Niter
or NITRE, an orthorhombic mineral occurring in crusts, silky fibers, acicular crystals, or diffused through certain soils. Composition: Nitric acid, 53.4; potash potash, 46.6 =100, corresponding to the formula, KNO..
In pharmacy it is exhibited in small doses as a refrigerant and diuretic, and in large doses as a vascular sedative in fever, especially in that of acute rheumatism. It has been found useful also in dropsy.
Nitric acid is one of the most important essentials in the manufacture of explosives, and thus became of great importance during the World War. Its manufacture through artificial sources was developed in the various countries. traction of nitrate from the air. See The most important of these was the ex- NITRATE. with phosphorus, boron, silicon, and the metals, e. g., boron nitride, BN.