This section is from the book "Recent Materia Medica: Notes On Their Origin And Therapeutics", by F. Harwood Lescher. Also available from Amazon: Recent materia medica.
These are prepared by slowly dissolving the metallic oxide or alkaloid in oleic acid, without heat: they are solutions of the oleates in an excess of oleic acid : (Marshall's formula).
They should not be rubbed in, but very lightly applied with a brush or the finger. Oleate of Morphia affects for good the nerve extremities; useful in all inflammations near the skin, relieving pain in acute rheumatism, neuralgia, threatened abscess, tonsillitis, enlarged glands, epididymitis (well replacing belladonna and mercurial oint-ment). The Oleate of Mercury kills pediculi and their ova, eases herpes zoster, and of 20 % strength salivates easily. The principal oleates are of the following strengths :-
Mercury ... 10% 15% or 20% | of oxid.; is a good way to ex. hibit the metal. 10 % in ring-worm, as a parasiticide. |
Lead ... normal (29.0) | in eczema, to relieve irritation. |
Zinc ... „ (12.9) | soothing. |
Arsenic ... 5 % | caustic in lumps, eczema, etc. |
Copper ... 10% | caustic, stimulating. |
Bismuth ... normal (22.2) | stimulating and soothing. |
Iron ... „ (11.7) | astringent. |
Oleates of Aluminium, an astringent dressing for ulcers; Nickel, Sodium, etc, have also been made. Oleate of Mercury and Morphia is usually 10 % of former and 2 % of latter; also 20 % of former and 5 % of latter. Oleates of the stronger Alkaloids, Aconitia, Atropia, Strychnine, and Veratrine are generally 2 %; Oleate of Morphia, usually 5 %; Oleate of Quinine, 5 %, 10 %, and 25 % have been administered.
 
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