Description and references
A fatty oil from the winter fat of the skunk
[Mephitis mephitis Schreb. (North America) or Putorius
putorius L. (Europe and Asia), Fam. Mustelidae]:
Weil, Am. Drug. 59, 8 (1912), C.A. 6, 1655 (1912); Lobachev, Sov. Med. 7, no. 10, 21 (1943), C.A. 39, 4193 (1945); Stevens, J.
Am. Chem. Soc. 67, 407 (1945).
Properties
Neutral or faintly acid oil, of only slightly
disagreeable odor. Solidifies around 21°. On standing, a deposit
of stearic acid may separate which redissolves on heating. At 75°
a pungent odor is evolved. d1515 0.931; iodine no. 83.48 (Hanus).
Sapon no. 89.32 (Weil); 201 (Lobachev). Insol fatty acids mp 30°; their Hehner
no. 93.45. The oil may be used directly or as an emulsion; the emulsion
should be protected from the bacterial deterioration by an added antiseptic.Status
This monograph has been retired and is no longer subject
to revision or update.