216 
COLLODION  IN  PHARMACY. 
Should  its  preparation  be  during  winter,  the  first  duty  would 
be  to  raise  the  temperature  of  the  acids  to  between  65°  and 
75°  F.;  add  the  water  to  the  nitric  acid,  and  then  mix  with  the 
sulphuric,  stirring  with  a  glass  rod.  Notice  the  temperature 
now,  and  if  it  is  near  130°  F.,  add  the  cotton  slowly,  with  the 
rod,  so  as  to  have  it  completely  saturated  ;  let  it  remain  from 
five  to  ten  minutes,  then  remove  to  a  large  quantity  of  water 
and  wash  thoroughly  for  five  minutes.  Pick  it  well  apart,  and 
dry  by  exposure  to  a  dry  atmosphere,  or  dehydrate  with  strong 
alcohol.  To  the  product,  thus  obtained,  add  the  ether  and  shake 
briskly  until  dissolved. 
The  manipulation  of  the  second  formula  is  in  the  same  man- 
ner ;  the  water  being  replaced  by  that  in  the  nitric  acid  of  less  spe- 
cific gravity  used.  By  either  of  the  foregoing  processes  the  cotton 
increases  about  43  per  cent,  and  is  not  explosive.  I  have  noticed, 
where  the  increment  is  more  or  less  than  the  above,  unless  dis- 
solved by  the  acid,  it  would  produce  an  unsatisfactory  cotton. 
The  twelve  fluid  ounces  of  collodion  of  the  above  processes 
ought  to  contain,  with  an  increment  of  43  per  cent.,  86  grains 
of  soluble  cotton,  which  is  sufficient  to  render  it  of  a  consistency 
well  suited  for  surgical  purposes. 
COLLODION  IN  PHARMACY. 
By  James  T.  Shinn. 
As  a  general  thing,  plasters  are  disliked  by  physicians, 
patients,  and  apothecaries  ;  by  the  first,  because  so  often  they 
do  not  equal  their  expectations ;  by  the  second,  on  account  of 
difficult  application ;  and  by  the  last,  for  their  troublesome 
preparation.  Collodion,  on  account  of  its  perfect  adaptability 
to  uneven  surfaces,  easy  application,  cleanliness  and  adhesion, 
is  an  excellent  vehicle  for  the  exhibition  of  many  external  reme- 
dies, when  the  softening  effect  of  ointment  is  not  required. 
Iodine  applied  in  this  article  is  decidedly  more  active  than  the 
tincture  ;  while  even  insoluble  substances,  such  as  sulphur  and 
carbonate  of  zinc,  act  equally  well  as  in  the  corresponding  oint- 
ments. The  cotton  film  gradually  wears  off,  or  if  required,  may 
be  easily  removed  by  a  towel  moistened  with  alcohol  or  Cologne 
