An empyreumatic oleo-resin obtained by the destructive distillation of
the wood of various species of pines, especially that of Pinus
palustris.
HABITAT.--United States.
PROPERTIES.--Thick, viscid, semi-fluid, blackish-brown; heavier than
water, transparent, in thin layers, becoming granular and opaque with
age; odor empyreumatic terebinthinated; taste sharp empyreumatic. Tar is
slightly soluble in water; soluble in alcohol, fixed or volatile oils
and solutions of potassium or sodium hydrate.
CONSTITUENTS.--Oil of turpentine; methylic alcohol; creosote; guaiacol;
phenol; pyrocatechin; toluol; xylol; acetic acid; acetone; resins.
DOSE.--Horses and cattle, ¹⁄₂ to 1 oz.; sheep and pigs, 1 to 2 dr.;
dogs, ¹⁄₄ to 1 dr. Oil of tar should be diluted with alcohol, glycerine,
syrup or mucilage.