| soaps | Sodium or potassium salts of long chain fatty acids. These detergent substances are obtained by boiling natural oils or fats with caustic alkali. Sodium soaps are harder and are used as topical anti-infectives and vehicles in pills and liniments; potassium soaps are soft, used as vehicles for ointments and also as topical antimicrobials. (12 Dec 1998) |
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| soapstone | <chemical> A soft mineral of a soapy feel and a greenish, whitish, or grayish colour, usually occurring in foliated masses. It is hydrous silicate of magnesia. Steatite, or soapstone, is a compact granular variety. Indurated talc, an impure, slaty talc, with a nearly compact texture, and greater hardness than common talc. Synonym: talc slate. Origin: F. Talc; cf. Sp. & It. Talco, LL. Talcus; all fr. Ar. Talq. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| soapsuds enema | An enema of shredded or powdered soap in warm water. (05 Mar 2000) |