Am.  Jour.  Pharm.  \ 
August,  1889.  J 
Walnut  Oil. 
419 
oleic  acid  preparations,  when  applied  as  ointments  or  dusting  powders. 
Whilst  paraffin  ointments  prevent  penetration  of  the  cuticle  by  form- 
ing a  superficial  varnish  on  the  skin,  lanolin  assists  the  osmotic  action. 
For  instance,  an  ointment  of  oleate  of  cocaine  and  lanolin,  applied 
along  the  course  of  the  nerve  in  facial  neuralgia,  quickly  relieves  the 
pain,  and  causes  local  anaesthesia.  Then  there  is  another  important 
point  in  favor  of  lanolin,  as  an  excipient  in  making  suppositories  of 
potass,  bromid.,  ext.  belladonnas,  acid,  carbolici,  etc.,  or  any  other  sub- 
stance soluble  in  an  equal  quantity  of  water. 
The  anhydrous  lanolin  stiffened  with  cocoanut  butter  or  stearin 
will  make  a  perfect  suppository.  First  dissolve  the  medicament ; 
work  up  with  the  lanolin  and  add  to  the  melted  cocoa-butter  or  stearin, 
and  pour  into  moulds.  The  suppository  is  readily  melted  at  body 
heat ;  being  elastic  it  is  not  easily  broken,  and  it  is  more  readily  re- 
tained in  the  rectum  and  quickly  absorbed  by  the  membranes.  Lano- 
lin may  also  be  used  for  making  "  hair  cream."  If  hot  water  is 
gradually  added  to  the  lanolin  in  a  warm  mortar,  stirring  all  the  time, 
any  consistency  of  cream  may  be  obtained.  When  nicely  scented  with 
rosemary  oil  and  otto,  with  which  cantharidin  solution  (1  gr.  in  1 
drachm  s.v.r.,  sufficient  for  Oj.)  has  been  mixed  carefully,  the  prepara- 
tion will  keep  well,  and  render  the  hair  smooth  and  glossy,  besides 
being  less  expensive  than  a  mixture  of  oils. 
In  conclusion,  I  would  beg  to  draw  attention  to  the  fact,  that  solu- 
tions of  salts  hitherto  non-miscible  with  lard  and  paraffin  may  be  easily 
and  perfectly  incorporated  with  lanolin ;  for  instance,  solution  of  po- 
tassium permanganate  is  not  reduced.  As  the  lanolin  keeps  perfectly 
a  long  time,  no  fear  of  finding  the  stock  of  an  ointment  rancid  need 
ever  be  entertained. — Phar.  Jour,  and  Trans.,  May  25,  1889. 
WALNUT  OIL. 
By  Thomas  T.  P.  Bruce  Warren. 
This  oil,  which  I  obtained  from  the  fully  ripened  nut  of  the  Jug- 
luns  regia,  has  so  many  excellent  properties  especially  for  mixing  with 
artists'  colors  for  fine  art  work,  that  I  am  surprised  at  the  small 
amount  of  information  available  on  this  interesting  oil. 
Walnut  oil  is  largely  used  for  adulterating  olive  oil,  and  to  com- 
pensate for  its  high  iodine  absorption  it  is  mixed  with  pure  lard  oil 
olein,  which  also  retards  the  thickening  effect  due  to  oxidation.  The 
