To 200 parts of simple syrup, in a strong flask, add 50 parts of phosphorus and 10 parts of talc powder; place the container in a suitable vessel and surround it with water heated to 120° to 130° F., and let it stand until the phosphorus is melted. Now, cork the flask well, tie down the cork, and agitate until the mixture is completely cold. As a measure of precaution, the flask should be wrapped with a cloth.
To make the poison take 50 parts of rye flour and mix with it 10 parts of powdered sugar. To the mixture add about 40 parts of water and from 30 to 40 parts of the phosphorated syrup, and mix the mass thoroughly.
While it is best to make the phosphorated syrup fresh every time that it is required, a stable syrup can be made as follows:
Heat together very carefully in a water bath 5 parts of phosphorus, 3 parts of sublimed sulphur, and 30 parts of water, until the phosphorus is completely melted and taken up; then add 30 parts of wheat flour and 6 parts of ground mustard seed, and work up, with the addition of warm water from time to time, if necessary, into a stiff paste, finally adding and working in from 1 to 2 parts of oil of anise.
Borax in powder, it may be noticed, is also useful as a preservative of phosphorated paste or the electuary.
Mühsam gives the following formula for an electuary of phosphorus for this purpose:
| I.— | Phosphorus, granulated | 1 part |
|---|---|---|
| Rye flour | 30 parts | |
| Simple syrup | 10 parts | |
| Mustard seed, powdered | 1 part | |
| Sublimed sulphur | 1 part | |
| Water | 10 parts |
Proceed as indicated above.
Hager’s formula for “Phosphorus globules” is as follows:
| II.— | Phosphorus, amorphous | 10 parts |
|---|---|---|
| Glycerine | 20 parts | |
| Linseed, powdered | 100 parts | |
| Meat extract | 15 parts | |
| Quark, recently coagulated, quantity sufficient. | ||