ARCA′NUM

[L.] Syn. Arcane , Fr.; Geheimnis , Ger. A secret. In alchemy , a term applied to various preparations without any precise meaning. “Arcanum is a thing secret, incorporeal, and immortal, which can only be known to man by experience; for it is the virtue of each thing, which operates a you sand times more than the thing itself.” (Ruland) In ancient medicine and pharmacy ; a nostrum. The word is still occasionally used in the plural ( ARCA′NA , secrets, mysteries), in the titles of books; as, ‘Arcana of Chemistry,’ a book profe ing to contain a full exposition of the mysteries of that art. Among the old chemists, ARCANUM AL′BUM was ‘pulvis Viennensis alb us virgineus’ (see Powders ); A. BEC′CHICUM , a sweetened aqueous solution of liver of sulphur; A. CORALLI′NUM , red oxide of mercury that had been digested in a solution of potash, washed with water, and then had spirit of wine burnt on it (once a favourite mercurial and escharotic); A. DUPLICA′TUM , sulphate of potash; A. D. CATHOL′ICUM , roots of colchicum and plantain (worn as an amulet against fevers and pestilential diseases); A. LUDEMAN′NI , oxide of zinc; A. TAR′TARI , acetate of pota a; A. VI′TÆ , elixir vitæ; .