SPERMACETI; or CETACEUM, a fatty material, obtained from the Physeter macrocephalus, (Catodons macrocephalus of Beale) [CETACEA, in NAT. HIST. DIV.], a species of whale, generally met with in the South Seas, but also on the coast of Greenland, and occasionally stranded on the coasts of Britain. When purified it is called cetinc.
It is also soluble in ether, and volatile and fixed oils. It has a white, pearly, or silky appearance, considerable tenacity, but may be broken into mica-like scales, with a smooth or fatty feel, slight fish-like odour, and mild mawkish taste. Its specific gravity is .943 ; it melts at 112°, and when a lighted body is applied to it, it burns with a clear flame.
Sulphuric is the only acid which dissolves it. It is only partially dissolved by the fixed alkalies, and is with, saponifiable. Hot caustic ammonia forms with it an emulsion, which is not decomposed on cooling.
Long exposure to the air renders it rancid ; it may be again purified by washing in a warm ley of potass. It should be protected from air
and light.
A hundred parts of spermaceti consist of sixty parts of margaric and oleic acids, forty parts of ethal, and parts of a yellow extraetiform substance. The ultimate composition of cetine seems to be—carbon, 81; hydrogen, 12 ; oxygen, 5.
Spermaceti possesses the properties common to fatty matters. It is bland and demulcent, with considerable nutritive qualities, when taken internally. It was formerly much used in colds and coughs, united with mucilage or syrup, to shield the throat from the irritation of the air, also in dysentery. Triturated with sugar-candy, and having warm milk added to it, it is a mild nutrient article, fit for children or old persons. It is however now chiefly employed externally as an ingre dient in ointments and cerates. It is also largely used to form candles, and to burn in lamps.