QUALITIES. This substance differs only from the former, in being
colourless, harder, heavier, and less fusible. USES. It is said to be
demulcent, and very useful in dysentery, but it is rarely used. FORMS OF
EXHIBITION. It may be formed into a mixture by melting it with one-third
of its weight of soap, and then gradually adding to it any mucilaginous
liquid. ADULTERATIONS. _White Lead_ may be detected by melting the wax
in water, when the oxide will fall to the bottom of the vessel; _tallow_
may be suspected when the cake wants its usual translucency.
CERATA. L.E. Cerates.
These compositions are characterized by a degree of consistence,
intermediate between that of plasters, and that of ointments. As this
consistence is obtained from the wax which they contain, they very
properly derive from that substance the generic appellation of
_Cerates_.
CERATUM CALAMINÆ. L. (_Ceratum lapidis Calaminaris._ P.L. 1787. _Ceratum
epuloticum. P.L._ 1745). Ceratum Carbonatis Zinci Impuri. E. Unguentum
Calaminare. D.—These preparations have been long known under the name of
_Turner’s Cerate_; they form the basis of many extemporaneous cerates,
in some of which nitric oxide of mercury, in the proportion of ʒj of the
oxide to ℥j of cerate, and in others, the liquor of sub-acetate of lead,
are introduced. By the former combination we obtain a very useful
application to indolent and ill-conditioned ulcers, a valuable stimulant
for inducing an action conducive to the regeneration of parts. By the
latter combination we derive a remedy highly extolled by our most
experienced surgeons, in the cure of burns and scalds.
CERATUM CANTHARIDIS. L. The basis of this preparation is spermaceti
cerate _six parts_, to which is added, of powdered flies _one part:_ as
it is intended to promote a purulent discharge from a blistered surface,
it may be reduced in strength according to circumstances.
CERATUM CETACEI. L. (_Ceratum Spermatis ceti. P.L._ 1787. Ceratum Album,
P.L. 1745). Ceratum Simplex. E. It furnishes a soft and cooling
dressing, and constitutes a convenient basis for more active
combinations, as in the following instance.
CERATUM PLUMBI ACETATIS. L. (_Unguentum Cerussæ Acetatæ, P.L._ 1787.)
This is cooling for burns, excoriations, and inflamed surfaces.
CERATUM PLUMBI COMPOSITUM. L. (_Cerat: Lithargyri acetati compositum.
P.L._ 1787.) This is “_Goulard’s Cerate_” and is applicable to the same
cases as the former cerate; the camphor which enters into its
composition imparts a gently stimulating power to it; it proves
extremely serviceable in chronic opthalmia of the tarsus, and for the
increased secretion of tears, which so frequently affects the eyes of
persons advanced in years.
CERATUM RESINÆ. L. (_Ceratum resinæ flavæ, P.L._ 1787. _Ceratum
citrinum._ 1745. _Yellow Basilicon_). Unguent: Resinosum, E. Unguent:
Resinæ albæ. D. It is stimulant, digestive, and cleansing, and affords a
very excellent application for foul and indolent ulcers.
CERATUM SABINÆ. L. _Savine Cerate._ It is intended to keep up a purulent
discharge from a blistered surface; in practice however it is often
found to fail from the difficulty of obtaining it good, since the acrid
principle of the plant is injured by long boiling, and by being
previously dried; the ointment also loses its virtue by exposure to the
air.
CERATUM SAPONIS. L. This preparation was much used and recommended by
the late Mr. Pott; in preparing it the greatest possible caution is
required; the fire should never be too rapidly applied, the stirring
should be uniform and incessant, and the heat should only be sufficient
to keep the two compositions liquid at the time when they are united.
The original intention of the cerate was to afford, when spread upon
linen, a mechanical support to fractured limbs, and to keep the points
of the bone in due apposition, while in consequence of the _acetate of
lead_ which is formed in the first stage of the process for its
preparation, it possesses the virtues of a saturnine dressing. As a
mechanical agent it may prove at once effectual and dangerous, for if it
be applied before all inflammation and swelling have entirely
disappeared, the inflamed vessels may be completely strangulated by its
unrelenting pressure, and high erysipelatous inflammation, and a rapid
state of gangrene may be the result.
CERATUM SIMPLEX. A useful application to excoriations and sores.
Besides the above cerates, there are many magistral[458] preparations,
of great practical value, and I must refer the surgical student for an
account of them to that very useful little manual, entitled
“_Pharmacopœia Chirurgica_.”