Volume 2

A textbook of pharmacology, therapeutics and materia medica.

  • Brunton, T. Lauder (Thomas Lauder), 1844-1916.
Date:
1893
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: A textbook of pharmacology, therapeutics and materia medica. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by Royal College of Physicians, London. The original may be consulted at Royal College of Physicians, London.

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    B.P. Paraffinum Molle. SoftPaeaffin. Synonyms: Petro- latum ; Petroleine ; Unguentum Paraffinum. A semi-solid mixture containing some of the softer or more fluid members of the paraffin series of hydrocarbons; usually obtained by purifying the less volatile portions of petroleum. It is known in commerce by various fanciful names. Characters.—White or yellowish, translucent, soft, greasy; free from acidity, alkalinity, or any unpleasant odour or flavour, even when warmed to 120° F. (48-9° C). Specific gravity at the melting-point, from about 0-840 to 0*870. Melts at 95° to 105° F. (35° to 40o-5 C), or even somewhat higher, volatilises without giving acrid vapours, and burns with a bright flame, leaving no residue. Solubility.—Insoluble in water, slightly soluble in absolute alcohol, freely soluble in ether, chloroform, benzene, &c. Reactions.—It is not saponified by solutions of alkalis. Preparations. Unguentum Acidi Borici. „ Carbolici. „ Salicylici. „ Eucalypti. „ Glycerini Plumbi Subace- tatis. Unguentum Hydrargyri Oxidi Rubri. „ Nitratis Dilutum. Potassffi Sulphurata?. Sulphuris Iodidi. Veratrinae. Zinci Oleati. Uses.—These hydrocarbons, which are not liable to become rancid, have been found very useful as a bland protection, and as a substitute for animal and vegetable fats in the preparation of ointments. ALCOHOLS. Alcohols of the Series C2H2n+1OH.—These may be re- garded as hydrates of the radicals. They differ from the hydridep by the radical being united in them to hydroxyl, HO, instead o. to hydrogen. The most important of them are Methyl alcohol, CH40. Wood spirit. Ethyl alcohol, C2H60. Spirit of wine. Propyl alcohol. C3H80. Amyl alcohol, C5H120. Fusel oil or potato spirit. General Action.—These alcohols have all a toxic action when given in sufficiently large doses. The general effect they produce on the organism appears to be much the_ same in all, viz. paralysis affecting the nerve-centres in the inverse order of their development. Their lethal power and the sj^mptoms they produce are modified by their physical characters, such as their solubility in water, and their volatility; for if they are not readily soluble in water they cannot be readily absorbed, and probably will not be readily excreted. Their toxic power increases with their atomic weight, so that a less quantity of the higher alcohols will produce death. This is shown in the fol- lowing table by Dujardin-Beaumetz. It will be noticed, how-