OINTMENT

is 4 mixture of an active substance with a fatty basis. It is important that the fat should not turn rancid, as it is then irritating and offensive. Some antiseptic, especially benzoic acid, is combined with the fat for this reason. Thus benzoated lard is very commonly used. Vaseline, which keeps fresh without a preservative, is also widely used. Lanoline, a purified fat obtained from wool, is another useful ono, though irritating to some skins, whilst recently a cocoa-nut fat sold under the namo albene bas been introduced. th ga a fat dorived from the whale, is not #0 much used as formorly, though a combination of beeswax, apormaceti, almond oil and rosewater form as the well-known “ cold cream.” Ointment is bad for healthy skins, as it hinders oe tion, and it should, on this account, be applied strictly to the affected region only. The purpose served by the fat is that it softens and penetrates into the ekin, carrying in also the ingredients that are mixed with it. Ointment may be applied by rubbing it in or by spreading it on cloth or lint, and binding this on. It may be used when:— (2) The skin is too dry, 43 | Boracie ointment rabbed in. (2) The akin is abraded be | = — or vaseline on raw - = = «= = n (3) A chronic ulcer is Yellow oxide of mercary Pe abar'cg Vases, +} Oaleceemntieiandany Fs (4) The skin is tiflamed aes y ) [s. 391]