PHOSPHORIC POISONS. 
267 
Third scale. — Half a pound of lard or dripping, quarter 
of an ounce of phosphorus^ half a pint of spirits of wine or 
whisky. 
Fourth scale. — Three quarters of a pound of lard or drip- 
ping, three drachms of phosphorus, three gills of spirits of 
wine or whisky. 
Fifth scale. — One pound of lard or dripping, half an 
ounce of phosphorus, one pint of spirits of wine or whisky. 
For making phosphorus paste, I shall in each scale give 
the exact quantity of water necessary ; therefore, before you 
begin, measure out the water ; and from that, put only the 
sixth part to the starch, to soften it ; then put the other five 
parts on the fire to boil. In the meantime mix up the 
starch. But be sure to put them into a round-bottomed 
vessel. A flat-bottomed one will not do, because the phos- 
phorus will get round the edges ; and by its hardening there 
it will render the paste useless. Now, when the water 
boils, pour it into the starch, stirring all the while ; and the 
instant it becomes a jelly, put in the phosphorus, and cover 
•up the vessel for a minute or two, to let the phosphorus 
melt ; next beat it up well till it is cold, and then it is 
ready for use ; but to preserve it you must make it air- 
tight. Spread it on thin bread, like butter, and do not 
forget the scenting oils. 
First scale. — One ounce of starch, one gill of water, one 
drachm of phosphorus. 
Second scale. — Two ounces of starch, half a pint of water, 
quarter of an ounce of phosphorus. 
Third scale. — Quarter of a pound of starch, one pint of 
water, half an ounce of phosphorus. 
Fourth scale. — Half a pound of starch, two pints of water, 
one ounce of phosphorus. 
Fifth scale. — Twelve ounces of starch, three pints of 
water, one ounce and a half of phosphorus. 
Sixth scale. — One pound of starch, four pints of water, 
two ounces of phosphorus. 
I shall here notice the best kind of bottles for phosphoric 
compounds, and also give some general cautions for using 
them. In the first place, never introduce more phosphorus 
than the proper proportion ; for if you do, your object will 
most certainly be defeated, because the vermin will not 
