a transparent sort of resin, flowing either naturally or by incision from several unctuous and resinous trees, as the terebinthus, larch, pine, fir, &c.

The turpentine of Chio or Scio, which is the only genuine kind, and that which gives the denomination to all the rest, is a whitish resin, bordering a little on green, very clear, and a little odoriferous; drawn by incision from a tree called terebinthus, very common in that island, as also in Cyprus, and some parts of France and Spain.

The uses of turpentine in medicine are innumerable. It is a great vulnerary, and very detergent, and as such is prescribed in abscesses, ulcerations, &c. It promotes expectoration, and as such is prescribed in diseases of the lungs and breast; but it is most famous for clearing the urinary passages, and as such prescribed in obstructions of the reins, in gonorrhoeas, &c.

Oil of Turpentine. There are two kinds of oil drawn from turpentine, by distillation; the first white, the second red, both esteemed as balsams proper for the cure of wounds, chilblains, &c. But they are so little used among us, that it is not easy to procure either of them.

What is commonly sold under the name of oil of turpentine, or etherial oil, is only a distillation of the resinous juice of the tree, fresh as it is gathered. It is used with success in the cure of green wounds, as also by the painters, farriers, &c. To be good, it must be clear and pellucid as water, of a strong penetrating smell, and very inflammable.