A French Dentifrice

I

A preparation which has a reputation in France as a liquid dentifrice is composed of alcohol, 96 per cent, 1,000 parts; Mitcham peppermint oil, 30 parts; aniseed oil, 5 parts; oil of Acorus calamus, 0.5 parts. Finely powdered cochineal and cream of tartar, 5 parts each, are used to tint the solution. The mixed ingredients are set aside for 14 days before filtering.

Sozodont

II

The liquid tooth preparation "Sozodont" is said to contain: Soap powder, 60 parts; glycerine, 60 parts; alcohol, 360 parts; water, 220 parts; oils of peppermint, of aniseed, of clover, and of cinnamon, 1 part each; oil of winter-green, 1-200 part.

III

Thymol............ 2 grains

Benzoic acid........ 24 grains

Tincture eucalyptus.. 2 drachms Alcohol quantity sufficient to make 2 ounces. Mix. Sig.: A teaspoonful diluted with half a wineglassful of water.

IV

Carbolic acid, pure... 2 ounces Glycerine, 1,260°. ... 1 ounce

Oil wintergreen...... 6 drachms

Oil cinnamon........ 3 drachms

Powdered cochineal.. 1/2 drachm

S. V. R............. 40 ounces

Distilled water......40 ounces

Dissolve the acid in the glycerine with the aid of a gentle heat and the essential oils in the spirit; mix together, and add the water and cochineal; then let the preparation stand for a week and filter.

A mixture of caramel and cochineal coloring, N. F., gives an agreeable red color for saponaceous tooth washes. It is not permanent, however.

Variations of this formula follow: V

White castile soap.... 1 ounce Tincture of asarum... 2 drachms

Oil of peppermint..... 1/2 drachm

Oil of wintergreen.... 1/2 drachm

Oil of cloves......... 5 drops

Oil of cassia.......... 5 drops

Glycerine............ 4 ounces

Alcohol.............. 14 ounces

Water............... 14 ounces

VI

White castile soap. .    1.5 ounces

Oil of orange.......   10     minims

Oil of cassia........    5     minims

Oil of wintergreen...   15     minims

Glycerine..........    3     ounces

Alcohol............    8     ounces

Water enough to make  1 quart.

VII

White castile soap...    3 ounces

Glycerine..........    5 ounces

Water.............  20 ounces

Alcohol............  30 ounces

Oil of peppermint...    1 drachm

Oil of wintergreen...     1 drachm

Oil of orange peel...    1 drachm

Oil of anise.........    1 drachm

Oil of cassia........    1 drachm

Beat up the soap with the glycerine; dissolve the oils in the alcohol and add to the soap and glycerine. Stir well until the soap is completely dissolved.

VIII

White castile soap....    1 ounce

Orris root...........    4 ounces

Rose leaves.........    4 ounces

Oil of rose...........      1/2 drachm

Oil of neroli.........      1/2 drachm

Cochineal...........      1/2 ounce

Diluted alcohol......    2 quarts

If the wash is intended simply as an elixir for sweetening the breath, the following preparation, resembling the celebrated eau de botot, will be found very desirable:

IX

Oil of peppermint___  30 minims

Oil of spearmint.....   15 minims

Oil of cloves........    5 minims

Oil of red cedar

wood............  60 minims

Tincture of myrrh...    1 ounce

Alcohol............    1 pint

Care must be taken not to confound the oil of cedar tops with the oil of cedar wood. The former has an odor like turpentine; the latter has the fragrance of the red cedar wood.

V For a cleansing wash, a solution of soap is to be recommended. It may be made after the following formula:

X

White castile soap... 1    ounce

Alcohol............ 6    ounces

Glycerine........... 4    ounces

Hot water.......... 6    ounces

Oil of peppermint....   15    minims

Oil of wintergreen...  20    minims

Oil of cloves........ 5    minims

Extract of vanilla........ 1/2  ounce

Dissolve the soap in the hot water and add the glycerine and extract of vanilla. Dissolve the oils in the alcohol, mix the solutions, and after 24 hours filter through paper.                                   *

It is customary to color such preparations. An agreeable brown-yellow tint may be given by the addition of a small quantity of caramel. A red color may be given by cochineal. The color will fade, but will be found reasonably permanent when kept from strong light.