_Sugar of lead_ is the acetate of this metal. It is sold in the form
either of a white heavy powder, or of aggregated masses of long
four-sided prismatic crystals. It has a sweetish astringent taste, and a
slight acetous odour. It is very soluble.
When in the solid state, it may be known by its solubility in water, and
by the effects of heat. It first undergoes the aqueous fusion, then
abandons a part of its acid empyreumatized, as may be perceived by the
smell, next becomes charred, and finally presents globules of lead
reduced by the charcoal of the acid. The best way of effecting its
reduction on the small scale is to char it, and then direct on the mass
the point of a blowpipe-flame: in an instant globules are developed. It
is not easily reduced in a tube; at least I have never been able to
succeed in that way.
In the fluid state the acetate of lead, as well as all its
soluble salts, may be detected by the following system of
reagents,—hydrosulphuric acid, bichromate of potass, hydriodate of
potass, and metallic zinc,—which are the best of the numerous reagents
yet proposed.