Clarified mutton suet, 51⁄2 lbs.; white wax and spermaceti, of each 3⁄4 lb.; as above.
Obs. The materials should be melted by a very gentle heat (that of a water bath is best) in a clean stoneware vessel, and as soon as perfect liquefaction takes place, the heat should be withdrawn, and the fluid cerate strained into a clean vessel, and stirred with a clean wooden spatula until it solidifies. To facilitate the cooling, the vessel may be placed in cold water or in a current of cold air. In this way the product is rendered both whiter and finer than when the liquid mass is allowed to cool by itself. By adding a little flowers of benzoin with the oil, or a little nitric ether when the cerate is about half cold, this, as well as other like preparations, will keep for years without becoming rancid or suffering any material change of condition.
Uses, &c. Emollient and cooling. It is commonly employed as a soft, cooling dressing, as a lip salve, as an application to chaps, chilblains, &c.
Cerate, Sul′phur. Syn. Cera′tum sulphu′ris, C. sulphura′tum, L. Prep. (P. C.) Washed sulphur, 2 parts; cerate of Galen, 7 parts; almond oil, 1 part; mix. In itch, &c.
Cerate, Sul′phide of Mer′cury. Prep. (Swediaur.) Yellow resin, 1⁄2 oz.; yellow wax and lard, of each 1⁄2 lb.; vermilion, 20 gr. As a dressing to unhealthy ulcers. See Cerate, Cinnabar.
Cerate, Tobac′co. Prep. Beeswax, 3 oz.; yellow resin, 1 oz.; olive oil, 6 oz.; tobacco juice, 4 oz.; mix and evaporate to dryness, and when nearly cold, add bergamot, 2 dr. Used to destroy pediculi, &c.
Cerate, Touch. Syn. Cera′tum pro tec′tu, L.; Cerat pour le toucher, Fr. Prep. (Soubeiran.) Spermaceti and yellow wax, of each 1 part; olive oil, 16 parts; melt, add caustic soda, 1 part, and stir until cold. Used in hospitals for practising the touching in accouchements.
Cerate, Turner’s. See Cerate, Calamine.
Cerate, Ver′digris. Syn. Cera′tum æru′ginis, C. cu′pri diaceta′tis, L. Prep. 1. Resin cerate, 19 parts; verdigris (in fine powder), 1 part.
2. (For. Ph.) Wax and resin, of each 6 parts; Venice turpentine, 5 parts; linseed oil, 2 parts; verdigris, 1 part. Used as a mild escharotic and stimulant to fungous ulcers, warts, corns, &c.