4. Silver lustre. The ammonio-chloride
of platinum is reduced to an impalpable powder, ground up to the requisite consistence with a little spirit of tar, and at once applied with a brush.
The above lustres are applied, over an easily fusible glaze, to the outer surfaces only of the vessels, after which adhesion is produced by exposing the pieces to a slight degree of heat in the muffle. To give them their full beauty they must be rubbed with cotton, wool, or chamois leather, after the firing. See Alumina, Clay, Enamels, Gilding, Glazes, Kaolin, &c.
POT′TING. A term commonly applied to the operation or practice of preserving animal substances in a state fit for immediate use, in small pots or jars. The method of proceeding is, first, to mince the substance (previously well dressed, and carefully deprived of bones, sinews, skin, &c.), and, next, to pound it in a clean polished marble or iron mortar, along with a little butter and some cayenne pepper, or other suitable spice or sauce, until it forms a perfectly smooth paste; this is pressed into the pots, so as to about 2-3rds fill them, and clarified melted butter is then poured in to the depth of about 1-8th of an inch; the pots are, lastly, closely covered over, and kept in a cool situation. In this state their contents may be preserved for a year, or longer. Potted beef, ham, veal, poultry, game, anchovies, bloaters, salmon, &c., are commonly sold in the shops. They are all intended for relishes, and are spread upon bread in the same manner as butter.
POUDRE KOUSIQUE. [Fr.] A French nostrum, consisting of nitre and sulphur, of each 50 parts; charcoal and antimony, of each 1 part. It is divided into 1⁄2-dr. doses, of which three are put into each packet. It is given to dogs in a ball of butter, to prevent the disorders to which they are liable.
POUDRE METALLIQUE. [Fr.] See Tooth cements.
POUDRE SUBTILE. [Fr.] See Depilatory.
POUDRETTE. [Fr.] Dried night-soil. The manure sold under this name is a compound of night-soil with clay, charcoal, or gypsum, made into balls or cakes. Its extensive use in Belgium, France, the United States of America, and, more particularly, in China, where it was first employed, has shown it to be the most fertilising and generally applicable of all the numerous substances used as manure. Unfortunately, the prejudices of Englishmen lead them to poison the air of their cities and towns, and the waters of their rivers, with a substance which, if rightly applied, would crown their fields with golden harvests, and drive pauperism from the land.
Tardieu, speaking of the men engaged in making poudrette, says:—“The action of the exhalations from the manure manufacturers is certainly not injurious. The workmen show actually no trace of sickness or disease which
can be referred to the influence of these exhalations.”