NOTE  ON  JAPANESE  WAX. 
311 
NOTE  ON  JAPANESE  WAX. 
By  the  Editor. 
All  of  our  readers  are  not  aware  that  considerable  quantities 
of  Japanese  vegetable  wax  have  been  received  in  this  country. 
At  page  561,  vol.  31,  of  this  Journal,  (last  year,)  an  account 
of  the  source,  and  some  of  the  properties  of  this  substance  may 
be  found.  It  differs  from  beeswax  in  composition,  but  in 
aspect  has  a  strongly  marked  resemblance.  There  can  be  but 
little  doubt,  in  view  of  the  present  high  price  of  beeswax,  that 
this  substance  will  be  employed  to  adulterate  it,  and  pharmaceu- 
tists should  be  watchful  that  they  be  not  imposed  on.  The 
fusing  point  of  the  Japan  wax  now  in  this  market,  is  about  120° 
Fahr.  That  of  pure  white  wax  also  obtained  in  this  market  is 
154-5°  F.  Equal  quantities  of  the  two  were  united  by  fusion, 
and  the  mixture  had  a  fusing  point  of  140°.  By  strict  attention 
to  the  fusing  point,  in  a  careful  experiment,  any  considerable 
percentage  of  this  wax  can  be  detected.  It  is  said  to  consist 
chiefly  of  palmitic  acid  and  glycerin,  but  we  have  seen  no  recent 
facts  in  regard  to  its  composition.  It  is  also  said  to  be  saponi- 
iiable,  with  comparative  readiness,  with  caustic  alkalies,  another 
means  of  distinguishing  it  from  true  wax. 
But  whilst  we  should  guard  against  its  use  as  an  adulterating 
agent,  it  is  quite  proper  to  examine  into  its  value  as  a  substi- 
tute for  wax  in  pharmacy.  Its  low  price,  not  one  half  that 
of  white  wax,  is  an  object,  especially  in  our  large  hospitak? 
where  large  quantities  of  cerate  are  used.  With  a  view  to  solve 
this  question,  we  have  prepared  cerate  with  it,  in  the  propor- 
tion of  one  part  to  two  of  lard ;  one  to  one  and  a  half  of  lard  ; 
and  equal  parts ;  and  are  having  them  practically  tested  as 
regards  their  consistence  and  blandness,  compared  with  officinal 
cerate,  and  will  report  in  a  future  number. 
