•,2 NAT. ORDER. VITACE^. 



The tartar, which i.s thrown off from wines, to the sides and 

 the bottom of the cask, is also an officinal article, and consists of 

 the vegetable alkali, supersaturated with acid. When taken from 

 the cask, it is found mixed with an earthy, oily and coloring mat- 

 ter : that obtained from red wine, is of a deep brown color, and 

 commonly called red, and when it is of a paler color, white tar- 

 tar. It is purified by dissolving it in boiling water, and separating 

 the earthy part, by filtering the boiling solution. On cooling the 

 solution, it deposites irregular crystals, containing the coloring 

 matter, which is separated by boiling the mass with white clay. 

 The tartar, thus purified, is called cream of tartar. If this be ex- 

 posed to a red heat, its acid flies off, and what remains is the vege- 

 table alkali, or salt of tartar. 



Crystals of tartar are in common use as a laxative and mild 

 cathartic ; they are also esteemed for their cooling and diuretic 

 qualities, and therefore have been much employed in dropsical and 

 other cases, requiring an antiphlogistic treatment. Dr. Cullen says 

 that "in large doses, they act like a purgative, in exciting the action 

 of the absorbents in every part of the system, and that more pow- 

 erfullv, than happens from the operation of any entirely neutral 

 salt;" and on this is founded their utility in the cure of dropsy. It 

 must be remarked, however, that they do not readily pass off by 

 the kidneys, unless taken with a large quantity of water; and there- 

 fore when intended as a diuretic, they ought to be given in a liquid 

 form, as Dr. Home has directed. The dose is to be regulated ac- 

 cordinor to circumstances, from a drachm to two ounces. These 

 salts enter several officinal compositions. 



Another article which is worthy of notice here, is vinegar, 

 which has been esteemed of great use in almost all inflammatory 

 and putrid disorders, whether internal or external. It is very effi- 

 cacious in counteracting the effects of vegetable poisons, espe- 

 cially those of the narcotic kind. Vinegar is also much emploved 

 as a menstruum, or for extracting the virtues of other medicines. 



