CARBONAS PLUMBI, vulgo _Cerussa_. E.
CERUSSA, _Sub-acetas Plumbi_. D.
_Cerusse_, or _White Lead_.
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION. The composition of this substance has not until
lately been well understood, and hence the different appellations
bestowed upon it by the different colleges. SOLUBILITY. It is insoluble
in water, but soluble in pure potass. USES. It is only employed
externally, by sprinkling on excoriated parts; the safety of such a
practice however is questionable. OFFICINAL PREP. _Unguent._ _Ceruss._
D. _Plumbi Acetas_ L.E.D. (=K=) ADULTERATIONS. _Chalk_ may be detected
by assaying its solution in cold acetic acid with oxalate of ammonia;
_Carbonate of barytes_, by adding to a portion of the same solution,
sulphate of soda very largely diluted with distilled water; and
_Sulphate of barytes_, or _Sulphate of lead_, by the insolubility of the
white lead in boiling distilled vinegar.