Yellow Wax. A peculiar, concrete substance, prepared by Apis mellifica Linne (class Insecta; order Hymenoptera).

Characters

A yellowish to brownish-yellow solid, having an agreeable, honey-like odor, and faint balsamic taste. Sp. gr., 0.955 to 0.967.

Solubility

Insoluble in water, sparingly soluble in cold Alcohol. It is completely soluble in Ether, Chloroform, and in fixed and volatile oils.

Composition

The principal constituents are - (1) Hydrocarbons (probably C27H56 and C34H64) about 12 per cent. (2) Cerin or Cerotic Acid, C27H54O2. (3) Myricin or Myrical Palmitate, C30H61,C16H31O2, the principal constituent. (4) An Alcohol, C26H52O, in small quantities. (5) Cerylic Alcohol, C27H56O.

Yellow Wax is used in Ceratum Cantharidis, Ceratum Resinae, Unguen-tum, and Unguentum Picis Liquidae.

Cera Alba. White Wax

Made by bleaching yellow wax by exposure to moisture, air and light.

Characters

A yellowish-white solid, somewhat translucent in thin layers, having a slightly rancid odor,. and an insipid taste. Sp. gr., 0.965 to 0.975.

Composition

As of yellow wax.

White Wax is used in Ceratum, Ceratum Camphorae, Ceratum Cetacei and Unguentum Aquae Rosae.

Uses of Wax.

Yellow and white wax are only used as bases for many plasters, cerates and ointments.