The Collaborative International Dictionary
sal microcosmicum
Microcosmic \Mi`cro*cos"mic\, Microcosmical \Mi`cro*cos"mic*al\, a. [Cf. F. microcosmique.] Of or pertaining to the microcosm.
Microcosmic salt (Chem.), a white crystalline substance obtained by mixing solutions of sodium phosphate and ammonium phosphate, and also called hydric-sodic-ammonic-phosphate. It is a powerful flux, and is used as a substitute for borax as a blowpipe reagent in testing for the metallic oxides. Originally obtained by the alchemists from human urine, and called sal microcosmicum.