HYDBOUS WOOL FAT 649 



Adeps Lan^ Hydkosus. Hydrous Wool Fat. (U. S. & B. P.) 



Synonym. — Lanolin, oesypum. 

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

 class Mammalia ; order Euminantia), 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, C^jH^j (OH); 2, ethers of 

 oleic, stearic, palmitic and other acids. 



Adeps Lan^. (U. S. & B. P.) 

 (Wool fat without water.) 



ACTION AND USE OP LAED, SUET, AND HYDKOUS 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 

 absorption of some drug is desired (mercury, potassium 

 iodide) by inunction, as it is believed to be more readily 

 absorbed from the skin than any other fat. Lanolin is used 

 as a basis of ointments. It may be mixed with twice its 

 weight of water without losing its ointment consistency. 



Cera Flava. Yellow Wax. (U. S. & B: P) 

 Synonym. — Cera citrina, beeswax, B.P.; cire jaune, Fr.; 



gelbes wachs, G. 



A peculiar, concrete substance prepared by Apis melli- 



fica Linne (class Insecta ; order Hymenoptera). 



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