ASPHALTOS

ASPHALTOS, or Asphaltum,a solid, brittle, black, inflammable, bituminous Substance, resembling Pitch, brought from India; whence it is also called Jewish Pitch. See PITCH. The Asphaltos belongs to the Class of Bitumens; and is the furthest matured and concocted of the whole Tribe; but consists of the same simple Principles as the rest. See BITUMEN and SULPHUR. It is found swimming on the Surface of the Lacus Asphaltites, or Dead Sea, where anciently stood the Cities of Sodom and Gomorrah.—It is cast up from time to time, in the Nature of a liquid Pitch, from the Earth which lies under this Sea; and being thrown upon the Water, swims like other fat Bodies, and condenses by little and little, through the Heat of the Sun, and the Salt that is in it. The Arabs use it to pitch their Ships withal, as we do common Pitch.—Besides, there was a deal of it employed in the embalming of the Ancients. See EMBALMING, etc. It is supposed to fortify, and resist Putrefaction; resolve, attenuate, cleanse and cicatrize Wounds: But is little used among us either externally or internally. 'Tis usual to sophisticate the Asphaltos, by mixing common Pitch along with it; the Result whereof makes the Pissasphaltum, which the Coarseness of the black Colour, and the fetid Smell easily discover.—Others, however, will have its pitchy Quality natural to it, and suppose Pissasphaltum to be the native Asphaltum. See PISSASPHALTUM. Asphaltum is also a kind of bituminous Stone, found near the ancient Babylon, and lately in the Province of Neuchatel; which, mixed with other Matters, makes an excellent Cement, incorruptible by Air, and impenetrable by Water; supposed to be the Mortar so much celebrated among the Ancients, wherewith the Walls of Babylon were laid. See MORTAR, etc.



It yields an Oil which defends Ships from Water,Worms, etc. much better than the ordinary Composition; and which is also of good Service for the cleansing and healing of Ulcers, etc.

ASPHALTOS