38 PIIYSETER TRUMPO. 



Medical Properties and Uses. — Spermaceti is used inter- 

 nally as a demulcent in catarrh, phthisis pulmonalis, diarrhoea and 

 dysentery ; and externally in ointments to wounds and excoriations 

 of the skin. As an internal remedy it possesses no advantages over 

 the fixed oils, which as Dr. Pearson justly observes are more 

 readily united with water through the medium of alkalies and mu- 

 cilages, and are less liable to become rancid and nauseating by 

 keeping. Spermaceti is sometimes prescribed in the form of an 

 emulsion, diffused in water by means of the yolk of an egg, as a 

 vehicle for the tincture of opium to women in child-bed, when the 

 after-pains prove troublesome. It is principally employed in the 

 composition of ointments and cerates, which arc applied as a 

 dressing to inflamed parts, and prove useful in a great measure by 

 excluding the air. Spermaceti readily dissolves caoutchouc, and 

 this property renders it useful as a lute, for stopping vessels in cer- 

 tain chemical operations. M. Fee says, in France/it is used in the 

 manufacture of bougies of great beauty, the more so, as by a process 

 little known, they are made transparent. It is given in a dose of 

 from 3ss. to 3 iss. rubbed with sugar, or with an egg in emulsiou. 



Ambergris has occasionally been employed in medicine, but as it 

 seems to possess very little efficacy, it is now very generally disused 

 in most parts of Europe. Dr. Swediaur took thirty grains of it 

 without perceiving any sensible effect. In Turkey, Persia, and the 

 East, it is used as an aphrodisiac, though its virtues in this respect 

 are perfectly imaginary. In this country, ambergris is principally 

 used in perfumery. A few drops of the alcoholic solution, or 

 essence as it is commonly called, mixed in minute quantity with 

 lavender water, tooth-powder, hair-powder, wash-balls, &c. adds 

 much to the fragrance of their scent. 



Off. Prep. — Ceratum simplex, E. Ceratum Cetacei, L. 

 Unguentum Cetacei, L. D. 



PHYSETER TRUMPO.— Blunt-headed Cachalot. 



Spec. Char. — Body irregularly conical, with a protu- 

 berance on the back ; no dorsal Jin. Teeth straight' 

 pointed. 



