FINE. 221 



ing point is 312° Fahrenheit. It dissolves completely in six 

 parts of sulphuric ether; but although it is readily dissolved in 

 hot alcohol, it again separates in drops as the spirit cools. In 

 all other respects it agrees with the volatile oils. A stream of 

 chlorine passed through it converts it into a substance re- 

 sembling camphor." 



" Tar has a strong peculiar odour ; a resinous sub-acid 

 bitterish taste ; and a thick coarse consistence with a deep brown 

 colour approaching to blackness, derived from the charring of 

 the wood during its formation. It consists principally of em- 

 pyreumatic oil, resin, and acetic acid ; is partially soluble in 

 water, and is inspissated by boiling, into pitch. 



" Yellow and white Resin, are varieties of the same substance. 

 Their taste is slightly acrid and bitterish. The mass of resin is 

 semipellucid, brittle, and vitreous, with a specific gravity of 

 1.0742. It is insoluble in water, but entirely soluble in alcohol, 

 ether,, the fixed oils, and the alkalies. The acid also dissolves 

 resin and converts it into artificial tannin."* 



Medicinal Properties and Uses. — It is evident from the 

 writings of the ancients")" that they were acquainted with the 

 medicinal uses of turpentines, and in addition to the diseases in 

 which they are now employed, they prescribed them in lethargy, 

 hypochondriasis, coughs, and various pulmonary affections. 

 The turpentines appear to derive their virtues from the es- 

 sential oil they contain, which is stimulant, cathartic, diuretic, 

 anthelmintic, and externally rubefacient. The essential oil in 

 large doses produces nausea, unpleasant eructations, slight 

 vertigo, or intoxication, and frequently catharsis; in small 

 doses it chiefly acts upon the kidneys ; it is remarkable for 

 the violet odour it imparts to the urine, which phenome- 

 non is produced even by remaining for a short time in an 

 apartment which has been recently varnished with the spirit. 

 In consequence of this specific action over the urinary 

 organs, it is frequently given in gleet, in doses of from 

 ten to thirty drops ; also in leucorrhcea, and calculous af- 

 fections, but in the latter from its excitant properties it 

 requires to be used with caution. It is likewise useful in 



* Thomson's Dispensatory, 1836, p. 507. 



+ See Dioscor. Mat. Med. lib. i. cap. 91. Aretaeus passim. Plin. Hist. 

 c xxiv. sec. 6. Alpinus, de Med. Egypt, lib. iv. 



