Skip to content

Please be aware that some material may contain words, descriptions or illustrations which will not reflect current scientific understanding and may be considered in today's context inaccurate, unethical, offensive or distressing.

The Royal Society: Science in the Making

Paper, an account of how to make ceruse by Philip Vernatti

Reference number: CLP/9i/4

Date: c.1677

Description

Describes the process of manufacturing ceruse or ceruss [white lead], beginning with casting lead into thin plates to be placed in pots with vinegar and buried in a heap of horse dung for three weeks to make the conversion. Provides details about the dangers to the workers associated with producing ceruse (eg stomach pains, dizziness, blindness).

Published in ''Philosophical Transactions' as, 'A relation of the making of Ceruss'

Subject: Chemistry / Metallurgy / Industry

Reference number
CLP/9i/4
Earliest possible date
c.1677
Physical description
Ink on paper
Page extent
3 pages
Format
Manuscript

Use this record

IIIF manifest

View​ IIIF ​ manifest Opens in new tab

Open in Mirador viewer Opens in new tab

Export this record

Download PDF Opens in new tab

Citation

Paper, an account of how to make ceruse by Philip Vernatti, c.1677, CLP/9i/4, The Royal Society Archives, London, https://makingscience.royalsociety.org/items/clp_9i_4/paper-an-account-of-how-to-make-ceruse-by-philip-vernatti, accessed on 12 October 2024

Link to this record

https://makingscience.royalsociety.org/items/clp_9i_4/paper-an-account-of-how-to-make-ceruse-by-philip-vernatti

Embed this record

<iframe src="https://makingscience.royalsociety.org/embed/items/clp_9i_4/paper-an-account-of-how-to-make-ceruse-by-philip-vernatti" title="Paper, an account of how to make ceruse by Philip Vernatti" allow="fullscreen" frameborder="0" width="100%" height="500px"></iframe>

Related Publications

Related Records

Hierarchy

This item is part of:

Explore the collection

  • Classified Papers

    Dates: 1592-1741

    The 'Classified Papers' of the Royal Society are papers from British and international natural philosophers and scholars categorised according to subject areas.

    View collection