588 
New  Preparations  Containing  Soap.  { 
Am.  Jour,  Pharm. 
December,  1902. 
Castor  oil  
Potassium  hydrate    .  .  . 
Distilled  water  
Alcohol  
Formic  aldehyde  solution 
75  c.c. 
15  gm. 
25  c.c. 
15  c.c. 
70  c.c. 
Dissolve  the  potassium  hydrate  in  the  water.  Add  the  alcohol  to 
the  oil  contained  in  a  suitable  bottle.  To  this  mixture  gradually 
add  the  solution  potassium  hydrate,  shaking  occasionally;  allow  to 
stand  until  clear  and  then  add  the  solution  of  formic  aldehyde. 
This  makes  a  light-yellow  solution,  the  objectionable  feature  of 
which  is  the  persistent  odor  of  castor  oil. 
A  more  desirable  formula,  one  that  is  readily  followed  and  con- 
tains a  higher  percentage  of  formic  aldehyde,  is  the  following  for  a 
solution  that  we  have  designed  to  name  sapoform. 
To  the  oleic  acid,  in  a  suitable  bottle,  add  the  alcohol.  Dissolve 
the  potassium  hydrate  in  the  water  and  add  gradually  to  the  mix- 
ture of  oleic  acid  and  alcohol,  occasionally  shaking  the  mixture. 
Allow  the  mixture  to  stand  for  from  twelve  to  twenty-four  hours, 
then  add  the  formic  aldehyde  solution. 
This  formula  gives  a  clear  sherry-colored  liquid  that  appears  to 
stand  well  and  is  freely  miscible  with  water  or  alcohol. 
As  stated  above,  formaldehyde  soap  solutions  have  been  used 
quite  extensively  in  Germany,  and  are  recommended  as  being  anti- 
septic, disinfectant  and  bactericidal.  They  are  said  to  be  non- 
poisonous  and  non-caustic.  In  solution,  they  have  been  used  in 
place  of  solutions  of  corrosive  sublimate  or  carbolic  acid.  Applied 
locally  for  night-sweats  of  phthisis,  and  also  in  cases  of  excessive 
perspiration,  especially  of  the  feet. 
German  practitioners  recommend  2  or  3  per  cent,  solutions  of  the 
preparation  in  distilled  or  soft  water. 
Sapoform  carbolic  acid  is  made  by  adding  carbolic  acid  one  part 
to  sapoform  two  parts,  mix.  A  preparation  similar  to  this  is  being 
used  in  several  of  the  German  hospitals,  and  according  to  the  pub- 
lished reports,  with  considerable  success. 
SAPOFORM. 
Oleic  acid  
Alcohol  
Potassium  hydrate  
Distilled  water  
Formic  aldehyde  solution,  40  per  cent. 
no  c.c. 
60  c.c. 
20  gm. 
60  c.  c. 
250  c.c. 
