IODIZED COTTON. 
25 
queutly used largely for adulterating the almond oil of commerce. He alleges 
that even the best samples of almond oil constantly contain a larger or smaller 
proportion of apricot oil, and that sometimes the latter is entirely substituted for 
the former. 
M. Nickles also describes the means by which he has been able to recognize 
this adulteration. He states that apricot oil possesses, in a high degree, the 
property of forming, with dry hydrate of lime, an emulsion which slowly assumes 
in the cold an unctuous consistence. Almond oil, on the contrary, forms no emul¬ 
sion with lime, the powder slowly deposits, and the oil remains perfectly limpid. 
But if it contains a certain quantity of apricot oil it emulsifies by agitation, and 
in time deposits an unctuous matter, which can be separated by filtration in the 
cold. This substance is formed only by the foreign oil; and by this means not 
only can the adulteration be detected, but a separation of the two oils can be 
effected. This unctuous matter, which is neither an oil nor a soap, is fusible by 
a water bath, forming a limpid liquid which concretes on cooling; it floats 
intact on boiling water. It is soluble in hot oils, but as the temperature of the 
solution diminishes, it is deposited as a white cloud, more or less intense, which 
can be removed by filtration. Being fusible, it can be freed from excess of hydrate 
of lime by filtering it with the aid of a hot-water funnel. In this state it is 
soluble in sulphide of carbon, especially while it is in suspension in an oil. The 
mineral acids, assisted by a gentle heat, decompose it, setting free the apricot 
oil, which however again emulsifies with fresh hydrate of lime. 
In examining a sample of almond oil, M. Nickles recommends the following 
method of procedure:—A dozen grammes of the oil are agitated with about a 
gramme and a half of pulverulent hydrated lime, then heated by a water bath, 
and lastly filtered while hot, either in an oven or by a hot-water funnel, so as 
to retain the unctuous matter in solution. As the oily filtrate cools, if apricot 
oil be present, it becomes white and opaque; the result is hastened by plunging 
the vessel in water or ice. By this means M. Nickles has detected one per cent, 
of apricot oil. 
Almond oil is not the only oil which fails to emulsify with powdered slaked 
lime ; olive and colza oils are in the same position. On the other hand, hemp, 
poppy, nut, and linseed oils furnish more or less of this unctuous matter, and 
castor oil gives a very thick coagulum. 
IODIZED COTTON. 
The following formula is given by Dr. Greenhalgh, in a communication to the 
‘Lancet’ of May 26th:—Two ounces of iodide of potassium and one ounce of iodine are 
dissolved in eight ounces of glycerine, in which solution eight ounces of cotton-wool are 
thoroughly saturated and then carefully dried. The best method of applying it is to 
take a portion of the iodized cotton about the size of a half-crown piece secured by some 
silk thread tied crosswise, and, passing it through a speculum, to press it firmly against 
the cervix uteri, over which a piece of cotton-wool similarly secured, somewhat larger, 
and freHy saturated in glycerine, should be placed and retained in situ while the specu¬ 
lum is being withdrawn. It may be applied twice or three times a week, and be kept 
in the upper part of the vagina from twenty-four to forty-eight hours. 
It possesses the following advantages:—It is clean, light, and portable; it produces 
no irritation: destroys all foetor; is considerably stronger than the compound tincture 
of iodine, is more readily absorbed, and can be kept in contact with the diseased tissues 
for a longer period. Moreover, it does not soil the linen like the medicated^ pessaries 
and suppositories, and many other topical applications in general use for uterine affec¬ 
tions. 
Several other remedies besides iodine are used by Dr. Greenhalgh in the same mannei’, 
such as cotton with iodine and atropine, cotton with tannin, cotton with matico, and 
cotton with morphia. 
