542 
LINIMENTUM FOTASSII IODIDI CUM SAPONE. 
substances may possess one and the same atomic molecule, existing (subsisting?) 
in different conditions of movement, (though it is more than doubtful whether 
“ movement,” which only records an effect, is the correct term to apply,) is 
almost identical with the doctrine which Democritus had even more distinctly 
enunciated, and is one that would necessarily present itself to most physicists 
who have thought much on the subject. In fact, it is inevitable, wffien w r e 
push our inquiries to their furthest extent, that we must be confronted by 
atoms which are theoretically uniform and homogeneous. 
Have we then made any sensible progress in our knowledge—hypothetical or 
actual—of the intimate constitution of body? It is to be feared that we have 
not; but, though w ? e have been unable to move a single step forward, still, 
some of the impediments to our progress have, perhaps, been cleared away, 
and we may be enabled before long to make a real step in advance. 
LINIMENTUM POTASSII IODIDI CUM SAPONE. 
BY NATHANIEL SMITH. 
This liniment owes its place in the British Pharmacopoeia to Dr. Rumsey, of 
Cheltenham, a member of the Medical Council; the formula was supplied to 
him from the ‘Form-book ’ of the business with which I am connected. 
The liniment has been in use in Cheltenham for more than twenty years, and 
during that period has been adopted by the medical profession in this locality, 
as a preparation in every way more desirable and efficacious than the Unguent. 
Potass. Iodid. 
The formula w r as copied from a Pharmaceutical Journal of some twenty-five 
or thirty years ago with a German origin ; it was then prescribed with a large 
quantity of spirit. As soap w r ith spirit of wine in a solid form does not admit 
of being rubbed in so easily as soap with water, the w 7 ater process w 7 as adopted. 
The directions of the Pharmacopoeia are not sufficiently clear ; for instance, 
no soap made with vegetable oil could answer well; if pure curd soap, which 
is made with Russian tallow, were used in the proportion I propose naming, 
and the directions for mixing followed, I think ail who now' condemn the pre¬ 
paration would extend to it a verdict exactly the reverse. I recommend, 
*White curd soap . . 
Iodid. Potass. . . . 
Glycerine . . . . 
Distilled water 
Essential oil of lemon 
2 oz. 
l|oz 
1 oz. 
10 oz. 
1 dr. 
Reduce the soap into fine shreds, and melt in a water-bath with the whole of 
the water and the glycerine ; when the soap is perfectly dissolved, pour it into 
a No. 9 Wedgwood mortar, in which the iodide of potassium has been previ¬ 
ously reduced to fine powder ; mix briskly, and continue the trituration until 
the mortar has become cool, and the liniment assumes the character of ice 
cream. Set aside for an hour, after which gently rub in the oil of lemons. 
It will be noticed the quantity of soap in this form is larger than in that of 
the Pharmacopoeia. At Dr. Rumsey’s suggestion, and while the B.P. was in 
process of construction, the glycerine was added ; it was subsequently found 
* For this use the white curd soap made by Messrs. Gibbs, of the City Soap Works, or 
Benbow’s curd soa.p. 
