Am.  Jour.  Pharm.  "I 
July,  1882.  j 
Note  on  Boroglyceride. 
353 
ordinary  temperature.    The  ingredients  are  used  in  the  proportion  of 
their  atomic  weights,  and  the  reaction  is  as  follows : 
HO 
C3H5HO  +  H3BO3  =  C3H5BO3  +  3H2O 
HO 
The  hydroxyls  of  the  glycerin  being  replaced  by  the  boric  oxide, 
unite  with  the  hydrogen  liberated  therefrom  to  form  water,  and  this 
passes  off  as  vapor.  It  amounts  to  a  little  over  one-third  of  the 
whole  mass,  or  54  parts  in  154,  the  yield  being  100  parts  for  each  92 
parts  of  glycerin  employed,  and  consisting  of  41  parts  of  glyceryl  and 
59  parts  boric  oxide.  The  cooled  product  is  solid,  brittle,  and  trans- 
parent, has  a  light  amber  color,  and  a  shining  fracture.  These  data 
are  true  of  the  preparation  as  made  in  a  porcelain  kettle  over  a  direct 
flame.  The  heat  of  a  water  bath  is  not  sufficient  to  effect  the  combi- 
nation. It  could  probably  be  made  on  a  large  scale  in  jacketed  kettles 
by  the  use  of  superheated  steam,  and  in  this  way  would  doubtless  be 
lighter  in  color.  It  is  freely  soluble  in  warm  water,  sparingly  soluble 
in  alcohol  at  60°F.,  and  in  5  parts  at  120°  ;  insoluble  in  ether  and 
chloroform  at  60 °F.  The  strong  alcoholic  solution  will  probably 
prove  an  excellent  means  of  impregnating  lint,  cotton  and  gauze  with 
boroglyceride  for  surgical  use. 
If  the  compound  is  melted  in  a  water  bath,  and  an  equal  weight  of 
glycerin  added,  a  dense  clear  mixture  is  obtained  which  remains  fluid 
on  cooling,  and  is  a  very  convenient  form  for  many  uses,  being  50 
per  cent,  by  weight  of  the  antiseptic.  This  glycerol,  as  we  may  term 
it,  will  mix  clear  with  an  equal  volume  of  alcohol.  A  5  per  cent, 
solution  of  boroglyceride  is  not  affected  by  tannin,  tincture  of  chloride 
of  iron,  MonseFs  solution,  or  the  mineral  acids.  These  points  may 
prove  useful  in  treating  diphtheria,  in  which  an  antiseptic  spray  is  often 
employed. 
As  might  be  expected,  boroglyceride  is  hygroscopic,  soon  becoming: 
damp  and  greasy  on  an  exposed  surface. 
A  convenient  form  for  dispensing  will  be  found  that  of  2-ounce 
cakes,  moulded  in  oiled  camphor  ice  tins.  One  or  more  dissolved  in 
the  requisite  quantity  of  water  will  furnish  readily  a  solution  of  any 
desired  percentage.  These  cakes  should  be  wrapped  in  wax  paper  and 
tin  foil  as  soon  as  cold,  to  prevent  hydration. 
As  to  practical  tests  of  this  substance  in  pharmacy,  it  is  too  soon  to 
have  acquired  much  information  on  this  head.    However,  I  have  a 
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