Mr. Martenson, of St. Petersburg, who, it will be remembered, was one of
the Russian delegates to the International Pharmaceutical Congress, has
been analyzing a number of French preparations for the toilet, most of
which are familiar to our readers, at any rate by name and repute.
1. _Eau de Fleurs de Lys_--(Planchon and Riet, Paris.)--An infallible
banisher of freckles, etc., etc. The bottle contains 100 grammes of
a milky fluid, made up of 97 per cent. of water, 2.5 per cent. of
precipitated calomel, and a small quantity of common salt and corrosive
sublimate, and scented with orange flower water.
2. _Eau de Blanc de Perles_.--The bottle contains 120 grammes of a weak
alkaline solution, with a thick deposit of 15 per cent. of carbonate of
lead, and scented with otto of roses and geranium.
3. _Nouveau Blanc de Perle, Extra Fin_.--(Lubin, Paris.)--The bottles
contains 35 grammes of a liquid consisting of water, holding in
suspension about equal parts of zinc oxide, magnesic carbonate, and
powdered talc, perfumed with otto of roses.
4. _Lait de Perles_.--A close imitation of No. 3, the bottle holding
nearly three times the quantity for the same price. The amount of the
precipitate in this case is 20 per cent.
5. _Lait de Perles_.--(Legrand, Paris).--The bottles contain 65 grammes
of a thick white fluid, the precipitate from which consists of zinc
oxide and bismuth oxychloride, and is scented with rose water.
6. _Lait Antiphélique_.--(Candès and Co., Paris.)--Each bottle contains
140 grammes of a milky fluid, smelling strongly of camphor, and having
an acid reaction. It contains alcohol, camphor, ammonic chloride,
half per cent. of corrosive sublimate, albumen, and a little free
hydrochloric acid.
7. _Lait de Concombres_.--The bottle contains 160 grammes of a very
inelegantly made emulsion, smelling of very common rose-water, with an
unpleasant twang about it, and giving a strongly alkaline reaction.
It consists of soap, glycerin, and cotton seed oil, made into a
semi-emulsion.
8. _Crême de Fleurs des Lys; Blanc de Ville Onctueux_.--About 30 grammes
of a kind of weak ointment contained in a small pomatum pot prettily
ornamented. It is simply a salve made of wax oil, and possibly lard,
mixed with a large proportion of zinc oxide, and smelling of inferior
otto of roses.
9. _Páte de Velonas_.-This paste consists of almond, and possibly other
meal mixed with soap powder, and has a strong alkaline reaction. It is
scented with orris-root.
10. _Rouge Végétal_.--The box contains 8½ grammes of raspberry colored
powder, consisting chiefly of China clay and talc, tinted to the proper
depth with extract of cochineal.
11. _Rouge Extra Fin Foncé_.--A small square bottle containing 11
grammes of a deep red solution, smelling of otto of roses and ammonia.
It consists of a solution of carmine in ammonia, with an addition of a
certain amount of alcohol.
12. _Rouge de Dorin_.--_Extract des Fleurs des Indes_.--A round pot
containing a porcelain disk, covered with about 6 grammes of a bright
red paste, which is a mixture of carthamin or safflower with talc. This
rouge, which differs from all the others, is harmless and effectual,
but must bear a high profit seeing that the ingredients cost only a few
half-pence, while it sells in St. Petersburg at about 4s. 9d. a pot.
13. _Etui Mystérieux ou Boite de Maintenon_.--A prettily got-up box
containing red and white paint, and two sticks of black and blue
cosmetic for the eyebrows and veins, with camel's hair pencils for
applying the latter. Sells in St. Petersburg at 6s. 4d.
14. _Philidore_.--_Remède Specifique pour oter les Pellicules de la
tête, etc_.--The bottle contains 100 grammes of a strong alkaline
solution smelling strongly of ammonia, and containing potash, ammonia,
alcohol, glycerin, and eau de cologne.
15. _Colorigène Rigaud_.--A blue bottle containing 160 grammes of a
clear fluid with a slight black deposit, consisting of a mixture of
equal parts of a 14 per cent. solution of sodic hyposulphate, and a 4
per cent. solution of lead acetate. Of course the longer this solution
is kept the more lead sulphate it deposits. It sells in St. Petersburg
at 8s. per bottle. It is also stated to be much more powerful if used
in conjunction with the _Pommade Miranda Rigaud_. This beats Mrs.
Allen completely out of the field.--_Pharmaceutische Zeitschrift für
Russland_.
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