The oleates in cutaneous diseases / by Henry W. Stelwagon.

  • Stelwagon, Henry W. (Henry Weightman), 1853-1919.
Date:
[1884]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The oleates in cutaneous diseases / by Henry W. Stelwagon. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    The Oleates in Cutaneous Diseases.* BY HENRY W. STELWAGON, M. D. Physician to the Philadelphia Dispensary for Skin Diseases ; Instructor in Dermatology in the University of Pennsylvania, etc. Attention was first directed to the existence of oleic acid about 1811, by Chevreul, and some mention of the oleates may be found in the pharmacy of France of that time. The earliest English paper on the subject was by Attfield, in i862.f It was not until the paper by Mr. John Marshall^ was published, in 1872, that much interest was awakened in the subject. Since that time several communications on the oleates, both as regards their pharmacy and therapeutics, have appeared in the current medical literature. § There are two methods of preparing the oleates, each of which has its advocates. The older method is by the direct combination of oleic acid with the base. The new method is by double decompo¬ sition, the oleate of sodium with a neutral metallic salt. Unquestion¬ ably the preparations by the latter method are, in appearance at .least, superior to the older oleates; in regard to the therapeutical effects, they are also probably better, although excellent results may be secured with the preparations made by the older method. It is highly probable, however, that the method of manufacture by double de¬ composition will entirely supplant the old process. Introductory to the consideration of the individual preparations, the following notes on the manufacture of oleic acid and the oleates may prove of interest: First as to the preparation of oleic acid. One of the best and cheapest methods of preparing it is as follows: The oil of sweet almonds is saponified with the oxide of lead, having an excess of oxide of lead present so as to be sure of complete saponification of the oil. The product so obtained is put in benzin, which dissolves the lead oleate, while the lead palmitate is deposited. The solution of the * Reprinted from the “Med. and Surg. Rep.” for March 16th, 1884. f Pharmaceutical Journ. and Trans., 1862-63, vol. 4, p. 388. I Lancet, May 25.1872, p. 709. § Crocker: Medical Record, 1879, p. 123; Wolff: Amer, Jour, of Pharmacy, Jan. 1879, p. 8; Nov., 1883, p. 445 ; Shoemaker: Trans. Penna. State Med. Soc., 1879, p. 707 ; Medical Bulletin, July, 1882, p. 584 ; Squibb : Ephemeris. No. 6, Nov., 1882, p. 152. (O