b2 
NAT. ORDER. VITACE^. 
The tartar, which is 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 fliies 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 drojDsical and 
other cases, requiring an antiphlogistic treatment. Di*. 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- 
erfully, than happens from the operation of any entirely neutral 
salt ;" and on this is founded their utility in the cure of dropsy. It 
rtiust 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- 
cording to circumstances, from a di'achm 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 employed 
as a menstruum, or for extracting the virtues of other medicines. 
