SUBSTITUTE  FOR  LARD  IN  OINTMENTS. 
231 
mal  tissues.  Silk  dissolves  even  more  easily  than  cotton,  and 
acids  precipitate  from  the  clear  solution  a  gelatinous  body. 
Wool  is  only  dissolved  by  the  aid  of  heat.  Hair  is  gradually 
decomposed  by  the  liquid,  but  without  effecting  solution.  Blad- 
der swells  at  first,  and  afterwards  dissolves.  Starch  is  not  dis- 
solved by  the  liquid. 
The  solution  of  basic  sulphate  of  copper  in  ammonia  has  the 
same  properties  as  the  above  solution,  and  may,  of  course,  be 
more  easily  prepared. — Client.,  Q-az.,from  Journ.,fur  Prakt., 
Chemie„  Feb.,  1858. 
SUBSTITUTE  FOR  LARD  IN  OINTMENTS. 
By  James  J.  T.  W.  Smite. 
In  consequence  of  the  objections  to  lard  in  the  making  of  oint- 
ments, I  was  led  to  try  an  experiment,  for  the  purpose  of  pro- 
ducing an  ointment  which  would  readily  wash  from  a  wound 
without  the  addition  of  soap  or  any  other  agency  save  water,  of 
good  consistency,  not  variable  with  change  of  temperature,  easily 
miscible  with  substances  soluble  in  water,  and  free  from  oxida- 
tion. As  far  as  theory  goes,  I  can  see  no  evidence  to 
show  why  the  following  formula  could  not  be  advantageously 
adopted : — 
Powdered  Fuller's  Earth. 
Glycerine  aa  gj, 
The  fuller's  earth  should  be  in  an  impalpable  powder,  and  to 
produce  this  with  the  least  degree  of  trouble,  I  place  a  quantity 
of  the  earth  in  a  dish,  and  pour  a  little  water  on  it.  In  a  few 
minutes  it  is  perfectly  slaked.  Place  it  in  the  oven  to  dry. 
When  perfectly  dry,  powder  it,  and  pass  it  through  a  fine  sieve. 
Of  this  powder  and  glycerine  take  equal  parts,  and  mix  thorough- 
ly in  a  jar  with  a  palette  knife,  without  the  aid  of  heat.  Its 
consistency  is  perfectly  under  the  control  of  the  operator,  as  he 
can  modulate  the  quantities  of  the  earth  or  glycerine  to  suit  his 
purpose.  The  healing  and  non-irritating  qualities  of  fuller's 
earth  need  scarcely  be  alluded  to,  but  it  appears  to  form  an  item 
in  its  favor.  I  may  also  state  that  it  is  easily  miscible  with  fats, 
if  required.    This  appears  to  be  owing  to  the  peculiar  solvent 
