X 
PRESERVATION  AND  DISPENSING  OF  OINTMENTS,  ETC.    15  L 
Mix  the  valerianic  acid  and  the  distilled  water,  and  add  a  suf- 
ficient quantity  of  carbonate  of  ammonia  to  saturate  the  acid  ; 
then  add  the  other  ingredients,  with  a  sufficient  quantity  of  car- 
amel to  impart  a  brownish  shade  to  the  mixture,  and  filter 
through  paper. — Proc.  Am.  Pharm.  Assoc.,  1865. 
ON  THE  PRESERVATION  AND  DISPENSING  OF  OINTMENTS 
AND  CERATES. 
By  William  Silver  Thompson. 
"  What  are  the  best  vessels  in  which  to  dispense  ointments  and  cerates, 
combining  fitness  with  elegance  and  accuracy?" 
The  vessels  in  most  common  use  for  dispensing  ointments  and 
cerates,  are  the  common  jar  and  gallipot  of  eathenware ;  being 
convenient  and  readily  obtained,  they  answer  the  purpose  when 
the  ointment  is  intended  for  immediate  use  only,  but  the  great 
objection  to  the  material  of  which  these  vessels  are  composed  is 
its  porous  nature,  the  glazing  not  being  perfect  enough  to  pre- 
vent the  absorption  of  the  fatty  matter  into  the  body  of .  the  jar. 
The  common  turned  wood  box  answers  a  good  purpose  for  dis- 
pensing the  ordinary  ointments  and  cerates,  and  on  the  score  of 
economy  will  no  doubt  continue  to  be  used  unless  superseded  by 
something  quite  as  cheap,  and  less  objectionable.  The  difficulty 
often  experienced  in  pasting  the  label  on  the  turned  box,  owing 
to  the  porous  nature  of  the  wood,  is  entirely  obviated  by  the  ap- 
plication of  two  or  three  coats  of  acetous  mucilage  or  liquid  glue, 
by  means  of  which  the  pores  of  the  wood  are  filled  and  a  smooth 
surface  is  prepared  for  the  label. 
The  best  vessels  in  which  to  dispense  ointments  and  cerates, 
combining  all  the  requisites  of  fitness,  elegance  and  accuracy, 
are  undoubtedly  of  glass.  For  ointments  of  very  soft  consist- 
ence, nearly  approaching  the  nature  of  liniments,  a  wide  mouth 
vial,  fitted  with  a  good  cork  stopper,  answers  a  good  purpose. 
For  ointments  of  firm  consistence  and  cerates,  the  fiat  jar  of  glass, 
with  accurately  fitting  cover,  made  by  the  New  England  Glass 
Company,  and  probably  by  other  factories,  answers  every  require- 
ment, where  the  expense  of  such  a  vessel  is  not  an  objection  ; 
and  it  would  probably  be  brought  into  general  use,  if  it  could  be 
furnished  by  the  manufacturers  at  a  lower  price. 
