386       Pennsylvania  Pharmaceutical  Association.    { Amii^i  i9oo.rm" 
melted,  strain  through  moderately  fine  gauze  or  cheese  cloth,  after 
which  it  should  be  stirred  constantly  until  cold. 
John  F.  Patton  presented  the  following  notes : 
No.  31.  Formula  for  Zinc  Ointment. 
It  is  presumed  this  means  oxide  of  zinc  ointment. 
The  first  requisite  is  a  good  article  of  oxide  of  zinc. 
We  have  always  found  "  Hubbuck's  "  English  oxide  of  zinc  to 
meet  all  the  requirements  of  an  excellent  article. 
Our  experience  with  the  twenty-three  ointments  of  the  Phar- 
macopoeia is  in  the  small  quantity  at  present  prescribed  by  physi- 
cians. 
The  ointment  of  the  oxide  of  zinc  is  most  frequently  dispensed. 
Then  comes  tar  ointment  and  the  .ointment  of  the  nitrate  of  mer- 
cury. 
The  first,  made  by  the  following  formula,  yields  a  product 
that  leaves  nothing  to  be  desired. 
Triturate  ounces  of  Hubbuck's  oxide  of  zinc  with  6  ounces 
olive  oil  to  a  smooth  paste. 
Have  your  mortar  of  ample  capacity  and  well  warmed. 
Then  introduce  a  mixture  of  6s^  ounces  white  wax  and  33^ 
ounces  washed  lard,  previously  melted  over  a  water-bath. 
Stir  constantly  until  cool,  finally  add  I  y2  ounces  of  tincture 
benzoin,  prepared  by  the  following  formula : 
Gum  Benzoin  in  tears  2  ounces. 
Ether  4  " 
Macerate  until  dissolved,  filter  and  add  : 
Castor  Oil  2  " 
For  benzoinating  lard,  this  tincture  in  proportion  of  ^  ounce 
for  each  pound  of  the  ointment  will  be  found  to  answer  the  pur- 
pose admirably. 
Whilst  on  the  subject  of  ointments,  it  will  not  be  amiss  to 
discuss  the  merits  of  an  ointment  which,  if  made  according  to 
the  direction  laid  down  in  the  U.S.P.  of  1870  and  1880,  gave  the 
manufacturer  no  end  of  trouble,  from  the  fact  that  it  had  a  dis- 
position to  assume  a  granular  consistency  on  being  kept  for  any 
length  of  time.    I  refer  to  Ungt.  Hydrarg.  Nit. 
This  can  be  obviated  and  a  most  satisfactory  ointment  pro- 
duced by  the  addition  of  petrolatum,  to  the  extent  of  one-third 
of  the  amount  of  lard  required. 
