EAR WAX. See p. 296.

CERUSE, or CERUS, WHITE LEAD, a sort of calx of lead, made by exposing plates of that metal to the vapour of vinegar.

The best way of preparing it is the following: A glass-cucurbit is to be cut off in such a manner as to leave it a very long mouth; an alembic head of glass is to be fitted to this; some vinegar is to be put into the body, and a number of thin plates of lead are to be placed in the head in such a manner that they may stand somewhat erect: when the head is fitted on, the body is to be set in a gentle sand-heat for twelve hours; then saluting the vessels, the receiver, which had been fitted to the nose of the head, will contain a sweet and styptic liquor, nauseous and turbid, called the vinegar of lead, or the solution of lead; and the plates of lead, taken out of the head, will be found covered with a white dusty matter; this is cerus; and if the operation be repeated, the whole lead will be in fine reduced to this state of cerus.