Charta Sinapis (U. S. P.)—Mustard Paper.
Related entry: Sinapis Nigra (U. S. P.)—Black Mustard
Preparation.—"Black mustard, in No. 60 powder, one hundred grammes (100 Gm.) [3 ozs. av., 213 grs.]; India rubber, ten grammes (10 Gm.) [154 grs.]; benzin, carbon disulphide, each a sufficient quantity. Pack the black mustard in a conical percolator, and gradually pour benzin upon it until the percolate ceases to produce a permanent, greasy stain upon blotting paper. Remove the powder from the percolator, and dry it by exposure to the air. Having meanwhile dissolved the India rubber in a mixture of one hundred cubic centimeters (100 Cc.) each, of benzin and carbon disulphide, mix the purified mustard with a sufficient quantity of the solution to produce a semi-liquid magma, and apply this, by means of a suitable brush, to one side of a piece of rather stiff, well-sized paper, so as to cover it completely, and then allow the surface to dry. A surface of sixty square centimeters should contain about 4 Gm. of black mustard deprived of oil. Before it is applied to the skin, mustard paper should be dipped in warm water for about 15 seconds"—(U. S. P.).
That of the British Pharmacopoeia is inferior to this paper, inasmuch as the oil is not extracted from the mustard, nor has the paper prepared with gutta-percha solution the flexibility of that made as above directed. While not as useful as mustard cataplasm, mustard paper is more convenient for travellers, and has the advantage of being always ready for use.
Action and Medical Uses.—In this paper the adhesion is perfect, and the preparation remains unalterable by time or atmospheric action. To use it requires only to wet it with water for 12 or 15 seconds, and then apply upon the skin, when it becomes a most active sinapism. M. Paul Rigollot is the inventor. This sinapism has been found more efficient than ammonia in the bites or stings of horseflies, gnats, mosquitoes, bees, wasps, etc. As soon as the first sensation of the sinapism is felt, the pain and swelling rapidly disappears, and in from 1 to 24 hours the cure is complete. It may be used in all cases where a sinapism is indicated, except, perhaps, in a mustard foot-bath; it requires no loss of time in preparation, no water, no fire, no flour, no linen, is easily conveyed about, and acts promptly.
