17 Pearl White

: ON COLOURS AND PIGMENTS INDIVIDUALLY.

Is an insoluble basic nitrate of bismuth, a pearly white powder of loose

texture, turning grey on exposure, and blackened by sulphuretted

hydrogen. It is chiefly used as a cosmetic, but is said to injure the

skin, rendering it yellow and leather-like; and it has been known to

cause a spasmodic trembling of the face, ending in paralysis.



Another preparation under this name, and now obsolete we believe as a

pigment, was obtained from mother-of-pearl. It is described as

exquisitely white, and of good body in water, but of little force in oil

or varnish.



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