BARB A DOES TAR

Petroleum. A bituminous liquid of the consistence of tar: it oozes from the soil along with water, from which it is skimmed off and preserved in earthen jars. By distillation it yields naphtha. It is used in medicine as an internal remedy in certain chronic pulmonary afifections, in obstinate diseases of the skin, and against tape-worm. As an external agent it is sometimes applied to ill-conditioned ulcers, and to chilblains. These stimulating bituminous oils have been recommended as effectual in cholera: the dose is from 30 drops upwards. [s. 1370]