microcosmic salt
noun [mass noun] Chemistry
A white crystalline salt obtained from human urine.
- Hydrated sodium ammonium hydrogen phosphate; chemical formula: HNaNH4PO4.4H2O.
- The fluorine in this mineral was not certainly recognized by the blowpipe test, using a flux of microcosmic salt, the well-known etching-power of phosphoric acid itself standing in the way of this.
- A test similar to the borax bead test is often made using microcosmic salt.
Origin
Late 18th century: translating Latin sal microcosmicus.