US219364A - Improvement in salves - Google Patents

Description

UNITED STATES PATENT OEEIoE.

JOHN W. OSBORNE, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

IMPROVEMENT IN SALVES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 219.364., dated September 9, 1879; application filed January 14, 1879.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, JOHN WALTER Os- BORNE, of the city of Washington, in the District of Columbia, United States of America, have invented and discovered a certain new, useful, and Improved Composition for the Protection and Preservation of the Skin, of

which the followingis a specification.

are about one (1) part of eucalyptus-oil to two (2) parts of refined paraffine; but these proportions may be departed from to some extent without injuriously affecting the com pound.

In winter the proportion of eucalyptus-oil to paraffine should be somewhat greater than that above given to obtain the same degree of fluidity as in summer, the object being to make the composition just plastic enough to be easily spread in athin-filinon the skin, so that when the volatile oil shall have partially evaporated a continuous coating of protective elastic material shall remain, sufficient to exclude air an d moisture and defend the skin against all agencies-which tend to rob it of its suppleness. The union of the eucalyptus-oil and paraffine is effected by the aid of heat.

To the compound so formed a small quantity of white wax may be addedabout one per centum. This does not affect the preservative and healing properties of the preparation in any way; but it is useful in hindering a slight tendency which the paraffine possesses to crystallize out of the solvent and separate from it in part. The presence of the wax causes the whole to remain homogeneous, and

is therefore serviceable, though not absolutely essential.

This invention is an improvement on my former Patent No. 111,376, of 1871, in which I employed the mineral oils as solvents for paraffine; but for medicinal and toilet purposes I find the oil of eucalyptus to be a vast improvement over any mineral ingredient, inasmuch as, in addition to solvent properties of equal efficiency, it has a positive healing action of its own upon the skin, due to its balsamic properties; and, furthermore, its natural fragrance obviates the need of adding any of the essential oils which must be used in conjunction with the products of petroleum to overcome or disguise their disagreeable odor.

If desired, the perfume of the eucalyptus may, however, be modified to suit taste or fancy by the addition of any agreeable and non-irritating perfume.

In cases of chaps, cracks, or roughness of the skin caused by exposure to cold or wet, this compoundisa healing agent of great value, and a protection against the weather as well, each of its ingredients contributing to its efiicacy for these purposes.

It is cleanly and non-oleaginou's, and does not soil or injure the most delicate clothing, and, by reason of the absence of mineral oil, is

a most valuable toilet articleand remedial preparation for delicate or chapped skin, particularly of ladies or children, or for burns and most epidermal injuries, while equally as efficient as the former preparation as a protective for the hands of dyers, chemists, photogra pliers, 850., against acids, alkalies, and other corrosive agents.

I claim- The improved composition herein described, consisting of eucalyptus oil combined with paraffine, substantially as specified.

JOHN WALTER OSBORNE.

Witnesses:

GEo. F. GRAHAM, J OSEPH LOCKEY.