Oil, Whale. Syn. Train oil, Whale-train o.; Oleum balænæ, O. ceti, L. From the blubber of the Balæna mysticetus (Linn.), or the common or Greenland whale, by heat. Coarse; stinking. Southern whale oil is the best. Used for lamps, machinery, &c. Sp. gr. ·9231. Prod. per fish, about 11⁄2 ton for each foot of bone.
Oil of Wheat. Syn. Oleum tritici, L. From bruised Colne wheat, with heat. In chilblains, ringworm, and several other skin diseases.
Oil of Wine-stones. Syn. Grape-stone oil; Oleum vitis viniferæ lapidum, L. From the seeds of grapes, separated from the marc.
Pale yellow, bland, emollient. Used for salads and lamps. Sp. gr. ·9202. Prod. 14% to 18%.
⁂ The numbers given above, under ‘products,’ unless when otherwise stated, refer to the respective fruits, kernels, nuts, seeds, &c., deprived of their husks, pods, shells, and every other portion destitute of oil.
OILS (Medicated). Syn. Olea cocta, O. infusa, O. medicata, L. These are prepared by infusion or decoction. The bruised ingredients are either simply digested in 2 to 4 times their weight of olive oil for some days, or they are gently boiled in it until they become dry and crisp, great care being taken that the heat towards the end of the process is not greater than that of boiling water. As soon as the process is complete, the oil is allowed to drain from the ingredients, which are then (if necessary) submitted to the action of the press. The product is commonly run through flannel or a hair sieve whilst still warm, after which it is allowed to repose for a week or ten days, when the clear portion is decanted from the dregs. The green or recent plants are usually employed for this purpose, but, in many cases, the dried plants, reduced to powder, and digested for 6 or 8 hours in the oil, at the heat of hot water, with frequent agitation, yield a much more valuable product. They are nearly all employed as external applications only.
⁂ The following are the most important preparations of this class:—
Oil of Adder’s Tongue. Syn. Oleum ophio glossi, L. From the herb, as OIL OF BELLADONNA. A popular vulnerary.
Oil of Ants. Syn. Oleum formicarum. Digest 4 oz. of ants in 16 oz. (by weight) of olive oil with a gentle heat, and strain.
Oil of Bal′sam Apple. Syn. Oleum balsaminæ. Prep. Balsam apple (deprived of seeds), 1 oz.; oil of almonds, 4 oz.; digest and strain.