Page:Willich, A. F. M. - The Domestic Encyclopædia (Vol. 4, 1802).djvu/218

192] TAR trhich is advantngeously empldyed for lining basons, cisterns, or other reservoirs. In the 5th vol. of the Trnnsac- tions of tke Socielu for the Encou- ragement of Arts, &c. for 17^7 > we meet with a communication by Mr. More, stating, that a species c( red earUi has bepu discovered in the parish of St. Elizabeth, Ja- maica, which is an excellent substi- tute for tarras, in all buildings under water. Thus, if one measure of such rarth be mixed with an ecjual por- tion of sand, and a double quan- tity of well- slacked lime, the whole will form a cement, excellently adapted for constructing dams, bridges, or any other edifice in wa- ter ; as it speedily liardens, and ac- quires the durability of stone. TARTAR, a concrete saline mat- ter, which separates from wines, after they have undergone com- plete fermentation : it adheres to the top and sides of the cask, in red or whitish-grey crystals, ac- cording to the colour of the liquor. In this state, it is called crndtt tar- tar ; having a sub-acid taste, and being with ditficuliy soluble in water. By repeated solution, filtration, and crystallization, crude tartar may be depurated or divested of all gross and impure particles, ■when it is called crystals of tartar; and, if these be reduced to powder, cream of tartar. This salt is a mild, cooling and aperient medicine : if half or a whole ounce of it be taken in sub- stance, with treacle, or any other Vehicle, it proves an ettettual pur- gative. Farther, when dissolved in water, it affords, with the ad- dition of sugar, an agreeable aci- dulated drink, which i.s ot great service in ardent fevers } and like- TA9 wise forms a pleasant beverage during the summer. Tartar-emetic, or Tartarized Antimony, is prepared, according to the London College, by boiling in a glass vessel, 3 oz. of crocus of antimony, and 4 oz. of crystal* of tartar, in 2 pints of distilled water, for about 15 minutes; when the solution should be filired through paper, and the strained liquor kept in a tool place, in order to form crystals. — ^I'his preparation is em- ployed as an emetic, for which purpose it is far superior to any other composition of antimony ; as it operates powerfully, without dis- ordering the constitution. When the full effe6t of an emetic is re- quired, the dose varies from 2 to 4 grains ; though it may be more advantageously administered in smaller quantities, as a nauseat- ing and sudorific medicine. — Dr. HuFELAND has observed, that one scruple of starch, combined with a single grain of emetic tartar, operates with greater speed, and certainty, than a full dose of the latter. TASTE, in the animal economy, is one of the five senses, or that taculty which enables all organized beings to discern the various im- pressions produced by different substances on the tongue and the palate : thus wc can distinguish sweet from bitter, and salt from acid. This sense, being peculiarly re- fined in man, is carried on by means of numerous nerves con- neded with the mouth. In healthy persons, the taste is very acute > but, if the papillcv, or nervous warts, be weakened, by excess in eating hot and higlily - seasoned soups, or other food j or by drink- ing spirituous liquors j by iodul- gencc