainly as a base for cerates and ointments. 



618. MEL. HONEY 



HONEY 





 A saccharine secretion deposited in the honeycomb by the bee, 



A'pis mellif'era Linn6 (Fam. Apidae). 



USES. Mainly as a vehicle for remedial agents. 



The honeycomb, from which the honey is drained, is the source of 

 the two pharmaceutical products: 



618 a. CERA. FLAVA. YELLOW WAX. BEESWAX. Obtained by slicing 

 the honeycomb, draining it thoroughly, melting the residue after 

 impurities have subsided, and allowing the melted liquid to cool. A 

 yellowish or brownish-yellow solid, having an odor suggesting honey, 

 and a rather agreeable taste. It melts at about 63C. (145.4^.). 



