GLYCERIN. 
29 
more certain; as glycerole of aloes, tar and arnica for external use. It is used with 
starch in the proportion of 1 oz. of glycerin to 70 grs. of starch for making an article 
called “ plasma,” as a substitute for lard or cerate. And it no doubt possesses advantage 
in preparing vegetable extracts, such as belladonna, aconite, and others for external use, 
as they can be readily mixed with it; for liniments, in the place of oil, as it will not 
become rancid; and has been suggested for the extraction of the active principles of 
vegetable substances in place of oil and fats, to be used in the preparation of cerates or 
ointments. 
Incorporated with vegetable extracts, it will prevent mouldiness and keep them soft, 
and for pill masses liable to become hard it is a good addition. It may be used as an 
addition to poultices to keep them soft, or any article to be kept in a moist or plastic 
condition. 
Its solvent and preservative properties are of great importance to the pharmaceutist. 
In the preparation of fluid extracts, it will be found to supply the place of alcohol and 
sugar to much advantage. My experience is such as to convince me that in most cases 
extracts will be more permanent by supplying the place of alcohol, used to preserve 
them, with glycerin. To fluid extract of jalap, Veratrum viride, Cinchona aromat .., and 
Iris versicolor , glycerin was added and all the alcohol evaporated out, specimens of which 
I now exhibit, presenting a handsome appearance. Sarsaparilla and those liable to 
fermentation will be much better preserved with it. 
I have used glycerin as a menstruum in the preparation of extracts of cloves, nutmegs, 
and Ceylon cinnamon, and the preparations are elegant representatives of the substances 
from which they were made. 
It dissolves the vegetable acids, most of the vegetable alkaloids, sulphuretof potassium, 
permanganate of potassa, sulphate of copper, zinc, iron, and potassa, alkaline, and some 
of the metallic chlorides; 
Iodide of ammonium, cadmium, zinc, potassa, sodium, lime, and manganese; 
Freshly precipitated carbonate of iron; 
Most of the metallic oxides to some extent; 
Nitrate of potassa, silver, copper, and lead; 
Citrate of iron, citrate of iron and quinine, citrate of iron and strychnia, tarirate cf 
iron and potassa; 
Pyrophosphate of iron, and most saline substances. 
Heating to give it greater fluidity will generally increase its solvent property. 
It may not be amiss to name other purposes for wdrich glycerin is largely used. Much 
the largest quantity used for any one purpose, except that of filling gas meters, is in the 
manufacture of hair oils, tonics, and washes, for which it is admirably fitted, taking the 
place of alcohol and castor oil, which are now too expensive for the purpose, and by 
its undrying property keeping the hair moist in appearance. 
It is largely used in tobacco, and is particularly adapted to the article known as fine- 
cut, preserving it in a moist state an indefinite length of time; and, unlike sugar, 
molasses, and infusion of liquorice, which has been used for the same purpose, it will 
not turn sour, and is unchanged by exposure to the air. 
Wine and liquor manufacturers use it to improve liquors, by giving body and remov¬ 
ing the fiery taste. 
It is used by manufacturers of woollen goods in place of oil, being more economical 
and not requiring soap to wash it out. 
Manufacturers of cotton goods use it in size to prevent rapid drying. 
Printers use it in place of molasses to make rollers, which will not dry and shrink. 
It is used by artists in clay and plaster of Paris, to preserve it in a plastic form for 
modelling. 
It is used in soaps. 
For filling wet meters, used in measuring illuminating gas, it is now extensively used, 
and possesses decided advantage over whisky or any substance before used for the pur¬ 
pose. It is practically free from any objection, not evaporating at any ordinary tem¬ 
perature, and can be sufficiently diluted to prevent its absorption of more water from 
the gas, and not liable to freeze at any degree of cold meters are subject to, and render¬ 
ing them free from the attention necessary if filled with whisky or water. 
It deserves attention as a lubricator 'for fine machinery, not congealing or being 
affected by exposure to the atmosphere. 
