Platinum

(plat' -in-um). Pt. 197; quantivalence II, IV; sp. gr. 21.5. A metal of silver-white luster, only soluble in nitro-hydrochloric acid. It is employed in making ve els for chemic and pharmaceutic use. In the form of wire, affixed to a gla rod, it is used as the platinum nee die or Oese in bacteriologic work. Platinum salts are poisonous. See Elements, Table of. P., Black, a very finely divided metallic platinum, which has a great capacity for absorbing hydrogen and for condensing oxygen upon its surface. It is used for testing amylic alcohol by oxidizing it into valerianic acid.