gentle heat, and, when cooled a little, add of red precipitate (levigated), 1⁄2 dr.; oxide of zinc, 20 gr. In chronic inflammation of the coats of the eye, or of the eyelids, specks on the cornea, &c.
18. (Thomson.) Levigated oxide of zinc, 1 dr.; lard, 9 dr.; wine of opium, 20 drops. In chronic ophthalmia depending on want of tone in the vessels and integuments of the eye.
19. (Velpeau.) Precipitated sesquioxide of iron (recent, but dry), 1⁄2 dr.; lard, 5 dr.; oil of almonds, 1 fl. dr.; balsam of Peru, 15 drops. As the last, especially in ‘blear eye.’
20. (Ware.) Wine of opium, 1 fl. dr.; simple ointment, 3 dr. In ophthalmia, after the inflammatory symptoms have subsided, and the vessels remain red and turgid.
Obs. The ingredients entering into the composition of all the above ointments must be reduced to the state of impalpable powder before mixing them; and the incorporation should be made by long trituration in a wedgwood-ware mortar, or, preferably, for those that contain substances that are very gritty, by levigation on a porphyry slab, with a muller. The most serious consequences, even blindness, have resulted from the neglect of these precautions. They should all be employed in exceedingly small quantities at a time, and they should be very carefully applied by means of a camel-hair pencil or a feather; and, in general, not until acute inflammation has subsided. The stronger ones, in most cases, require dilution with an equal weight to twice their weight of lard or simple ointment, and should only be used of their full strength under proper medical advice. Various other formulæ for OPHTHALMIC OINTMENTS will be found under the names of their leading ingredients.
Ointment of Fig′wort. See Ointment of Scrophularia.
Ointment of Fox′glove. Syn. Unguentum digitalis, L. Prep. 1. From fresh foxglove as ointment of hemlock—Ph. L. As an application to chronic ulcers, glandular swellings, &c.
2. (Rademacher.) Extract of foxglove, 2 dr.; lard, 1 oz. In croup; spread on lint, and applied as a plaster to the throat.
Ointment of Fu′ligokali. See Fuligokali.
Ointment of Galls. Syn. Unguentum gallæ (B. P., Ph. D.), L. Prep. 1. (Ph. D.). Gall-nuts (in very fine powder), 1 dr.; ointment of white wax, 7 dr.; rub them together until a uniform mixture is obtained.