Am.  Jour.  Pharm. 
May,  1899. 
} 
Substitute  for  Beeswax. 
219 
used  the  most,  i.  eit  simple  ointment,  oxide  zinc  ointment  and  oint- 
ment of  rose-water,  using  Japan  wax  instead  of  beeswax,  at  the 
same  time  making  the  same  ointments,  respectively,  according  to 
the  U.S.P. 
Soon  afterwards  I  made  the  six  official  cerates,  using  Japan  wax 
instead  of  white  wax,  also  making  a  sample  of  each,  according  to 
the  U.S.P.  This  was  done  in  both  cases  to  compare  their  keeping 
qualities.  They  were  stored  in  a  cool  place  in  the  cellar,  and  were 
not  disturbed,  save  a  casual  visit,  for  nearly  one  year.  Recently 
they  were  taken  out,  and  all  were  found  to  be  in  good  condition 
except  the  cold  cream  and  cantharides  cerate ;  both  samples  of  cold 
cream  were  slightly  yellowish  in  color  on  the  surface.  The  sam- 
ples of  cantharides  cerate  were  covered  with  mould,  which  is  liable 
to  result  if  kept  too  long.  As  no  druggist  makes  a  sufficient  stock 
of  these  cerates  to  last  a  year,  these  difficulties  could  be  overcome 
by  making  fresh  stock  from  time  to  time. 
In  making  simple  ointment  with  Japan  wax  the  following  for- 
mula was  used  : 
Iyard  .  .  ;  .  .......  .  .  ......  .  .85  grammes. 
Japan  Wax  ..................  .15  " 
This  compared  favorably  with  the  U.S.P.  product,  both  in  appear- 
ance (save  color)  and  consistence.  As  Japan  wax  is  nearly  color- 
less, the  products  wherein  it  is  employed  differ  radically  in  color 
from  those  made  by  using  yellow  wax. 
Benzoinated  lard  being  used  as  the  base  in  the  oxide  of  zinc  oint- 
ment, a  sample  was  made  in  which  the  following  proportions  were 
This  quantity  of  Japan  wax  proved  to  be  sufficient  to  give  the 
benzoinated  lard  the  desired  consistence  during  the  warmest 
weather. 
The  oxide  of  zinc  ointment  was  then  made  using  benzoinated 
lard  made  with  Japan  wax,  according  to  the  following  formula : 
used  : 
Formula  No.  i. 
Benzoinated  Lard 
Japan  Wax  .  .  . 
97  grammes. 
Formula  No.  1. 
Zinc  Oxide  .... 
Benzoinated  Lard  . 
.  20  grammes. 
.  80 
