ba'rium

Syn.: baryum, barytium. A metallic element found widely distributed through the vegetable kingdom, usually under the form of the sulphate or carbonate. It is readily decomposed by water. Atomic weight 13 7.4. Symbol Ba. b. carbonate. BaCOs, used as a rat poison, b. chlorid. BaCh, used in the test for sulphuric acid. It has been suggested for use, like digitalis, in veterinary practice. b. hydrate. Syn. b. hydroxid. Ba(OH)2 -faqua, used in the test for carbon dioxid. b. iodid. Has been used like pota ium iodid. b. oxid. BaO, a dehydrating agent, b. peroxid. Ba02, used in the preparation of hydrogen peroxid. b. sulphate. Syn.: barite. BaSOi, the characteristic insoluble b. compound employed to identify b. test solution of nitrate of b. A solution used for chemical testing, consisting of b. nitrate, i part di olved 20 parts of water [U. S. Ph.]. [Gr., barns, heavy, on account of the high specific gravity of barium sulphate.]