OINTMENTS OF THE PHARMACOPOEIA. 
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(in some instances justly so, I think), perhaps we are unwittingly 
displeasing the prescriber by so doing. The formulae of the Phar- 
macopoeia preparations often get credit for being far worse than 
they really are; and I at least have often found that it is not the 
formula, but my unskilful manipulation that is at fault, so it does not 
do to be too hasty to condemn. The different degrees that hard 
paraffin melts at would account for some of the different opinions as 
to the method of making the ointments containing this base. I have 
not noticed that the critics had taken the melting point of the sample 
they were working with, for some say these ointments require no 
stirring as the melted paraffins are cooling. I could understand that, 
if the sample of hard paraffin selected had a very low melting point, 
this might be the case ; but in my own experience a sample of medium 
hardness, melting at 125 degrees Fahr., formed with the soft paraffin 
two distinct layers on cooling, even when working on a small quantity. 
As the two paraffins do not form an intimate mixture, the B.P. 
directions about stirring till cool should be particularly attended to. 
To cool properly it should be done very slowly; the heat ought to be 
removed from the water bath (which should invariably be used for 
making ointments), and the ointment allowed to remain on the water 
bath, and the whole cooled together, keeping the ointment well stirred 
all the time. Ointments made with this base keep well enough, as 
long as no hot weather intervenes; should it do so the two paraffins 
separate, making the ointment rather unsatisfactory, which cannot be 
remedied except by heating up and cooling again. It sometimes 
happens that these ointments, although made very carefully, and to all 
appearances perfectly smooth mixtures, will be found, if a portion be 
rubbed on a slab, to contain small lumps, thus showing that the 
mixture is not an intimate one, and proving the importance of well 
stirring as it cools. They are also of such a waxy consistency that 
they are difficult to spread, and really require to be rubbed down 
each time they are used. 
If beeswax be used in place of hard paraffin, the resulting ointment 
is much more homogeneous, thus requiring much less attention in 
making. Although it may melt at a higher temperature, it is a much 
better consistency for spreading, and being a more intimate mixture 
has not the same tendency to separate on the advent of the hot 
weather. I should like to see beeswax (either white or yellow, 
according to the colour of the ointment required) substituted for 
hard paraffin in all cases. Wax has also the advantage that genuine 
samples do not vary much in the melting points, so that it would be 
much easier to gauge the consistency of an ointment made with it. 
There is much talk about wool fat as a universal basis ; we are 
told that it should be used for all ointments. First it was wool fat, 
without any addition, that was to do away with all other bases ; but 
it was soon pointed out that this was far from satisfactory on account 
of its stickiness. To meet this objection, soft paraffin was added to 
such an extent that it seemed hard to determine whether it is the 
wool fat or the addition that is so good. The mixture is also inclined 
to separate in hot weather. It was thought that wool fat, having 
the power to retain so much water, would act better than anything 
else for cooling ointments ; but it was found that it held the water 
