PERFU′′MERY. Perfumes in general; also the art of perfuming them. In its commercial application, this word embraces not merely perfumes, but also cosmetics, and other articles of a closely allied character employed at the toilet, the manufacture and sale of which constitute the trade of the modern perfumer. Formulæ for the preparation of all the more valuable perfumes, as well as of others met with in trade, both simple and compound, will be found under the heads Cosmetics, Depilatory, Essence, Hair dyes, Oils, Pastes, Pastils, Pomade, Spirit, Waters, &c., to which we refer the reader.
PERFUMES, ACE′TIC. See Vinegar.
Perfumes, Ammo′′niated. These may be prepared by simply adding a sufficient quantity of ammonia to the liquid perfumes. When the articles are to be distilled, a cheaper plan is to add about 5 dr. of sal ammoniac and 8 dr. of carbonate of potassa to each pint of the article just before distillation. Ammoniated Cologne water is now a fashionable substance for spirit of sal volatile.
PERIODIC ACID. Syn. Hydric periodate. (HIO4.) 1. By passing a current of chlorine gas through a solution of sodic iodate, containing caustic soda, in the proportion of 3 atoms of the latter to one atom of sodic iodate. The hydrated basic sodic periodate, which crystallises out, is dissolved in diluted nitric acid, and precipitated by the addition of argentic nitrate; a normal argentic periodate crystallises as the liquid cools, and this salt being treated with water, is decomposed into a basic argentic periodate, which is insoluble, and periodic acid, which is dissolved. By evaporating the solution, the periodic acid may be obtained in deliquescent, oblique,
rhombic prisms, which are somewhat soluble in alcohol and in ether.
2. From perchloric acid by the action of iodine. See Iodine.
PERISTAL′TIC PERSUA′DERS. See Pills (Kitchener’s).
PER′MANENT WHITE. See Barium (Sulphate) and White pigments.
PERNAMBU′CO WOOD. Syn. Peach wood. The wood of Cæsalpinia echinata. It constitutes the paler variety of Brazil wood used by the dyers.
PER′RY. Syn. Pyraceum, L. A fermented liquor prepared from pears in the same way as cider is from apples. The red rough-tasted sorts are principally used for this purpose. The best perry contains about 9% of absolute alcohol; ordinary perry from 5 to 7%.