is methylcellulose in particular sodium carboxymethyl cellulose may be utilized because of its ability to solubilize readily applicants have used medium viscosity sodium carboxymethyl cellulose purchased from city chemical new york n y to advantage hydrophilic polymers such as ethyl cellulose and other alkyl derivatives of these cellulose may also be used as well as naturally occurring gums acacia any one of the alginates tragacanth agar or guar gum or a synthetic hydrophilic polymer such as polyvinylpyrrolidone i e pvp k 30 u00ae or pvp k 90 u00ae gaf corp or one of the vinyl polymers i e carbopol 930 u00ae or carbopol 934 u00ae b f goodrich chemical co other thickening agents which may be utilized to advantage include the microfine clays in particular veegum f u00ae a microfine grade of colloidal magnesium aluminum silicate r t vanderbilt company norwich ct has been utilized but there are other grades of this clay available which may also be used other agents which may be effectively used include bentonite kaolin and kilselguhr preservatives are used to help prevent the growth of microorganisms in the lubricating composition or the degradation of the composition by microorganisms two preservatives which have been used to advantage both by themselves or in combination are methyl paraben and propyl paraben flavoring agents and sweeteners improve the taste of the lubricating composition the number of flavor extracts and oils which may be used is limited only by the preferences of the athletes who.