THE  AMERICAN 
JOURNAL  OF  PHARMACY. 
AUGUST,  1885, 
OLEATE  OF  MANGANESE. 
By  C.  E.  Kreyssler,  Ph.G. 
Drs.  Martin  and  McArthur  having  suggested  the  use  of  Oleate  of 
Manganese  as  a  menstrual  stimulant,  and  as  a  remedy  in  functional 
amenorrhasa,  menorrhagia  and  metrorrhagia,  and  not  being  able  to 
obtain  the  same,  requested  me  to  make  an  attempt  to  prepare  it, 
which  I  did,  in  the  following  manner,  by  acting  on  a  solution  of  the 
sulphate  of  manganese,  with  a  solution  of  sodium  oleate :  The  pow- 
dered and  dry  Castile  soap  being  considered  a  sufficiently  pure  sodium 
oleate,  was  used  in  making  the  solution ;  this  solution  was  then  gradu- 
ally, and  with  constant  stirring,  aded  to  the  solution  of  the  sulphate  of 
manganese,  at  once  precipitating  a  granular  appearing  substance,  being 
the  oleate  of  manganese,  which,  on  being  slightly  heated,  suddenly 
changed  to  a  sticky  mass,  having  the  consistency  of  putty,  and  this 
being  washed  several  times  with  warm  distilled  water,  to  free  it  from 
the  sulphate  of  soda,  resulted  in  a  hard  substance  having  a  light  gray, 
slightly  pinkish  color,  of  a  sweet  musty  taste,  and  peculiar  odor,  being 
sparingly  soluble  in  alcohol,  but  soluble  in  ether,  chloroform,  olive  oil 
and  oleic  acid. 
To  test  this  oleate  a  portion  of  it  was  oxidized  on  a  platinum  foil, 
and  a  fragment  of  caustic  potash  and  same  quantity  of  chlorate  of 
potassium  added,  and  held  in  a  blowpipe  flame  until  the  fused  mixture 
had  become  dark  green,  or  the  color  of  manganate  of  potassium,  and 
on  adding  water  to  this,  and  boiling  for  a  short  time,  it  produced  the 
solution  of  permanganate  of  potash,  having  the  usual  purple  color. 
The  method  of  applying  this  oleate  is  as  follows :  About  one  tea- 
spoonful  of  the  20  'per  cent,  solution  of  the  oleate  is  applied  to  the 
abdomen  of  the  patient,  and  absorption  promoted  by  friction,  pro- 
duced by  vigorous  rubbing  of  the  surface  with  the  palm  of  the  hand, 
or  fingers,  continuing  the  rubbing  until  absorbed  ;  it  may  also  be 
applied  to  the  spine,  or Jinner  surface  of  the  thighs. 
Dr.  Martin  recommends  the  application  of  the  same  in  amenorrhaea, 
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