BORATES. 345 



Persia, where it is found in large quantities, being dug from lakes 

 and springs, in which it is spontaneously deposited. Tt is in crusts 

 or amorphous masses, and sometimes crystalized. The colours are 

 white, greenish-white, and brownish-grey. The lustre internally 

 is shining and resinous, it is semi-transparent and refracts doubly. 

 It has a styptic alkaline taste, and is soluble in about 20 parts of 

 water at 60°. It is soft and easily frangible. Its constituent 

 parts are, Boracic acid 34, soda 14, 50, water 47. Bergman. — In 

 medical practice, Borax, though once highly extolled as an emme- 

 nagogue and diuretic, is not now given internally. It is principally 

 employed in the form of solution, in water, and combined with 

 honey and tincture of myrrh as a useful detergent application in 

 aphthous ulcerations of the mouth and tongue. 



FINIS 



