618 AGENTS OF ANIMAL ORIGIN • 



Sevum. Suet 



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Synonym. — Sevum prgeparatum, B.P.; mutton suet, E.; 

 suif, Fr.; talg, hammeltalg, G.; sebum, P.G. 



The internal fat of the abdomen of Ovis aries Linne 

 (class Mammalia ; order Ruminantia), purified by melting 

 and straining. 



Prop€7't{es. — A white, solid fat, nearly inodorous, and 

 having a bland taste when fresh, but becoming rancid on 

 prolonged exposure to the air. Insoluble in water or cold 

 alcohol ; soluble in about 60 parts of ether, and slowly in 2 

 parts of benzin. 



Constituents. — 1, olein ; 2, stearin ; 3, palmitin ; 4, hircin. 



Adeps Lan^ Hydrosus. Hydrous Wool Fat. (U. S. P.) 



Synonym. — Lanolin, oesypum. 



The purified fat of the wool of sheep (Ovis aries, Linne ; 

 class Mammalia ; order Ruminantia), mixed with not more 

 than 30 per cent, of water. 



Properties. — A yellowish- white, or nearly white ointment- 

 like mass, having a faint, peculiar odor. Insoluble in water, 

 but miscible with twice its weight of the latter, without 

 losing its ointment-like character. 



Constituents. — 1, cholesterin, CjgH^s (OH); 2, ethers of 

 oleic, stearic, palmitic and other acids. 



action and use of lard, suet, and hydrous wool fat. 



Lard is used mainly as a basis of ointments and cerates^ 

 Benzoin is commonly added to it to prevent or retard ran- 

 cidity. Lard is inferior to petrolatum as a lubricant. It is 

 rarely given internally as an antidote to caustic alkalies, and 

 as a demulcent 



Suet is contained in certain ointments and plasters. It 

 is harder than lard and becomes rancid on prolonged 

 exposure. Lanolin is not subject to rancidity, but possesses 

 no particular medicinal action. It is indicated where 



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