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Liniment
Liniment
should therefore be selected for the type of hair brush or glass applicator, the solvent
action desired (rubefacient, counterirritant, rapidly evaporates, leaving a filmy residue
or massage) and also on the solubility of the of pyroxylin. This provides an occlusive
desired components in the various solvents. protective coating to the skin, and when the
For oleaginous liniments, the solvent may collodion is medicated, it leaves a thin layer
be a fixed oil such as almond oil, peanut oil, of that medication firmly placed against the
sesame oil, or cottonseed oil or a volatile sub- skin. Naturally, collodions must be applied
stance such as wintergreen oil or turpentine, to dry tissues to adhere to the skin’s surface.
or it may be a combination of fixed and vola- The products must be clearly labeled “for
tile oils. external use only” or with words of similar
All liniments should bear a label indicat- effect.
ing that they are suitable only for external use
and must never be taken internally. Liniments Collodion
that are emulsions or that contain insoluble Collodion is a clear or slightly opalescent vis-
matter must be shaken thoroughly before cous liquid prepared by dissolving pyroxylin
use to ensure even distribution of the dis- (4%w/v) in a 3:1 mixture of ether and alco-
persed phase, and these preparations should hol. The resulting solution is highly volatile
be labeled . Liniments should and flammable and should be preserved in a
be stored in tight containers. Depending on tight container remote from fire at a tempera-
their individual ingredients, liniments are ture not exceeding 30°C.
prepared in the same manner as solutions, The product is capable of forming a pro-
emulsions, or suspensions, as the case may tective film on application to the skin and the
warrant. volatilization of the solvent. The film is use-
ful in holding the edges of an incised wound
together. However, its presence on the skin
Collodions
is uncomfortable because of its inflexible
Collodions are liquid preparations composed nature. The following product, which is flex-
of pyroxylin dissolved in a solvent mixture ible, has a greater appeal when a pliable film
usually composed of alcohol and ether with is acceptable.
or without added medicinal substances.
Pyroxylin (i.e., nitrocellulose, soluble gun Flexible Collodion
cotton, collodion cotton), obtained by the Flexible collodion is prepared by adding 2%
action of a mixture of nitric and sulfuric acids camphor and 3% castor oil to collodion. The
on cotton, consists chiefly of cellulose tetra- castor oil renders the product flexible, per-
nitrate. It has the appearance of raw cotton mitting its comfortable use over skin areas
when dry but is harsh to the touch. It is fre- that are normally moved, such as joints, fin-
quently available commercially moistened gers, and toes. The camphor makes the prod-
with about 30% alcohol or other similar uct waterproof. Physicians frequently apply
solvent. the coating over bandages or stitched inci-
One part of pyroxylin is slowly but com- sions to make them waterproof and to pro-
pletely soluble in 25 parts of a mixture of tect them from external stress.
3 volumes of ether and 1 volume of alcohol.
It is also soluble in acetone and glacial acetic Salicylic Acid Collodion
acid. Pyroxylin is precipitated from solution Salicylic acid collodion is a 10% solution
in these solvents upon the addition of water. of salicylic acid in flexible collodion. It is
Pyroxylin, like collodions, is exceedingly used for its keratolytic effects, especially in
flammable and must be stored away from the removal of corns from the toes. Patients
flame in well-closed containers, protected who use such products should be advised
from light. about their proper use. The product should
Collodions are intended for external use. be applied one drop at a time on the corn or
When applied to the skin with a fine camel’s wart, allowing time to dry before the next