48 
PARAFFINUM. 
Paraffin. 
A mixture of solid hydrocarbons, chiefly of the methane series. 
The paraffin of the U. S. Pharmacopoeia melts between 51. 6 C and 57.2 : 
C. The 4 ' hard paraffin” (Paraffinum Durum) of the British Pharma- 
copoeia melts between 54. 4 : and 57. 2 3 C., while the “Paraffinum 
solidum” of the German Pharmacopoeia melts between 74 ; and 80 c C. 
PELLETIERINE T ANNAS. 
Pelletierine Tannate. 
“A mixture in varying proportions of the tannates of four alka- 
loids (punicine, iso-punicine, methyl-punicine. and pseudo-punicine) 
obtained from Punica grcinatum" (Pomegranate). Also known as 
punicinum tannicum. The alkaloids are also known as pelletierine, 
iso-pelletierine, etc. 
Character. — A yellowish- white, odorless, amorphous powder, hav- 
ing an astringent taste, and a weak acid reaction. 
Solubility. — Soluble in water (1:235), alcohol (1:12.6), and in warm 
dilute acids. 
Dose. — “Average dose: 0.250 Gm. =250 milligrammes (4 grains).” 
(U. S. P.) 
The pelletierines of commerce seem to vary greatly: some are ten 
times as poisonous as others. While the U. S. Pharmacopoeia names, 
as the average dose of the tannate, 0.25 Gm., some writers recom- 
mend 0.75 to 1.5 Gm. Very unpleasant effects are said to have 
resulted from 0.4 to 0.5 Gm. 
PETROLATUM ALBUM. 
White Petrolatum. 
“A white unctuous mass of about the consistency of an ointment.” 
It is purified petrolatum and is used in the preparation of the Oint- 
ment of Boric Acid, the Ointment of Phenol (Unguentum Acidi Car- 
bolici, U. S. P., 1890), etc. 
PHENOL LIQUEFACTUM. 
Liquefied Phenol. 
Practically the Aeidum Carbolicum Liquefactum of the British and 
German Pharmacopoeias. It is prepared from Phenol (Aeidum Carboli- 
cum. U. 8. P., 1890) by the addition of distilled water in the propor- 
tion of 1 Gm. of the latter to 9 Gm. of Phenol. The U. S. Pharma- 
copoeia Phenol must contain not less than 96 per cent of absolute 
phenol: whereas this preparation. Phenol Liquefactum, contains not 
less than 86.4 per cent, by weight, of absolute phenol and about 13.6 
