NOTE ON CERATUM SAPONIS. 
27 
ART. VI. — NOTE ON CERATUM SAPONIS. By E. Durand. 
The process of the Pharmacopoeia, U. S. for the preparation 
of the Ceratum saponis, presents many difficulties in the exe- 
cution ; added to which the ointment is apt to vary in strength 
and is of an unpleasant appearance. 
An excellent and perfectly white cerate (if white wax be 
employed,) of very nearly the strength intended, can be rea- 
dily obtained by the following method. 
jfc Liquor of subacetate of lead, U. S. f. lb. ij. 
White soap, lb. ss. 
Boil over a slow fire (and towards the termination of this pro- 
cess on a water bath, to avoid burning,) until the articles are 
perfectly incorporated and the water driven off; then add — 
Wax, ^x. 
Olive oil, i. pint. 
Previously melted together, and mix the whole thoroughly. 
The first part of this process might be advantageously ap- 
plied to the preparation of a lead plaster. The decomposition 
that takes place when the salt of lead comes in contact with 
the melted soap, results in a pure margarate and oleate of lead, 
or Emplastrum plumbi, of a brilliant white colour. 
