Cerate, Spermace′ti

Syn. White cerate , White lip salve , Simple c. ; Ceratum sim′plex (Ph. E.), C. album (Ph. L. 1745), C. sperm a′tis ce′ti (Ph. L. 1788), C. cet a′cei (Ph. L. 1809, and since), L. Prep. 1. (Ph. L.) Spermaceti, 2 oz.; white wax, 8 oz.; melt by a gentle heat; add, olive oil (warm), 1 pint, and stir with a spatula until they cool. 2. (Ph. E.) See Cerate, Simple . 3. (Ph. D.) The corresponding preparation of the Ph. D. is cla ed under Ointments, and contains lard. 4. (Commercial.) On the large scale lard or suet is substituted for oil, by which means le wax is required. The following is a good form where a cheap article is wanted, and is that commonly adopted in the wholesale trade:— Clarified mutton suet, 5 1 ⁄ 2 lbs.; white wax and spermaceti, of each 3 ⁄ 4 lb.; as above. Obs. The materials should be melted by a very gentle heat (that of a water bath is best) in a clean stoneware ve el, and as soon as perfect liquefaction takes place, the heat should be withdrawn, and the fluid cerate strained into a clean ve el, and stirred with a clean wooden spatula until it solidifies. To facilitate the cooling, the ve el may be placed in cold water or in a current of cold air. In this way the product is rendered both whiter and finer than when the liquid ma is allowed to cool by itself. By adding a little flowers of benzoin with the oil, or a little nitric ether when the cerate is about half cold, this, as well as other like preparations, will keep for years without becoming rancid or suffering any material change of condition. Uses, . Emollient and cooling. It is commonly employed as a soft, cooling dre ing, as a lip salve, as an application to chaps, chilblains, .