Chemically true oleates have been introduced by Dr. Shoemaker, of Pennsylvania, and used by Dr. James Sawyer: obtained by double decomposition of sodium oleate (a solution in 8 parts of water) with solutions of neutral salts, when the oleate of the metal precipitates [the sodium oleate being prepared by the saponification of oleid acid with a solution of sodium hydrate]. The oleates enter very readily the minute openings of the skin, and are, therefore, most valuable in skin diseases; but they are not conveyed by the lymphatics into the blood; the mercury, especially in mercurous oleate, is, however, absorbed by the system. Of precipitated oleates, the following are employed.

Oleates of Zinc (a pearl-colour powder for excessive sweating), Lead, and Copper, thus produced, can be used in the proportion of 1 1/2 drachms to the ounce of fossiline, vaseline, or lard. The washed precipitate of oleate of Copper, with 4 or 9 parts of lard, etc, gives a 20 or a 10 per cent, of oleate of copper ointment, valuable in ringworm and tinea versicolor; an escharotic in warts and corns, etc, for bleeding eczema.

Oleate of Iron, with equal parts of lard, is a good styptic astringent.

Oleate of Nickel is an astringent caustic to old ulcers, and Oleate of Tin benefits diseased nails.

Normal precipitated oleates (soft) of Aluminium, strongly astringent in ulcers, eczema, etc.; Arsenic, soothing and emollient against itching, etc.; Bismuth, caustic in lupus, warts, etc.; Mercury - mercuric oleate is excellent in parasitic diseases, killing all parasites, vegetable and animal, such as ringworm, etc.; mercurous oleate is stronger, and is readily absorbed in the inunction treatment of syphilis - Lead (anti-irritant sedative), allaying inflammation, and Silver, are also prepared and used.

Also ointments and powders for dusting, containing each 20 % of the above oleates (5 % of arsenic only); also oleates containing of Aconitia, Atropia, Strychnia, and Veratria, 2 %; Veratria, 10 %; Quinia, 5 %, 10 %, and 25 % (of little use); Mercury, 10 %, and Morphia, 2 %; Mercury, 20 %, and Morphia, 5 %.

The above strengths have reference to the percentage of true oleates.

In the second edition of his work on Oleates, Dr. Shoemaker advises the admixture of Lanolin, to reduce their strength. Oleum Deelinse.

So called because manufactured by the Dee Oil Company. Recommended by Dr. John Roberts, of Chester (Practitioner, vol. 34, p. 401). and Dr. Simon of Birmingham {Brit. Med. Jour., June 25th, 1887).

A heavy odourless hydrocarbon oil.

Therapeutics. Useful in eczema in the following formula:

Olei deelinae, 1 ounce. Olei ricini, 1 ounce. Olei olivse, 2 ounces. Oleum Cad inum. Oil of Cade.

Synonyms. - "Huile de Cade "; Juniper Tar Oil.

An empyreumatic oily liquid obtained by the destructive distillation of the woody portions of Juniperus Oxycedrus, Linn., and some other species.

Characters. A dark reddish-brown viscid liquid, with an empyreumatic odour and an acrid taste. Specific gravity about 0.990. It is soluble in ether and chloroform and very slightly in water. - 1890. Add. to B. P.