Bismuthous Oxide

Bi 2 O 3 . Syn. Teroxide of bismuth , Protoxide of bismuth . From either the neutral or the basic nitrate, by exposure, in a crucible, to gentle ignition. Pure. A straw-yellow powder, of rather difficult solubility. Hy′drated :—By gradually dropping an acid solution of bismuthous nitrate into a concentrated solution of pota ium hydrate perfectly free from carbonic acid, and washing and drying the resulting precipitate. Pure. A rich-looking white powder. Prop., . Fuses at a high temperature, and then acts as a powerful flux on siliceous matter without itself imparting colour, a property of which the enameller and gilder has long availed himself. Like the basic nitrate, it has been used as an antispasmodic and as a cosmetic. Sp. gr. 8·211 to 8·355.