180 
LINIMENTUM SAPONIS. 
in the substitution of three ounces of water for a similar 
quantity of spirit. It will be observed, however, that the 
soap is not kept perfectly in solution. 
3. Another specimen, No. 3, was prepared in the same 
way as the last, but substituting four ounces of water for 
four ounces of the spirit, and this retains its fluid condition. 
The formula by which this is made will stand thus : — 
Take of Soap, ^iij. 
Camphor, ^j. 
Rectified spirit, fgxij. 
Oil of Rosemary, rt\,xij. 
Distilled water, f^iv. 
Dissolve the camphor and the oil of rosemary in the spirit, 
then dissolve the soap in the water with a gentle heat, and 
mix the two solutions. 
I think it would be an improvement in the formula to in- 
crease the quantity of oil of rosemary to half a drachm or a 
drachm. 
In the above process, I have used a solution of oil of rose- 
mary in spirit for the spirit of rosemary in the Pharmacopoeia. 
The College directs spirit of rosemary to be made by mixing 
together oil of rosemary, rectified spirit, and water, and 
then distilling off' a quantity equal to the spirit used. The 
product will, of course, consist of the spirit and the volatile 
oil, which pass over, leaving the water behind. Now, I 
would query whether this and some of the other spirits 
which are now directed to be made by distillation, would 
not for all practical purposes be as good if the essential oil 
was merely dissolved in the spirit and the distillation omit- 
ted. The only advantage that can result from distillation 
when essential oil is used, is that by this means any non- 
volatile constituent of the oil is rejected, and in the cases of 
those oils which become resinified by exposure to the air, 
the product may be somewhat more pure where distillation 
has been adopted ; but oil of rosemary and oil of lavender 
do not become resinified to any appreciable extent, if care- 
