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116
SECTION VIII.
ANALYSIS OF THE TEETH, &C.*
Analysis of the Enamel.
One hundred grains of the enamel of human teeth, (care-
fully rasped,) were placed in 600 grains of nitric acid of the
specific gravity of 1.12. Slight effervescence ensued, and
after twelve hours 200 grains more of the acid were added.
Allowing for the loss by evaporation in a corresponding ves-
sel, after thirty-six hours it was found to have lost four grains
and an half. It was then diluted with four ounces of distilled
water precipitated by pure ammonia, and then filtered.
The precipitate obtained being dried in a water bath, at
212°, weighed 102 grains. It was then ignited, after which
it was found to weigh 78 grains. The filtered solution was
then precipitated by carbonate of ammonia in solution and
filtered.
The separated precipitate being dried in a heat of 212®
weighed six grains. Enamel then consists of,
Phosphate of lime, - - - - 78
Carbonate of lime, • 6
84
Water of composition and loss, 16
100
A loss of 16 grains here takes place which is easily ac-
counted for, from the impossibility of directly ascertaining
By Win. H. Pepys, jun. Fox, First Part, pages 96 to 100.
