“It cures Weak Sight, Inflamed Eyes, and all disorders of the Eyelids from whatever cause arising.... Singleton’s Eye Ointment requires great skill in making, and is composed of costly ingredients. One pot will cure you.... The Ointment also cures Piles and Scorbutic Eruptions.” A book dealing with the ointment was also supplied, in which it is stated that “Singleton’s Eye Ointment will cure all affections of the eye.” Analysis showed the principal ingredient to be red mercuric oxide, of which 7·4 per cent. was present. The fatty basis contained about 4 per cent. of beeswax, and the remainder was a practically neutral and colourless substance which agreed in properties and analytical figures with a mixture of lard, Japan wax, and purified cocoanut oil. It is, of course, impossible to determine with certainty the composition of a mixture of fats, unless a large quantity is available for analysis; but the exact nature of the fatty basis is immaterial, and no indication was obtained of any other medicinal ingredient. The assertion that such an ointment “requires great skill in making” is absurd, and as to the costliness of the ingredients, the 55 grains in the pot are estimated to be worth one-ninth of a penny. BOSTOCK’S EYE OINTMENT. This ointment, stated to be manufactured by a limited company with an address in London, is sold in a pot containing half an ounce, and costing 1s. 1½d. It is described on the label as “An invaluable remedy for every Disease to which the Eye is subject.” In a circular wrapped round the pot it is called “Bostock’s Botanic Eye Ointment,” which is strongly recommended as a valuable Restorative and Preserver of the Sight, removing Inflammation, Bloodshots, Scorbutic Humours, Shooting Pains, Dimness, Swelling in the Eyelids, and numerous other diseases to which the Eye is subject; it also preserves the Sight against the injuries arising from extreme Heat and Cold. Analysis showed the presence of small quantities of ammoniated mercury (commonly known as white precipitate) and an insoluble compound of lead which appeared to be the oxide; a little glycerine was present, and a bitter, light-coloured substance of the nature of an extract; this contained no alkaloid, and gave no characteristic reactions indicating the drug or plant from which it was derived; a trace of a vegetable powder was also found, the quantity being so very small that it was probably only an accidental contamination of the extract; when examined microscopically it appeared to consist chiefly of the tissue of a seed. The basis of the ointment contained soft paraffin and spermaceti, and a third constituent agreeing in its characters with lard. Determination of the amounts of the respective ingredients indicated the following approximate formula: