142 
ON  GLYCERIN. 
seems  specially  adapted  to  fill  to  a  considerable  extent ;  and 
the  large  amount  and  low  price  at  which  it  can  be  produced, 
makes  it  worthy  of  attention  at  a  time  particularly  when  every 
article  of  utility  should  be  carefully  looked  after. 
Medicinally,  glycerin  has  been  used  for  its  nutritive  and  al- 
ternative effect,  and  in  some  cases  with  marked  success,  being 
admissible  when  cod-liver  oil  and  other  unpleasant  substances 
would  be  rejected.  These  and  its  soothing  effect  in  coughs, 
are  the  principal  internal  uses  to  which  it  has  been  applied 
alone.  Its  more  important  medicinal  value  is  as  a  vehicle  for 
the  preparation  of  a  great  variety  of  remedies  for  both  internal 
and  external  use. 
It  is  a  favorite  article  in  combination  with  the  hypophos- 
phites,  known  as  glycerole  of  hypophosphites,  and,  never  dis- 
agreeing with  the  most  delicate  stomach,  as  sugar  is  liable  to 
do,  is  admissible  when  syrup  is  not. 
Iodide  of  iron  prepared  with  it  in  the  place  of  syrup,  makes 
a  handsome  and  permanent  preparation. 
Its  preservative  and  solvent  property  being  so  much  greater 
than  that  of  sugar  syrup,  cannot  fail  to  recommend  it  in  the 
place  of  that  substance  for  the  preparation  of  ipecac,  senega, 
hive  syrup  and  such  vegetable  preparations  as  are  liable  to 
fermentation,  specimens  of  several  I  now  exhibit  made  with 
glycerin,  costing  $2.00  per  gallon,  which  are  elegant  in  ap- 
pearance, and  will  undoubtedly  remain  without  change  an  in- 
definite length  of  time. 
Its  uses  externally  are  numerous.  For  chapped  skin  and 
rough  and  excoriated  surfaces,  it  has  no  equal ;  for  sore  nip- 
ples, skin  diseases,  ulcers  of  various  kinds,  to  prevent  exces- 
sive suppuration  and  cleanse  the  secreting  surface. 
It  is  highly  recommended  in  deep  abscesses  with  diseased 
bone,  combined  with  iodine,  which  it  dissolves.  With  many, 
it  is  a  favorite  mode  of  applying  iodine  and  its  salts. 
It  is  used  in  cerates  and  ointments,  which  do  not  become 
rancid  so  soon  when  combined  with  it;  as  glycerole  of  lead,  in 
place  of  Goulard's  cerate,  glycerin  being  used  in  the  place  of 
wax  and  oil;  as  glycerole  of  kino,  which  is  said  to  be  unchange 
