DERIVATION.--A mixture of hydrocarbons, chiefly of the marshgas series,
obtained by distilling off the lighter and more volatile portions from
petroleum and purifying the residue when it has reached the desired
melting point.
PROPERTIES.--A fat-like mass of about the consistence of an ointment
varying in color from yellowish to light amber, having not more than a
slight fluorescence, even after being melted; transparent in thin
layers, completely amorphous and without odor or taste, or giving off
when heated a faint odor of petroleum. In other respects soft petrolatum
has the solubility of liquid petrolatum.