to be eaten by convalescents, or those whose digestion is impaired.
TURBITH, or Turpeth, an officinal drug, being the bark from the fleshy roots of the Convolvulus Turpethum, L. an exotic species of the Bind-weed, growing in Ceylon.
Turbith is imported in oblong pieces, which are of a brown, or ash-colour externally, and whitish within. The best is brittle; contains a large portion of resinous matter; and is at first of a sweetish taste; but, when chewed, it becomes pungent and nauseous.—This drug is occasionally employed as a purgative; but is by no means safe, or uniform, in its operation.—It pays, when imported by the East-India Company, 2l. per cent. according to its value, and farther, 1s. 112d. per lb. being the duty for home consumption.
TURBITH-MINERAL, or Yellow-vitriolated Quicksilver, a medicinal precipitate obtained by cautiously mixing eight parts of vitriolic acid with four of purified mercury; and distilling the whole to dryness, in a retort placed in a sand-furnace. The white calx, on being reduced to powder, and thrown into warm distilled water, assumes a yellow colour; and becomes tasteless after repeated ablutions.
Turbith-mineral is a powerful emetic, and has been given with frequent success, in doses of from 112 to 6 or 8 grains, to robust persons, who were afflicted with leprous diseases, and glandular obstructions, that had resisted the power of other medicines. It has also been recommended, in doses amounting from six grains to a scruple every day, in cases of hydrophobia; and some instances have occurred, in which it not only prevented madness in dogs that had been bitten, but also effected a cure, after the disease had actually taken place.—Lastly, the water, in which this mineral is washed, has been used externally for lotions, in the itch and other cutaneous affections; but such practice ought never to be adopted without proper advice; as it may be attended with danger.
TURBOT, or Pleuronectes maximus, L. is a large fish of a remarkable form, nearly square; the upper part of its body being ash-coloured, with numerous black spots of different sizes: the belly is white; the skin wrinkled, without scales; and furnished with small, short spines, irregularly disposed.
Turbots grow to a very considerable size, commonly weighing from 20 to 30lbs.: they are chiefly taken off the north coasts of England, Scotland, and Ireland; though one of the best known stations for the Turbot-fishery, is that on the Dogger-bank.—These fish generally associate in deep water, and are mostly drawn up by hooks and lines. The bait, usually employed, consists of small pieces of fresh herring, the lesser lamprey, haddock, or similar portions of fresh bullock's liver.—The turbot-fishery commences early in Lent; and, if conctuded with skill and regularity, it furnishes employment to a great number of persons, who, in a productive season, run into harbour twice a week, to deliver their cargoes.
As an article of food, the flesh of the turbot, though firm, is tender, abounding with rich gelatinous nutriment: it is farther improved, by suspending the fish in the open air tor 24 or 48 hours in the winter, before it is cooked.
