Obs. The above powders, made into a paste with a little water, are used to silver dial-plates, statuettes, and other articles in copper, previously well cleaned, by friction. The best silver powder for the purpose is that precipitated from its nitric solution by means of a copper plate. When the product of the last formula is used, the articles should be afterwards made red hot, and polished.
Powder of Soap. Syn. Sapo contritus, Pulvis saponis, L. Castile soap, sliced or cut small, dried by exposure to a warm atmosphere, or by a very gentle heat, and then powdered. Used in dispensing; also as a hand, shaving, and tooth powder. As a cosmetic it may be scented at will.
Powder, Spermaceti. Syn. Pulvis cetacei. Spermaceti is pulverised as camphor, by the aid of a few drops of spirit.
Powder of Spermaceti, with Sugar. Syn. Pulvis cetacei cum saccharo. One part of powdered spermaceti with two of sugar. Pectoral.
Powder of Sponge. Syn. Pulvis spongiæ, P. spongiæ ustæ, L. Prep. Let sponge, cut
into small pieces, be beaten so as to free it from sand or stones; then burn it in a covered iron vessel, until it becomes black and friable; finally, reduce it to powder. Deobstruent.—Dose, 1⁄2 to 3 dr.; in glandular indurations and enlargements, &c. It should be of a brownish-black colour; if over burnt its efficacy is destroyed.
Powder of Squills. Syn. Pulvis scillæ, L. Prep. Remove the membranous integuments from the bulb of the squill, cut it into thin slices, and dry it at a heat between 90° and 100° Fahr.; next reduce it to powder, and keep it in well-stoppered bottles.
Powder, Sternuta′tory. See Snuffs (Medicated).
Powder, Stahl’s Resolvent. Syn. Pulvis resolvens stahlii. Prep. Antimonial powder, nitre, prepared crabs’ eyes, in equal parts.
Powder of Starch with Soda. Syn. Pulvis amyli et sodæ; Devergie’s alkaline powder. Prep. Mix 1 part of carbonate of soda in fine powder with 10 of white starch. For external use in some skin diseases.