/ 
COLD  CREAM.  65 
A.  It  is  a  fine  cooling  thing,  (for  what  denomination  to  give 
it  I  scarce  know)  and  exceeding  good,  yea  super-excellent  to 
cure  inflamations  in  wounds  or  tumors." 
The  above,  I  presume,  is  the  original  formula  of  Galen. 
I  will  now  present  a  formula  for  cold  cream  which  I  have  em- 
ployed for  several  years  with  unusual  satisfaction.  It  affords 
an  elegant  ointment  and  of  good  consistency,  of  sufficient  firm- 
ness in  summer  and  not  too  hard  in  winter.  It  also  possesses 
the  desirable  quality  of  keeping  well  at  all  seasons,  I  consider 
it  greatly  preferable  to  that  prepared  with  rose  water  for  popu- 
lar use ;  and  is  also  eligible  as  a  substitute  for  the  officinal  ungt. 
aquae  rosae  for  almost  any  purpose.  Should  the  proportions  given 
yield  a  preparation  of  too  firm  consistence  in  cold  weather  in 
some  sections  of  the  country,  the  quantity  of  wax  may  be  less- 
ened. The  quantity  and  kind  of  perfume  may  also  be  varied  to 
suit  the  fancy. 
R    01.  Amygdal,  Dulc.   f^  xss. 
Cetacei  |iij  5vj.  (Troy) 
Cerae  Albae  5.  x. 
01.  Rosae  gtt.  vj  vel  gtt.  x. 
Melt  together,  by  means  of  a  water-bath,  the  oil,  spermaceti 
and  wax,  and  strain  through  muslin  if  necessary  ;  stir  constantly 
until  it  begins  to  thicken  ;  then  beat  it  well,  and  when  it  has 
become  quite  cool  add  the  oil  of  rose  and  continue  the  beating 
process  till  the  oil  is  thoroughly  incorporated  and  the  ointment 
is  of  a  snowy  whiteness.  Any  stray  portions  that  might  un- 
avoidably harden  upon  the  sides  of  the  dish  should  be  removed, 
and  rubbed  perfectly  smooth  upon  an  ointment  slab,  before  ad- 
mixture with  the  rest. 
The  true  secret  in  making  an  ointment  of  this  kind  nicely, 
consists  in  stirring  and  beating  it  well  while  cooling.  A  little 
extra  labor  bestowed  upon  this  part  of  the  operation  will  be  well 
spent,  and  amply  repaid  by  the  enhanced  beauty  and  elegance 
of  the  product. 
A  capacious  porcelain  evaporating  dish  should  be  employed, 
in  which  to  prepare  this  ointment. 
Special  care  should  be  taken  in  the  selection  of  the  ingre- 
dients, and  none  but  fresh,  sweet  and  strictly  pure  should  be 
5 
