Page 157 - The Wellington photographic handbook

the tube is broken in the bottle which is to contain the solution
the fragments of glass may be allowed to remain ; they will do no
harm. As the fifteen drams of solution contain fifteen grains of
chloride, each dram of the solution contains a grain, and in any
of the preceding formulae where one grain or two grains of gold
chloride are prescribed, one dram or two drams of this solution
may be used instead. Thus prepared, gold chloride solution keeps
indefinitely. Impurities in the water may spoil it, which is indicated
by a black sediment settling down at the bottom of the bottle.
It is for this reason that the use of distilled water is recommended.
Hydrokinone (sometimes called quinol).—This is sold in
tiny needles or crystals of a greyish white colour, and keeps in the
solid form very well. It is not likely to be impure.
Hypo (sodium hyposulphite, hyposulphite of soda, sodium
thiosulphite).—This should be in the form of clear transparent
crystals or a coarse white powder, and free from smell. It keeps
indefinitely both in solid form and in solution, and readily dissolves
in hot or cold water. As the dissolving of hypo cools the solution
very greatly, warm water should be used, or the solution prepared
some time before it is required, in order that it may regain a normal
temperature. If this is not done, fixing may be very sluggish and
blisters may be caused.
Iodine.—Blue black lustrous scales describes the appearance
of iodine. It should be kept in a stoppered bottle. It stains
what it touches brown, but the stain can be removed with a little
sodium sulphite solution.
Lead Acetate (also known as acetate of lead, or sugar of
lead).—This is generally sold in a coarse white powder. It is very
poisonous. It is soluble in water, but the solution is usually milky
in appearance. Is not likely to be impure.
Metol (monomethyl paramidophenol sulphate) is a white
powder, which is freely soluble in water. If it is bought in the
makers' bottles it is not likely to be other than in good condition.
It keeps in the solid form very well, and in solution with sodium
sulphite, etc., for as long a time as any developer.
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