COCOA-BUTTER. 85 



It contains, according to M. Boussingault, 

 carbon, .766 ; hydrogen, .119 ; oxygen, .115. 

 Cocoa-butter formerly played a tolerably 

 important part in medicine, by reason of 

 the numerous properties attributed to it. 

 It was called a pectoral, an expectorant, a 

 humective, a demulcent, an emollient, a 

 refrigerative, etc., etc. It was prescribed 

 for persons suffering from or suspected of 

 chest diseases, nervous coughs, bronchitis, 

 etc., and it was combined with kermes, 

 ipecacuanha, etc., to make pills, emulsions, 

 opiates, and other remedies. 



44 At present it is no longer prescribed for 

 internal use ; but pharmacists, as well as 

 perfumers, make it the basis of many po- 

 mades and ointments, whose use is, we are 

 assured, most beneficial, and, at all events, 

 most agreeable. Cocoa-butter, pure or 

 simply combined with an oil which renders 

 it more or less unctuous, is one of the 

 smoothest, most fragrant, and, if we may 

 be allowed the expression, most savory, 



