428 ^Treatise on 
boiling Water, and afterwards fetting it in a cool 
Place to cryftallize. It is then called Crystals or 
Cream of Tartar; which Names were formerly af- 
figned to two different Preparations, but are now 
indifcriminately given to this one. 
Tartar is compounded of an acid Salt, an Oil, 
and an Earth ; yet fo that the Acid predominates. 
It is very difficultly foluble except in boiling hot 
Water, on Account of the oily Parts in which the 
Saline are involved. The acid Salt, by the Means 
of Fire or Fermentation, is converted into an alka-r 
line Salt, either fixt or volatile. 
Both Tartar and its Cryftals allay the Efferve- 
fcence and Heat of the Bile, abate Third: in ardent 
Fevers, reftore the Appetite, attenuate, refolveand 
gently evacuate thick vitiated Humours, and open 
Obftrudtions of the Bowels : Wherefore they are 
commended againft Obftrudtions of the Liver, 
Spleen and Mefentery, in cachedtick and hypochon- 
driack Affedtions. They are fuccefsfully mixed as 
Stimuli with the weaker laxitive Medicines. Ange- 
lus Sola , in his Tartarologia , tells us, that he him- 
felf being miferably tormented with the Colick, 
and having tried many Remedies to no Purpofe, he 
took jvj. of Tartar in Powder, by which he was 
purged and eafed of his Pains and at length, after 
repeating the fame a few Times, was perfectly 
cured. 
Cream of Tartar is given from jfs. to ^ij. to 
open only, or to ferve as a Stimulus to other Medi- 
cines ; but if given as a Purge by itfelf, the Dofe is 
from §fs. to 5vj. or §j. It is taken in the Form of 
an Eledtuary, Bolus, or Pills. If prefcribed in 
Broths or Potions, it ought to be put into them 
when boiling, otherwife it will not diffolve. 
It is advantageoufly joined with Chalybeates, af- 
fifting them very much in refolving Obftrudtions ; 
and 
