Prepared Frankincense. Syn. Thus præparatum (Ph. L.), L. Prep. (Ph. L.) Frankincense, 1 lb.; water, q. s. to cover it; boil until the resin is melted, and strain through a hair sieve; when the whole has cooled, pour off the water, and keep the frankincense for use. Resembles common resin in its general properties.
FRAX′ININ. Syn. Fraxin; Fraxina, L. A peculiar bitter, neutral, and crystallisable substance, soluble in boiling water, extracted from the bark of Fraxinus excelsior, or common ash. It is febrifuge.
FREC′KLES. These are round or oval-shaped yellowish spots, similar to stains, developed on the skin. There are two varieties—Freckles, or SUMMER FRECKLES, resulting from the action of the sun and heat during the summer season, and disappearing with the hot weather or exposure; and—Cold freckles, which occur at all times of the year. The former are chiefly confined to persons of fair complexion, whilst the latter attack persons of all complexions indifferently, and sometimes assume a lively yellow or greenish colour.
Treatment. Common freckles may generally be removed by the frequent application of dilute spirits, acids or alkaline solutions; the last two just strong enough to prick the tongue. Cold freckles commonly occur from disordered health, or some general disturbance of the system, to which attention should be chiefly directed. In both varieties the solution of bichloride of mercury (Ph. L.), or Gowland’s lotion, will be found a most useful external application. See below.
Freckles, Lotion for. Prep. 1. Bichloride of mercury, 5 gr.; hydrochloric acid, 30 drops; lump sugar, 1 oz.; rectified spirit of wine, 2 oz.; rose water, 7 oz.; agitate together until the whole is dissolved.
2. Petals or leaves of red roses, 1 oz.; hot water, 12 fl. oz.; infuse an hour, and strain, with expression, 1⁄2 pint; add of citric acid, 30 gr.; dissolve, and in a few hours, decant and clear.
3. Rose leaves (dried), 1⁄4 oz.; lemon juice (freshly expressed) and rum or brandy, of each 1⁄4 pint; digest 24 hours, and squeeze out the liquor for use.
4. (Kittoe’s.) Sal ammoniac, 1 dr.; spring water, 1 pint; lavender water or eau de Cologne, 1⁄4 oz; mix. The above are applied with the fingers night and morning, or oftener.
Freckles, Pomade for. Prep. 1. Citrine ointment, 1 dr.; simple ointment, 7 dr.; otto of roses, 3 drops.
2. Elder flower ointment, 1 oz.; sulphate of zinc (levigated), 20 gr.; mix by porphyrization, or by trituration in a wedgwood-ware mortar. Both the above, applied night and morning, are excellent for either cold or summer freckles.