532 THE IMPROVED ART OF FARRIER?. 



MuRiATED Antimony. 



Is prepared by taking of the crocus of antimony, 

 powdered, and vitriolic acid, of each one pound ; dry 

 sea-salt, two pounds. Pour the vitriolic acid into a 

 retort, adding, by degrees, the sea-salt and the crocus 

 of antimony, previously mixed ; then distil in a sand- 

 bath. Let the distilled matter be exposed to the air 

 for several days, and then let the fluid part be poured 

 off from the dregs. 



Butter of Antimony. 



Take crude, one part; corrosive sublimate, two 

 parts. Grind them first separately, then thoroughly 

 mix them together, taking the utmost care to avoid 

 the vapours. Put the mixture into a coated glass re- 

 tort, (having a short wide neck), so as to fill one 

 half of it ; the retort being placed in a sand-furnace, 

 and a receiver adapted to it ; give first, a gentle heat, 

 that only dewy vapours may arise ; the fire being then 

 increased, an oily liquor will ascend and condense in 

 the neck of the retort, appearing like ice, which is to 

 be melted down by a live goal cautiously applied. This 

 oily matter is to be rectified in a glass retort into a 

 pellucid liquor. 



The process here directed by the College of Edin- 

 burgh is extremely dangerous, insomuch, that even the 

 life of the operator, though tolerably versed in com- 

 mon pharmacy, may be endangered for want of due 

 care. Boerhave relates a case of a man who was suf- 

 focated for want of due care to prevent the bursting 

 of the retort. The fumes which arise, even on mixing 



