462        Oleic  Acid  and  some  of  its  Combinations.  {AMbcH;i872^ 
parts,  until  dissolved  ;  on  cooling,  it  forms  a  semi-transparent  tena- 
cious mass  somewhat  thinner  than  lead  plaister.  This  is  not  well 
adapted  for  direct  application,  but  requires  diluting,  and  as  it  mixes 
readily  with  ordinary  fats  and  oils,  I  have  adopted  the  following  for- 
mula for  its  exhibition : 
Ointment  of  Oleate  of  Lead. 
Take  of 
Oleate  of  Lead  (20  per  cent.)      .       .       .2  parts. 
Oil  of  Almonds,      .....        1  part. 
Prepared  Lard,  .        .        .        .        .  1  " 
Mix  with  a  gentle  heat. 
On  cooling,  this  forms  an  elegant  ointment  resembling  that  of  sper- 
maceti. 
Oleate  of  Zinc  (20  per  cent.) 
Prepared  by  heating  together  oxide  of  zinc  one  part,  oleic  acid  four 
parts,  until  dissolved.  During  the  process  of  solution  some  bubbling 
takes  place  with  disengagement  of  watery  vapor.  It  is  transparent 
when  melted ;  on  cooling  it  has  the  appearance  of  lead  plaister,  is 
hard  and  friable,  and  requires  to  be  diluted  in  the  same  manner  as- 
oleate  of  lead. 
Ointment  of  Oleate  of  Zinc. 
Take  of 
Oleate  of  Zinc  (20  per  cent.),      .       .       .2  parts. 
Oil  of  Almonds,  1  part. 
Prepared  Lard,  .        .        .        .        .        .    1  " 
Mix  with  heat. 
This  forms  an  ointment  of  the  ordinary  consistence. 
Whilst  experimenting  with  the  above,  I  thought  that  if  atropia 
and  aconitina  were  soluble  in  oleic  acid,  they  might  prove  useful  pre- 
parations. I  find  they  are  readily  so  at  ordinary  temperatures, 
whilst  the  sulphate  of  atropia  is  soluble  on  the  application  of  heat. 
I  have  prepared  solutions  of  the  above,  which  nearly  correspond  to 
the  ointments  of  the  British  Pharmacopoeia. 
Solution  of  Oleate  of  Atropia, 
Take  of 
Atropia,         ......      2  grains. 
Oleic  Acid,  98  grains. 
Dissolve. 
