Page 488 - My FlipBook

486 — DENTAL MEDICINE.

base, it forms oleate of arsenic ointment, which is soft and yellow,
having no action on the skin. When applied to wounds, or ul-
cerating surfaces, it destroys the tissue to some depth. It is used
in lupus, the ulcerating variety of epithelioma, and, after scraping
the surface, to destroy warts, corns, old granulations, etc. It
may be combined with arnica, opium, belladonna or hyoscyamus.
A number of other oleates are in use, among them Nickel oleate^
which is a greenish, waxy mass, used in the form of an ointment,
containing from five to fifteen grains to the ounce of lard, is
astringent and somewhat escharotic, and useful for hard, horny,
granulating surfaces; Silver oleate^ a brownish, pulverent sub-
stance, and, in the form of ointment, valuable for application to
ulcers, erysipelas, etc. ; Cadmium oleate^ a yellowish-white mass,
and in the form of ointment (five to fifteen grains to the ounce),
has an astringent and escharotic action, and is useful in glandular
enlargements and thickening of the integument.
OLEUM AMYGDALA DULCIS-OIL OF SWEET ALMONDS.
Derivation.—The Oil of Sweet Almonds is obtained by first
depriving the almonds of the brown powder adhering to their sur-
face, and rubbing them together in a piece of coarse linen, then
grinding in a mill or mortar, and then submitting them to pressure
in canvas sacks between slightly heated plates of iron. The oil,
which is at first turbid, is clarified by rest and filtration. It is
clear, colorless, or of a slight greenish-yellow tinge, nearly in-
odorous, with a bland, sweetish taste. It will remain liquid at
temperatures below the freezing point of water.
Medical Properties and Action.—The oil of sweet almonds is
demulcent.
Therapeutic Uses,—It is employed as an emulsion in pulmonary
affections with cough, and as a vehicle for other medicines.
Dental Uses.—The oil of sweet almonds forms a pleasant and
soothing application for excoriations of the lips and inflamed
mucous membranes ; also for soothing application to the small,
simple, but painful ulcers which sometimes appear upon the
gums, mucous membrane of the cheeks, and the tongue. Almond
mixture Mistura Amygdalce— is made by dissolving a mixture of