284 MATERIA MEDIC A AND THERAPEUTICS. 



Sapo DllTUS, Hard Soap. Made with Olive Oil and Soda. 

 Preparations. 



a. Emplastrnm Cerati Saponis. 



b. Emplastrum Saponis 1 in 7$. 



c. Linimentmn Potassii lodidi cum Sapone. See lodutn. 



d. Liniment"Tv Saponis. 1 in 10. 



Contained in Linimentum Opii. 



e. Pilula Saponis Composita. Opium, | oz. ; Hard Soap, 2 oz. ; 



Water, q.s. See Opium. 



Hard Soap is also used in the preparation of many pills, several 

 plasters, and Extractum Colocynthidis Composition. 



Sapo Mqllis. Soft Soap. Made with Olive Oil and 



Potash. 

 Sapo Mollis is contained in Linimentum Terebinthinae. 



ACTION AND USES. 

 1. IMMEDIATE LOCAL ACTION AND USES. 



Externally applied, olive oil renders the skin smoother 

 softer, and more flexible. It is used to facilitate friction over 

 enlarged bones, or stiff joints ; and in the form of liniments, 

 to bring active bodies, such as ammonia and lime, more tho- 

 roughly into contact with the surface in a mild form. It 

 is also an excellent mechanical application to burns and certain 

 skin diseases, by coating the surface and excluding air, and in 

 the treatment of the effects of corrosive acids and alkalies. 

 Inunctions with olive oil to which ^th part of carbolic acid 

 has been added, should be ordered in the desquamative stage of 

 scarlet fever, as a disinfectant measure. Oil rubbed into 

 the skin is absorbed by the lymphatics, and has a distinctly 

 nutritive effect, of which use may be made in wasted children 

 when the stomach rejects food. 



Internally, oils may be similarly given in corrosive poison- 

 ing. In the stomach they are not specially changed ; in the 

 intestines they are partly emulsified, partly saponified, their 

 glycerine being set free, and their fatty acid combining with 

 free alkalies to form soaps. The molecular basis of the chyle 

 is thus increased by this emulsion and soapy compound. In 

 many persons excess of oil causes dyspepsia and loathing, 

 especially in warm weather ; and in most subjects some relaxa- 

 tion of the bowels or diarrhoea. As an Enema, olive oil is 

 laxative, and is used in obstruction of the bowels. 



