Uses. It has been employed to form the scales of mathematical and astronomical instruments, and is used in dentistry. Its alloy with silver is a very valuable white metal. It is also used for making the smaller divisions of grain and gramme weights. Palladium is not tarnished by sulphuretted hydrogen. An alloy of 1 part of palladium and 100 parts of steel is well adapted for cutting instruments which require to be perfectly smooth on the edge.
PALMIT′IC ACID. HC16H31O2. Prepared from palmitin (see next article), by saponification, as stearic acid is prepared from stearin. It forms pearly scales, and melts at 140° Fahr., like margaric acid, which it closely resembles.
PAL′MITIN. Syn. Tripalmitin. C3H5 (C16H31O2)3. The solid portion of palm oil, purified by crystallisation from hot ether. White; soluble in ether and slightly so in hot alcohol; melts at 118° Fahr.; by saponification it is converted into palmitic acid. (See above.)
PALPITA′TION. Syn. Palpus, Palpitatio cordis, L. A violent and irregular beating or action of the heart, either temporary or occasional. When it does not arise from sudden or violent agitation or distress of mind, it may be regarded as a symptom of a disturbance of the nervous functions by disease, in which case attention should be directed to the removal of the primary affection.
PAL′SY. See Paralysis.
PANACE′A. A term formerly applied to chose remedies which were supposed to be capable of curing all diseases, and still applied to some quack medicines.
PANA′DA. See Bread jelly (under Jelly).
PAN′ARY FERMENTA′TION. The vinous fermentation as developed in the dough of bread.
PAN′CAKES. These are essentially fried batter, variously enriched and flavoured, according to the taste of the cook. When they contain fruit, fish, meat, or poultry, or are
highly seasoned or ornamented, they are commonly called FRITTERS.