Isocholesterin

In a former communication, one of us has shown that, along with free cholesterin, compound ethers of cholesterin and of isocholesterin are found in the grease of wool.

In order to separate from wool grease, which consists essentially of a mixture of ethereal compounds of the cholesterins and isocholesterins with a variety of organic acids, those compounds of higher melting point and of wax-like consistency, the wool grease is dissolved in ordinary fusel oil, and the solution cooled below the melting point of the grease.

The skin is the largest organ of the human body. Some idea of the extent of its activity may be gained from the fact that from two to three million sweat glands secrete an average of two pounds of perspiration in twenty-four hours and that a similar number of sebaceous glands are engaged in the manufacture of an unestimated amount of sebum—a natural fat composed of cholesterin and isocholesterin and thus essentially akin to lanolin and the absorption bases.