Ceratum Cetacei (U. S. P.)—Spermaceti Cerate.
Related entry: Cetaceum (U. S. P.)—Spermaceti
SYNONYMS: Emplastrum spermatis ceti, Ceratum labiate album.
Preparation.—Spermaceti, one hundred grammes (100 Gm.) [3 ozs. av., 231 grs.]; white wax, three hundred and fifty grammes (350 Gm.) [12 ozs. av., 151 grs.]; olive oil, five hundred and fifty grammes (550 Gm.) [1 lb. av., 3 ozs., 175 grs.]; to make one thousand grammes (1000 Gm.) [2 lbs. av., 3 ozs., 120 grs.]. Melt together the spermaceti and white wax; then add the olive oil, previously heated, and stir the mixture constantly until it is cool"—(U. S. P.).
This preparation should be perfectly free from lumpiness, should not be rancid, and should have a white color. Should the olive oil be added without previous heating, a lumpy cerate is produced. The following old formula also produces a spermaceti cerate:
"Take of olive oil, 6 parts; white wax, 3 parts; spermaceti, 1 part. Heat the oil gently; add the wax and spermaceti; stir the whole briskly when it is fluid, and continue the agitation until it is cool" (Ed.). It is found that this cerate may be preserved a much longer time when made of yellow instead of white wax, and of olive oil not bleached (J. B. Barnes).
Action and Medical Uses.—Spermaceti cerate is used as a mild and unirritating application to superficial ulcers, excoriations, blisters, etc.; more active ingredients are sometimes added to it (P.).
Other Cerates.—RED LIP-SALVE. Place in a vessel, oil of almonds, 1 pound; spermaceti, white wax, alkanet-root, of each, 2 ounces. Melt over a steam or water-bath, and allow the articles to digest on the alkanet 4 or 5 hours to extract its color; then strain through fine muslin, and add 2 drachms of oil of roses just before the mixture cools. Stir well together.
WHITE LIP-SALVE.—Melt, as above, oil of almonds, 4 ounces, with white wax and spermaceti, each, 1 ounce. When nearly cool, add oil of bitter almonds, ½ drachm; oil of geranium, 15 minims. Stir thoroughly together. After the lip-salve is poured into pots, and has become cold, a red-hot iron must be held over it temporarily, in order that the heat radiated from the iron may melt the surface of the salve, and make it even and smooth (Amer. Jour. Pharm., Vol. XXVIll, p. 86).
CAMPHOR COLD-CREAM is made by melting together almond oil, wax, spermaceti, of each, 1 pound; now pass into the mixture, in a very small stream, of rose water, 1 pound, agitating constantly until the whole is introduced and well incorporated. Then add powdered Camphor, 2 ounces; oil of rosemary, 1 drachm.
ROSE COLD-CREAM is made similarly of almond oil, rose water, each, 1 pound; white wax, spermaceti, each, 1 ounce; oil of roses, ½ drachm.
CAMPHOR BALL is made by melting together, spermaceti, 3 drachms; white wax, 4 drachms; almond oil, 1 ounce; and then adding powdered camphor, 3 drachms.
CAMPHOR ICE is made by melting spermaceti, 1 drachm, with almond oil, 1 ounce, and adding powdered camphor, 1 drachm (see also Ceratum Camphorae Compositum, N. F.).
CERATUM ROSATUM. Rose cerate, Lip-salve.—White wax, 50 parts; oil of almonds (expressed), 100 parts; carmine, ½ part; essential oil of rose, ½ part. Rub the carmine with a portion of the oil. Melt the wax and almond oil together with moderate heating; add the carmine (in oil) when the mixture has partially cooled, stirring all intimately together, and lastly, add the oil of rose. This is in accordance with the French Codex.
