Important: Safety Warning
This page contains a formula or preparation using substances now known to be dangerously toxic, such as arsenic, mercury, lead, or cyanide compounds. Exposure to these substances can cause severe poisoning, permanent injury, or death.
This information has been left in for historical purposes but should not be acted upon.
Home › Acids › Dilute Prussic Acid
Dilute Prussic Acid
Mix 41 grains muriatic acid with 1 fluid ounce distilled water, add 50+ grains cyanide of silver, and shake together in a well stopped phial.
When the precipitate has subsided, pour off the clear dilute acid and keep for use. (See No. 3947.) (U. S. Ph.) 3950. Tests for the Presence of Prussic Acid. It is distinguished by a strong odor of bitter almonds. exhaling at a very gentle heat, the latter requiring a subliming temperature of about 300° Fahr. After adding ammonia in slight excess to the prussic acid, if we evaporate to dryness at a heat of 212°, we may infer from the residuary sal-ammoniac the quantity of muriatic acid present. Every grain of salammoniac corresponds to .6822 grains of muriatic acid.