GLYCERIN 427 



ing the skin with soap and water^ and then by dusting with zinc oxide 

 and starch, equal parts. Sapo mollis, together with an equal amount of 

 flour of mustard, forms a most satisfactory cleansing and disinfectant 

 mixture for the hands of the operating surgeon when employed in the 

 same mannfer as ordinary soap. Soap may also be used as a lubricating 

 agent for the hands or instruments in making examinations. Soap is a 

 useful excipient for balls, pills, and plasters, and it is a constituent of 

 liniments. 



Soap is employed both as a qualitative and quantitive test for hard 

 water; This contains salts of the alkaline earth metals, as sulphates and 

 carbonates of magnesium and calcium. Soap is decomposed by these 

 salts, and insoluble soaps, i. e., calcium and magnesium stearate, are 

 precipitated. The free alkali of the soap is then converted into insoluble 

 sulphates and carbonates. These reactions produce a milky precipitate 

 when a solution of soap is added to hard water. 



Internally soap is an antacid and somewhat irritating, and may 

 occasion vomiting and stimulation of intestinal peristalsis. These actions 

 are taken advantage of in emergencies, when it may be given to dogs as 

 an emetic, or to all animals in poisoning by acids. A piece of soap, when 

 shaped by the hands into a conical form, dipped an instant into water, 

 and introduced into the rectum, is one of the best agents. for moving the 

 bowels in the case of puppies and all young animals. Enemata of soap 

 suds are in every day use. A mixture of sapo mollis, molasses, and water, 

 in varying proportions, is a more efficient preparation. Oil of turpentine 

 may be added in flatulence. 



Glycerinum. Glycerin. CsH5(OH)8. (U. S. & B. P.) 



Synonym.- — Glycerine, glycerole, E.; glycerine, Fr. ; glycerin, oelsiiss, G,. ; 

 glycerinum, P. G. 



Derivation. — A liquid obtained by tlie hydrolysis of vegetable or animal fats 

 or fixed oils, purified by distillation, and containing not less than 95 per cent, of 

 trihydric alcohol. It occurs as a by-product in the manufacture of soap, but is 

 made chiefly from palm oil by the action of superheated steam at a temperature 

 of about 600° F. 



Properties. — A clear, colorless liquid, of a thick, syrupy consistence, having 

 not more than a slight, characteristic odor which is neither harsh nor disagreeable, 

 sweet to the taste and producing a sensation of warmth in the mouth. When 

 exposed to the air it absorbs moisture. Spec. gr. not less than 1.249. Miscible 

 with water or alcohol; insoluble in ether, chloroform, carbon disulphide, benzin, 

 benzol, and fixed and volatile oils. Reaction neutral. Glycerin is a solvent for 

 alkaloids, digestive ferments, fixed alkalies, bromine, iodine, tannin, extracts, 

 salicin, borax, boric acid, phenol, etc. 



Dose.— H. & C, gi, (30); D., 3ss-i, (2-4). 



PREPAKATIONS. 



Glyceritum Amyli. Glycerite of Starch. (U. S. & B. P.) 

 Starch, 10; water, 10; glycerin, 80. Made by solution with heat. 

 There are also official glycerites of phenol (1-5), of tannic acid (1-4), of boro- 

 glyceriri (31 per cent.) and of hydrastis. 



Suppositoria Olycerini. Suppositories of Glycerin. (U. S. P.) 

 Glycerin, 30 Gm.; monohydrated sodium carbonate, 0.5 Gm.; stearic acid, 2.0 

 Gm.; water, 5 mils. Made by solution with heat and moulded into ten sup- 

 positories. 



Action External. — Glycerin is hygroscopic, emollient, sometimes 



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