Domestic Encyclopedia Or A Dictionary Of Facts, And Useful Knowledge Vol1 | by A. F. M. Willich

To The King

Sir, Animated by the gracious approbation, with which Your Majesty was pleased to receive the outline of the present Work, the Editor was encouraged to solicit the Royal Sanction, and to avail him...

Preface

As the nature and practical tendency of the Domestic Encyclopaedia have, in some measure, been anticipated, partly in the prefixed Title-page, and partly in the foregoing Dedication, a few remarks on ...

Abdomen

Abdomen, or the lower belly, is one of the most important regions of the human body, not only on account of its various contents, but also from its exposed situation. Although, to give a strictly a...

Ablution

Ablution, in its literal signification, implies washing, and is usually confined to purification by the aid of water; but may also be applied to cleansing, or washing with any other pure liquid. It is...

Abortion

Abortion, or miscarriage, is, in modern times, justly considered as a misfortune; though the detestable and unnatural vice of procuring it by art, was connived at by the ancient Romans; whose disgrace...

Abraum

Abraum, in natural history, a term given by some writers ies of red clay found in the Isle of Wight, and used by our artizans to impart a fine red colour to new mahogany wood. ...

Abridgement

Abridgement, is the art of compressing any .species of literary composition, so as to convey its full and complete tenor in a sm compass than the original. The talent of abridging the labours o...

Abscess

Abscess is a soft, circumscribed tumor, containing matter, generally attended with fluctuation, and some-times, though not always, with considerable pain. It is the consequence of some previous inflam...

Abstinence

Abstinence may be defined, the habit of refraining from what is either useful, agreeable, or pernicious ; and may be divided into general and particular. In the former sense, it may signify a certain ...

Acacia

Acacia, in botany, Egyptian thorn; according to LinnAEUs, is a species of mimosa, growing in Egypt. It is also to be found in North America, and is there called the locust-tree. Its culture is not dif...

False Acacia

Acacia, the False, or Robinia Pseudo-Acacia, L. is a native of North America, and the northern parts of Asia. This beautiful and valuable tree flourishes best in sandy soils, mixed with light black ea...

Acids

Acids are obtained from vegetable and mineral substances, either by fermentation or distillation. The vegetable acids, however, such as the juice of limes and lemons, are frequently procured withou...

Acorns

Acorns, or the seeds of the oak, though not at present an article of human subsistence, yet, if we may credit the testimony of ancient writers, formed no small part of the diet of the ancient Germans ...

Acre

Acre, a denomination used in the measurement of land: an acre consists of four square roods, each containing 40 perches, or poles. In different countries i( varies, accord-to the length.of the pole, w...

Acute Diseases

Acute Diseases are such as are either attended with inflammation, or other urgent symptoms, which bring on an early crisis, and render them dangerous in their consequence : hence they are opposed to c...

Adder

Adder, in zoology, a name for the viper. As this reptile is well known in most parts of England, a particular description of it is unnecessary ; but as accidents frequently happen by its bite, we shal...

Adulteration

Adulteration is the corruption, or debasement by an improper mixture, of any substance that was originally in a pure state. This art, though not unknown to the ancients, has in modern times been carri...

Advebtisement

Advebtisement, generally, signifies any information given to who are interested in a common concern. It more particularly alludes to a short account of an affair inserted in a public newspaper. We sho...

Aether

Aether, a term formerly used to signify a thin subtle matter, finer than air, and completely filling the whole space of the firmament. Various opinions have been held respecting its precise nature:...

Affliction

Affliction, as opposed to a state of joy and prosperity, cannot be called a disease, though when indulged to excess, it may be productive of many mental and bodily affections. For whatever tend., to e...

Agaric of the Oak

Agaric of the oak, or the Agaricus Quercimus, L. is well known as a styptic, when applied to external wounds. M. Adouillet, an eminent French surgeon, has employed it, instead of ligature...

Age

Ageb> signifies any period of duration. It is indiscriminately used to express many objects and situations, but is more frequently applied to the latter of advanced periods of human life ; and, i...

Agitation

Agitation is the art of shaking a body, or tossing it backwards and forwards. In physics, this term is often used for a commotion of the parts of a natural body. Fermentation and effervescence are att...

Agony

Agony is a term used to signify an extreme degree of pain, or the last pangs of death. The terror of death appears, in a great degree, occasioned by the contortions and convulsions with which the agon...

Agriculture

Agriculture is the art of cultivating the earth, so that it may produce the vegetables we desire in their greatest perfection. It may be divided into two branches : namely, theory and practice. The fo...

Common Agrimony

Common Agrimony; or Agrimonia Eupatoria, L. is an indigenous plant, Which grows in elevated situations, and is frequently met with about hedges and roads. It is represented in the 6th and 7th plates o...

Hemp 3 Agrimony

Hemp 3 Agrimony, or Eupa-torium cannalinum, L. is likewise a native plant, and grows chiefly on the banks of rivulets, and near hedges. A representation of it may be seen in Sowerby's English Botany, ...

Ague

Ague is a general term for those fevers which have periodical intermissions, and are. specifically denominated quotidian, Urtian, quartan, according to the various periods at which the febrile paroxys...

Air

Air, in a pure state, is a colourless, transparent, compressible and elastic fluid; and one of the most important elements, whether we consider its application to purposes general economy, or its effe...

Air-Bath

Air-Bath, in its general acceptation, implies a contrivance for the reception of fresh air. AH persons, but especially children, ought to resort, at least for a short time, every day to this method o...

Air-Jacket

Air-Jacket, a dress made of leather, in which are contained several bags or bladders, composed of the same materials, and communicating with with other. These are filled with air blown through a le...

Alabaster

Alabaster, is a species of stone, the basis of which is calcareous earth. Mixed with any acid, no effervescence takes place ; in this respect it differs from marble, but in its chemical properties it ...

Alarum

Alarum, a term employed to signify any instrument, or contrivance, for the purpose of awakening persons from sleep, at a certain hour, or of alarming them when exposed to danger. In the former sense, ...

Albumen

Albumen, properly signifies the white of an egg, but has lately been used in chemistry, to denote likewise one of those elementary constituents of vegetable bodies. which, in its colour and properties...

Alchemy

Alchemy is the art of transmuting metals into gold, or changing the inferior into more precious ores. It was formerly much cultivated, and held in high estimation by fanatics, as well as by many learn...

Alcohol

Alcohol, in chemistry, signifies spirit of wine, in a more ardent and purified state, obtained by distillation. Its specific gravity is to that of distilled water, as 315 to 1000. When diluted, in the...

Alder-Tree

Alder-Tree, or the Betula of Linnaeus, is so well known by the name of common birch, as to require no particular description. There are three species, 1. the alba, or common ;2. the nana, or dwarf; an...

Ale

Ale, a fermented liquor, extracted from malt by the process of brewing. It diners from beer, in having; a less proportion of hops. This beverage was first made in Egypt, and used as a substitute in th...

Ale-House

Ale-House, a public place o for drinking ale or beer. Houses of this description are licensed fey justices of the peace, who recognizance of the landlord, and sureties in ten pounds each, that ...

Aliment

Aliment. By this term is understood the nutritive quality of such substances as are dissolved and mixed in the stomach, and converted into chyle, by the digestive process. It may be considered rather ...

Alkalies

Alkalies, in chemistry, signify those substances which possess the following properties : viz. they are 1. incombustible; 2. capable of converting a vegetabable blue to a green colour; 3. they manifes...

Evergreen Alkanet

Evergreen Alkanet, or Bugloss; the Anchusa sempervirens: L. of eight species, the only one which is indigenous: it is represented in SowErby's Engl.Bot. 45, The Anchusa officinalis, or great...

Clown's All-Heal

Clown's All-Heal, or Marsh Woundwort, the Stachys palustris, L. is an indigenous plant, growing on the sides of rivers and lakes, in low, moist grounds, and sometimes in corn fields. It is represented...

Linnaeus

Linnaeus, the illustrious author of the prevailing system of botany, informs us, in his account of esculent plants, that the creeping roots of the all-heal are sought after with avidity by hogs; and t...

Pimento Allspice

Pimento Allspice, or Jamaica pepper. The berry, in its smell, resembles a mixture of cinnamon, nutmegs, and cloves, whence it has derived its name. It is milder than the East India pepper, and, when e...

Almanack

Almanack, a term derived from two Arabic words, at and ma-nack, a diary; and is, as its name imports, a table or register containing calendar of days and months, the rising and setting of the sun, the...

Almond

Almond, a tree, eminent both for its fruit, and for the ornament which it affords to a shrubbery. It is the original of the ancient genus amygdalus, and by the botanic characters of the flowers, compr...

Alms

Alms, or charitable donations to the poor. In the early ages of Christianity, this term was employed in a more general sense, and signified as well those donations which were given for the subsistence...

Alms-Houses

Alms-Houses are asylums for the support and maintenance of a certain number of poor, aged, or infirm persons during their lives. When these institutions are of a private nature, and limited in their e...

Aloe

Aloe is a beautiful exotic plant, the flowers of which grow in umbels on the tops of the stalks, are of an elegant red colour, and appear in the months of August and September. It consists often sp...

Alum

Alum is a concrete salt, transparent, and of a very austere and astringent taste. It is in general a chemical preparation, being rarely found in a natural state, or freed from other ingredients. In Eg...

Amber

Amber (Succinum) is a hard, bituminous substance, possessing a resinous taste, and a fragrant aromatic smell. It is the production of many countries, but the best sort is that which is found in variou...

Alvibury

Alvibury, in farriery signifies a tumour, or wart which is soft to the touch. and full of extravasated blood. It is a disorder incident to horses, and may be cured by the following method. Tie a st...

Ammonia

Ammonia of which there are two sorts, the native and the factitious. The former, described by Pliny and. Dioscorides, was generated from the urine of camels, in the inns, or caravanseras, where the pi...

Ammoniac

Ammoniac is a concrete, gummy - resinous juice, usually brought from the East Indies in large masses composed of lumps or tears of a milky colour, but on exposure to the air, it quickly acquires a yel...

Amphibious Animals

Amphibious Animals are so called, on account of their living partly on land, and partly in water. We cannot, consistently with our plan, enter into a disquisition re-ting their nature and funct...

Amputation

Amputation is a term in surgery, and signifies the cutting: off a limb from the body. It is sometimes rendered necesssary when a part is so diseased as either to be or ...

Amusements

Amusements, may be divided into public and private; and they are either of an active or sedentary nature. The former usually consist of bails, plays, entertainments, etc.; the latter, of the various d...

Ancient Languages

Ancient Languages are those which are 110 longer spoken by a living people, such as the Hebrew, Greek, and Latin : they generally form a part of the education of those students who are intended for th...

Shakespeare

Shakespeare. us hirellng; Mil-. divine poem lay long neglect for a song. Ot-way lived . | in a days in po-y and a living proach to , - and the first or English philos...

Ancient Times

Ancient Times are those which refer to remote periods of antiquity. The degeneracy and corruption of modern times, as opposed to those of the ancients, have afforded a fruitful source of peevish in...

Anemometer

Anemometer signifies a mechanical instrument for ascertaining the power and velocity of the wind. Successful methods have discovered to determine, with in, the various properties of the air, its ...

Anemone

Anemone, or Wind-Flower, is the name of a plant d on account of thai flowers', which, by Greeks, were supposed not to open till the wind blows ; whence it received its original name. Lin-n...

Anemoscope

Anemoscope, a mechanical instrument for determining the course and velocity of the wind. That part which exhibits the former, or shews from what point of the compass the wind blows, consists of an ind...

Aneurism

Aneurism, in surgery, signifies a throbbing tumor, occasioned by the dilatation or rupture of an. artery : it consists of* three kinds. viz. the true or encysted, the false or diffused; and the varico...

Angelica

Angelica, is a plant of which there are seven species, though, only two of them may be ranked among the indigenous. 1. Angelica Archangclica, L. or the Garden Angelica, is a large umbelliferous pla...

Anger

Anger may be defined to be a violent passion of the poind, aris from a sense of personal injury, and attended with an ardent desire of It is either deliberative or instinctive; in the latter case, ...

Angling

Angling, among sportsmen, is the art of fishing with a rod, to which are fitted a line, hook, and bait. The season for this amusement commences about the month of June, and the proper hours are, at th...

Animal

Animal, in natural History, signifies an organized, living body, capable of voluntary motion, and endowed with sensation. The most powerful instinct of animals is, that of self-preservation, and th...

Animalcule

Animalcule, in its general acceptation, merely signifies a little animal, but is usually applied to those living objects, which are invisible to the naked eye, and can be discoverable only by the assi...

Animal Flower

Animal Flower (Actinia Sociata) from its supposed property of stinging-, was formerly called Sea-Nettle, or Sea- Anemone, but by late English writers has received its present name. This singular anima...

Animal Kingdom

Animal Kingdom, an expression which includes all organized living bodies capable of sensation and voluntary motion : and essentially differing from plants and minerals, which have neither organs of se...

Animal Life

Animal Life is that organized principle which distinguishes animals from vegetables, and is susceptible of sensation and reflection. Various conjectures have, at different periods, and ...

Animal Magnetism

Animal Magnetism, or the art of curing diseases by the magnet, was invented by a German philosopher, named Father Hehl, of Vienna, who first applied it to medicine : but the noted MesmERi, a physician...

Animal Motion

Animal Motion : various conjectures have been broached with a view to account for the origin of this important function in the animal economy: but, like most other springs of action, arising from a .f...

Animal Economy

Animal Economy, in its more extensive sense, implies an accurate and physiological knowledge of the use, structure, and component parts of all animal bodies j but is here intended, to signify only suc...

Animal Spirits

Animal Spirits are supposed to consist of a fine and subtle fluid, secreted in the cortical substance of the brain, and spinal marrow, which passes through the medullary part, and is conveyed through ...

Animation

Animation, is that property which distinguishes living from dead or inanimate matter, and is frequently used to denote the principle of lite itself. Strictly speaking, however, it is that which im-par...

Anise

Anise, or Pimpinelln, in bo, is an annual, umbelliferous and aromatic plant, of which there are ten species, though scarcely three of them are indigenous, name1. The Common Burnet Saxifrage, or t...

Annealing

Annealing, by artificers called Heating, is a part of the process of making, or finishing, glass ; and consists in placing bottles and other vessels, while hot, in a kind of oven or furnace, where the...

Annuity

Annuity implies a sum of money payable yearly, half-yearly, or quarterly, to continue for a certain number of years, for life, or for ever. An annuity is called an arrear, when it continues unpaid ...

Anodyne

Anodyne, is a term applied to medicines which have a tendency to assuage pain. This desirable purpose may be attained in three different ways: 1. By pare-gorics, or such remedies as are calculated to ...

Ant

Ant, or Formica, in zoology, is a genus of insects belonging to the sixth class of the animal kingdom. The characters of this are, that there is a small scale tween the breast and belly ; the joi...

Ant-Hills

Ant-Hills are so well known, that they require no additional description to that given under the article Ant.They are very injurious to dry pastures, not only by wasting the extent of soil whic...

Antidotes

Antidotes, are medicines which prevent or cure the effect deleterious substances, either taken into the stomach, or externally applied to the human body. Of those poisons which generally prove mo...

Antimony

Antimony is a heavy, brittle semi-metal, composed of long bright streaks, resembling needles, of a dark lead colour, and without taste or smell. It is found in Germany, France, and also in Eng-j but...

Antipathy

Antipathy, in physiology, is used to express the natural aversion which an animated or sensitive being feels at the real or ideal presence of any particular object. Such are the reciprocal hostilities...

Antiquities

Antiquities is a term signifying those testimonies, or authentic records of the early ages, which are transmitted to posterity by tradition. The study of antiquities forms a very extensive science,...

Antiscorbutics

Antiscorbutics signify those applications and medicines which are found useful in the cure of the scurvy, such as pure air, gentle exercise, milk, vegetables, fruit, etc.See Scurvy. ...

Antiseptics

Antiseptics, a term applied to those substances which resist or check putrefaction. Prior to the experiments made by Sir John Pringle, for the purpose of ascertaining in what manner bodies are reso...

Anxiety

Anxiety is that state of the mind in which it is uneasy about some future event; either from an apprehension of danger, or a solicitude of being relieved from suspense. The causes of anxiety may be...

Ape

Ape, in zoology, an animal of which we find more than fifty species : it is more remarkable on account of its peculiar instinct, bodily structure, and habits of life, than from either its dangerous or...

Aperients

Aperients, in medicine, signify those substances which possess a gentle, purgative quality, and facilitate the circulation of the fluids, by removing obstructions.See Laxatives. ...

Aphorism

Aphorism is a term used to denote either an unconnected maxim, or a short pointed sentence, comprising much in a few words. It is at present chiefly used in medicine, and law : thus we say, the Aphori...

Apoplexy

Apoplexy is a disease in which the patient is suddenly deprived of sensation, and incapable of voluntary motion. Although nosologists have included several other affections of the head, under this den...

Apothecary

Apothecary, is an appellation given to persons who vend and compound medicinal drugs ; though most of them likewise prescribe tor diseases, and attend patients, as well in slight as in the most danger...

Appetite

Appetite, in general, signifies the natural instinctive desire, by which the animal is led to pursue the gratifications of sense. In the present instance, however, we shall confine its meaning to the ...

Apple-Tree

Apple-Tree, the common, or Pyr us malus, L. is too well known in this country, to require a minute description. It frequently grows to the height of twenty or thirty, feet, and produces a considerable...

Application

Application, in a general sense, signifies the art of bringing things together, in order to discover their mutual agreement or relation to each other. It is also familiarly used to express the study o...

Apprenticeship

Apprenticeship, is the binding of a person by covenant, to serve his master for a limitted period, on condition of being instructed in his trade, or occupation. Its usual duration is for the term of s...

Apricot-Tree

Apricot-Tree, the Primus Armeniaca, L. is a species of the plum, or cherry-tree. Although Linnjeus has reduced these different trees to one genus, which he calls Prunus, yet we shall in this place enu...

Aqua Fortis

Aqua Fortis, the nitrous acid of a certain strength, and so called from its dissolving power; but, when in a concentrated and smoking state, it is denominated spirit of nitre. It is made by distilling...

Aqua Regia

Aqua Regia is a compound of the nitrous and marine acids, in different proportions, according to the purpose for which it is required; and usually made, by dissolving sal ammoniac, or common salt, in ...

Aqua Vitae

Aqua Vitae is usually understood to signify either brandy, or spirit of wine, prepared simply, or with aromatics. Some, however, make a distinction; appropriating the term brandy to what is drawn from...

Arable Lands

Arable Lands, in general, are those naturally fit for tillage, or which may, by proper means, be prepared for the production of grain. The just proportion between arable and pasture. lands, has in ...

Arbour

Arbour, in gardening, is a kind of shady bower, formerly in great esteem, but of late almost generally abandoned, on account of the damp and unwholesome shelter it affords. Arbours are principally ...

Arcanum

Arcanum, strictly speaking, signifies any thing which is involved in mystery; but, in physic, it more usually denotes a remedy, the preparation of which is industriously concealed, either to enhance i...

Archery

Archery is the art, or exercise, of shooting with a bow and arrow. Among: ancient nations, the bow was the principal instrument of war; and the. skill of the archer often decided the fate of battle...

Architecture

Architecture, a term which denotes the art of building in general, though chiefly applied to the construction of edifices ap propriated to the purposes of civil life, such as houses, churches, halls, ...

Argument

Argument, when applied to logic, signifies an inference drawn from premises, the truth of which is either indisputable, or highly probable. In matters of literature, it denotes the abridgement, or hea...

Arithmetic

Arithmetic, is a science which teaches the method of computing numbers, and explains their nature and peculiarities. At what time it was invented, is altogether unknown ; though the four first fundame...

Aromatic

Aromatic, an epithet given to such substances as yield a strong fragrant smell, and impart a warm taste. In this class are included the various spices, such as nutmegs, cloves, cinnamon, mace, &G.. So...

Arquebusade Water

Arquebusade Water, a medicinal preparation, which has received this name, from its great efficacy in healing gun-shot wounds, though it is, at present, with more propriety, applied to bruises, tumors ...

Arrack

Arrack, Arac, or Rack, is a spirituous liquor imported from the East Indies, and used either as a cordial, or an ingredient in punch. It is obtained by distillation from rice, or sugar, fermented with...

Arrangement

Arrangement, a term which denotes a distribution of the various component parts of any whole, in a certain order, or proportion: and refers either to sub-stance, time, or place. In the first instance,...

Arrow

Arrow, is a missive weapon of defence, used by archers. Its form is slender, pointed, and barbed. Arrow-makers were denominated fletchers ; men of considerable importance in the state. Arrow...

Arrow-Grass

Arrow-Grass, is a plant of which there are three species ; but two only are natives of Britain, namely, the Triglochin palustre, or Marsh, and the maritimiuni, or Sea Arrow-grass. The former is fre-qu...

Arrow-Head

Arrow-Head, Common, the Sagittaria sagittifolia, L. is one of those neglected plants, which, though growing wild in many parts of England, especially on the banks of rivers, are not converted to any ...

Arrow-Root

Arrow-Root, Indian, or the Marania, a plant of which there are three species, the arundinacea, galanga, and comosa; all of them are herbaceous, perennial exotics of the Indies, and kept in our hot-hou...

Arsenic

Arsenic, an heavy, opaque, crystalline substance, which, on fracture, resembles sal ammoniac in a concrete state. Most of the metallic ores contain it in greater or less proportion, especially those o...

Arts

Arts as defined by Lord Bacon, is. a properdisposal of natural objects, by human thought and experience ; so as to answer the several purposes of mankind; in which sense the word Art stands oppose...

Artery

Artery, or a pulsating blood-vessel, is a cylindrical canal, conveying the blood immediately from the heart to all the parts of the body. On examining the structure of the largest of these vessels, su...

Artichoke

Artichoke, or the Cynara, L. though an exotic, is a plant well known and much cultivated in this country. There are four species, but only two are reared for use, viz. the scolymus, or garden artichok...

Jerusalem Artichoke

Jerusalem Artichoke, is a plant of the same genus as the sun-flower. It produces bulbs at its roots, has been long cultivated in gardens, as an esculent vegetable, and, except that it is watery and of...

Articulation

Articulation, in language, is the divsion of sounds into distinct, syllables; and consists in giving every letter its due proportion of sound, so that the hearer may perceive and determine their numb...

Artificer

Artificer is a person employed in manufacturing any kind of goods or wares, such as those of iron, brass, wool, See . Of this description are smiths, braziers, and weavers. They are distinguished from...

Artist

Artist is an appellation given to a person skilled in some particular art, such as that of watch-making, engraving, etc. Evelyn informs us, that a privilege is granted to artists at Vi-cenza, simil...

Arvenusly

Arvenusly, or Pinus Cem-bra, L. is a species of pine, which is principally found in Siberia, and on the Alpine mountains. Its branches resemble those of the pitch-tree, which is commonly called spruce...

Asafcetida

Asafcetida, a gum-resin, so called on account of its offensive smell. It is obtained from the Ferula asafuetida, L. an umbelliferous plant, growing wild in Persia; the root of which, on cutting it, ex...

Asarabacca

Asarabacca, in botany, the Asarum Europoem, L. is an English, though rare* plant, growing in the northern woody parts of this island. A good representation of it is given in Dr. Woodville's '. Bot. P1...

Ascarides

Ascarides, in zoology, belong to the order of vermes, and are divided into two species : 1. the vermiculaiis, distinguished by a transverse mouth, and faint annular rugae, or folds. It is about a quar...

Ash

Ash, or the Fraxinus, L. is a genus of which there are six species. Of these, the most useful is the common indigenous ash, or Fraxi-?uts excelsior, L. which is well known to every rural economist. ...

Ashes

Ashes, generally speaking, are the remains of bodies reduced by fire. There are vegetable, animal, and mineral ashes: but the first strictly entitled to that appellation. We understand, that the Frenc...

Asparagus

Asparagus, also called Spa-ragus, Sperage, or Sparrow-grass, is an esculent plant, which is reared with great attention, and much esteemed on account of its delicate flavour. There are ten species, bu...

Asphodel

Asphodel, or King's Spear, the Asphodelus, L. is an exotic plant, of which there are five species 5 namely, four growing wild in the southern parts of Europe, and one only, the Nartheczuvt ossifra-gum...

Ass

Ass, by naturalists, is classed as a species of horse, or Equus. The tame, or domestic Ass, is an animal remarkable for his meek-tience, and tranquillity. He submits with firmness to chasti...

Assembly

Assembly, in general, signifies a meeting of several persons in the same place, and for a common purpose. Without entering into a history of the assemblies that were customary among the ancients, or t...

Assimilation

Assimilation, inanimal economy, is that hidden natural process by which living beings are enabled to convert such bodies as have a certain affinity to them, or at least after having undergone some pre...

Asthma

Asthma, is a spasmodic disease of the organs of respiration, attended with cough, difficulty of breathing, wheezing, etc. There are two distinct species of this disorder, each of which requires a d...

Astringents

Astringents are those medicinal substances which act upon the simple elementary fibres, by contracting them, and increasing the force of cohesion, so as to re-lieve that degree of which depends on the...

Astrology

Astrology, a conjectural science, the professors of which pretend to judge of the effects and influence of the planets ; and to foretell future events; by the situation and different aspects of the he...

Astronomy

Astronomy is considered as the most sublime of all the sciences, and implies a knowledge of the heavenly bodies, with regard to their respective magnitude, motions, distances, etc. ; and of the natura...

Athletic Habit

Athletic Habit, a term which implies a strong of body. Among the , it signified a robust and corpulent such as the athtetae endeauvoured to acquire. The athletic habit is cor ...

Atmosphere

Atmosphere, a term derived from the greek words vapour and sphere, whence it has been generally applied, to signify that surrounding mass of air which consists of aqueous and other vapours, the electr...

Attenuants

Attenuants, or attenuating medicines, in humoral pathology are such as have a tendency to subtilize or resolve the humours into finer parts. And though this defi nition may not satisfy the plurality o...

Auction

Auction, a public sale for the disposal of household goods, books, plate, landed estates, etc. By this method of sale, the highest bidder is always the purchaser. The origin of sales by auction is ver...

Autumn

Autumn is computed the third season of the year ; and with respect to the animal body, is doubtless the most unhealthy. Hence Tertuelian calls it merest of valetudinarians ; but the ancient G...

Avarice

Avarice, is that restless and insatiable desire of accummulating riches, which is the surest indication of a contracted and, generaih , depraved mind. As the governing passions of the brute creatio...

Avens

Avens, or Geum, L. a genus of plants comprehending eleven species, of which, however, only two are natives of Britain, viz. 1. Common Avens ; the Geum urranum, L. (also called great; flowered Areas...

Bachelor

Bachelor, a word of doubtful origin ; though, in the political economy of nations, when a plurality of persons apparently glory in that appellation, its practice cannot fail to be attended with effect...

Bacon

Bacon, the flesh of swine, salted, dried, and, generally, smoked in a chimney. As the history and customs relative to this savoury dish, would furnish but little instruction, we shall proceed to state...

Badger

Badger, an nnimal resembling in its external characters, both a dog and a hog: it is now seldom met with in England, though formerly it afforded great sport. The unequal length of its legs has introdu...

Bag

Bag, in commerce, is a term for a sack, or pouch, containing a certain quantity or weight of some particular commodity. Thus a bag of almonds is about three hundred pounds ; of aniseed, from three to ...

Bagnio

Bagnio, a term adopted from the Italian, and signifying a lath : in English, it denotes a house for bathing, sweating, and cleansing the body; but sometimes also for worse purposes, The ...

Baiting

Baiting, a practice derived from the barbarous ages, and one of those amusements which degrade the human character. Thus we hear of the baiting of bulls, or bears, by mastiffs, or bull-dogs with short...

Baker

Baker, a person whose business is that of baking and selling bread. The origin of this useful profession is not ascertained, though it is certain that the first public bakers appeared in the Fast, and...

Baking

Baking is the art of converting flour, or other farinaceous substances, into bread. - As we propose to treat more fully on this subject, under the article Bread, we shall here only explain what relate...

Balance

Balance, one of the six simple powers in mechanics, principally used for determining the equality or difference of weights in such bodies as are liable to this computation. There are two kinds of w...

Baldness

Baldness, a defect of hair chiefly on the forepart of the head. Among the pre-disposing causes of baldness, indulgence i-i sensualgratifications, and paxti-Alarly in wine and spir...

Ball

Ball, in a general sense, is ;a round or spherical body, whether formed by nature or art. Thus the terraqueous globe which we inhabit, appears to have assumed that form. in consequence of the ...

Balls

Balls, in the polished circles of society, are those nocturnal assemblies devoted chiefly to the entertainment of dancing. Whether public or private, the institution of balls appears to have been orig...

Balm

Common Balm, or Melissa officinalis, L. is an exotic plant, though much cultivated by our gardeners, on account of its pleasant aromatic smell, resembling that of the lemon, and its fragrant, thou...

Balsam

Balsam, or Native Balsam, an oily-resinous fluid, oozing out of certain plant, either spontaneously, or by incision. There are a variety of balsams, denominated according to the sub-stances from wh...

Balsamics

Balsamics, a term used in an indefinite manner, but literally signifying mitigating substance and often applied to medicines of very different qualities, such as emmollients, detergents, rest...

Balsamine

Balsamine, or Touch-menot, the Impatients noli-fang L. is one of the poisonous native plants, growing in moist and shady, places, especially in several parts of Westmoreland, Lancashire, Yorkshire,...

Bamboe Habit

Bamboe Habit, an invention of the Chinese, by the use of which a person unskilled in the art of swimming may easily keep himself above water. The Chi: merchants, when going on a voyage, always provide...

Bandage

Bandage, in surgery, a fillet, or roller, used in dressing and binding up wounds, restraining dangerous bleedings, and in joining fractured or dislocated bones. The modern and more enlightened surg...

Bandy-Legs

Bandy-Legs, a vernacular expression applied to distorted or crooked legs. In some cases this is a natural defect in the birth, though it may more frequently be ascribed to an improper treatment of inf...

Bane-Berries

Bane-Berries, the production of the Herb-Christopher, or Actea spicala, L. a native plant, which is in a high degree poisonous, though very rare, and to be met with chiefly in the northwestern extremi...

Bank

Bank, in commerce, signifies a common repository, where persons consent to keep their money : it is also applied to certain societies or communities, who take charge of the money of others, either for...

Bank-Fence

Bank-Fence, in rural economy, signifies the inclosure of ground with an artificial bank. In places where fiat stones cannot be procured, the most durable and advantageous method of fencing in arable ...

Banks

Banks of Rivers, are those natural boundaries within which . 7 stream is confined, accord-to the magnitude and velocity of its current. But as the course of rivers is frequently rapid and irre...

Banks of the Sea

Banks of the Sea, are those ions of the ground or bottom of the ocean that may be compared to ridges or hills, with which the land is more or less intersected. Sea-bank sometimes project above...

Bankrupt

Bankrupt, an appellation given to a person whose bank or : the word is From the French, lanque-route which signifies a breaking or failing in affairs of fortune. From the descriptio...

Barbel

Barbel, in ichthyology, a genus of fresh-water fishes, comprising thirty-one species, which are principally distinguished by the number of rays in the vent-fin: their general characters are, a toothle...

Baubles

Baubles, or BARBS, in fa riery, are those small excrescences frequently appearing under the tongue of horses, as well as black cattle : cattle i they are known by two paps, which may be discover...

Barilla

Barilla, or BARILHA, is properly, the Spanish name of a plant cultivated for its ashes, from which the purest mineral alkali is obtained; but likewise signifies that particular sort of vegetable alkal...

Baring

Baring of Trees, in horticulture, is the removing of the earth from the roots of those which are planted in a dry soil. This operation should be carefully performed in autumn, without injuring the roo...

Bark

Bark, in the dissection of plants, is the exterior coat of trees, corresponding to the skin of animals. As these are furnished with a cellular membrane covering all the fleshy parts, and usually reple...

Barley

Barley, or Hordeum, L. one of the most useful culmifernus plants, producing mealy and saccharine grains, which are principally used for malting and brewing beer. As the different species and varieties...

Barn

Barn, in husbandry, a covered building or place, with vent-holes in the sides, for laying up any kind of grain, hay, or straw. This kind of store-house being so well known to all rural economists, ...

Barn-Floors

Barn-Floors. The best kind are to be found, according to Mr. Marshall, in the district of Cotswold, Gloucestershire: they are from 12 to 14, by 18 to 20feet ; some of ouk, Others of stone; but ...

Barometer

Barometer, an instrument of modern invention, for measuring and ascertaining the weight of the atmosphere, as well as the height of maintains, and likewise foretelling, with tolerable accuracy, the pr...

Barrel

Barrel, in commerce, is a vessel of an oblong size, made of wood, the form of which is generally known, as well as its use for holding various sorts of merchandize : it is also used as a measure for l...

Barrenness

Barrenness, a term syno-nimous to sterility, in opposition to fecundity, That the creation might not degenerate, Nature has wisely ordained barrenness to all monstrous productions; and hence the steri...

Barter

Barter, or Truck, is the ex-? changing of one commodity for another ; and forms a rule in the commercial part of arithmetic, by which the commodities are properly calculated and equalled, by computing...

Basaltes

Basaltes, in natural history, a hard stone of a black, grey, or sometimes greenish colour; and on account of its constituent parts, and resemblance to lava, generally classed among the volcanic produc...

Basilicon Ointment

Basilicon Ointment, in pharmacy, a preparation consisting of eight parts of hogs lard; five of white resin; and two of vellow wax: or, according to the London College, of nearly equal parts of yellow...

Basket

Basket, a well knownutensil, made of twigs interwoven together. Considered as a measure in commerce, it denotes an uncertain quantity, as a basket of medlars is two bushels ; of asafoetida from 20 to ...

Bat

Bat, or Vespertiuo, an animal which seems to fill up the chasm between quadrupeds and birds ; with the latter, however, it has in common only the power of flying, as, Nature has provided it with a smo...

Bath

Bath, in the general acceptation of the term, signifies a conve-nient receptacle of water adapted to the various purposes of washing or cleansing, and bracing the body, either by plunging, or continui...

Bathing

Bathing, in general, signifies the act of immersing the body, or part of it, into water, or any other fluid ; and is a practice coeval with mankind. The ancient Greeks, Romans, and Germans, as well...

Dry Baths

Dry Baths were formerly made of ashes, salt, sand, shreds of leather, and similar substance. - Celsus informs us, that the ancihad a variety of sweating baths by a dry heat, and especially by certai...

Medicated Baths

Medicated Baths, are those saturated with various mineral, vegetable, or sometimes animal sub-stances. Thus we have sulphur and steel baths, aromatic and milk baths ;'there can be no doubt, tha...

Bath-Waters

Bath-Waters are celebrated on account of their having a higher temperature than any other in Britain, and being the only springs which are sensibly hot to the touch. All other therma/ waters of this i...

Bay-Salt

Bay-Salt, a kind of brownish impure salt, manufactured in France, Italy, and other countries, by evaporating sea-water in clay-pits ; which is effected at a small expence, and with little trouble. ...

Bay-Tree

Bay-Tree, or Lauras, L. is an elegant tree, of which there are ten species ; but none of these being indigenous, we shall in this place give an account of those only, which may perhaps in this country...

Bean

Bean, or Vicia, L. a genus of plants, of which there are four species commonly reared in the gardens of this country: l. The small Lisbon, or Magazan ; 2. The Spanish ; 3.The Sandwich ; and 4.The Wind...

Kidney Bean

Kidney Bean, or P haseo-ins, L. is a plant of one species, with several varieties. Those prin-cipally cultivated for the table, are, 1. The common white, or Dutch kidney bean ; 2. The smaller kidney, ...

Bear

Bear, or Ursus, in natural history, a genus of curious quadrupeds, consisting of eight species, the most remarkable of which are: 1. The artos, or black bear, animal of a phlegmatic temperament, i...

Beard

Beard, the hair growing on the chin and adjacent parts of the face of male adults. The customs of most nations, respecting the beard, have been various. Ancient writers have spoken honourably of the f...

Beauty

Beauty, in its literal signification, is a term applied to objects of sight, but often figuratively, though improperly, used to express the. effect produced by the perception of other senses, such as ...

Beaver

Beaver, or Castor, a qua-druped, of which there are three species. 1. The fiber, or common beaver, which inhabits the northern parts of Europe, Asia, and America, in the banks of rivers or lakes, a...

Bed

Bed, a convenience for ease, or sleep. It was the general practice in the first ages, for mankind to sleep upon the skins of beasts ; and the Ancient Britons, before the first Roman invasion, slept o...

Bed-Room

Bed-Room, an apartment, or chamber, devoted to the enjoyment of nightly repose, after the usual labour and fatigue of the clay. Those happy few who, from their respective situations in life, are enabl...

Bedstead

Bedstead, a frame for supporting a bed. Among the various materials used for bedsteads, iron is not only the most durable, but also the most beneficial, with respect to health. Oak is excellent for th...

Bed-Time

Bed-Time, or that period of the evening or night, when we retire to enjoy the necessary repose. Although it would be difficult, in the present irregular state of society, to lay down rules for the...

Bee

Bee, or Apis, in natural history, a genus of insects, of which the mellifica, or domestic honey-bee, is particularly worthy of attention. I. Economy, Instincts, etc. A hive of bees maybe...

Bee-Hives

Bee-Hives made of straw, have been generally preferred, as they are not liable to be over-heated by the rays of the sun, keep out the cold better than wood, and are cheaper than those of any other mat...

Bee-Wax

Bee-Wax, a solid concrete, obtained from the honey-combs, sweet and liquid parts are extracted by heating and pressing them between iron plates. The should be hard, compact of a clear yellow c...

Bee-Glue

Bee-Glue, formerly called Virgin-wax (Propolis:), is another balsamic production of the bee, which deserves to be noticed : it is a kind of natural mastich, of a reddish colour, and very agreeable sme...

Beech-Tree

Beech-Tree, or the Fagus, L. a plant of which there are three species, viz. 1. The sylvatica, or beech-tree, which rises sixty or seventy feet high; 2. The castnnea, or chesnut-tree; 3. The puwila. or...

Beech-Nut

Beech-Nut or, as it is more generally called, Beech-Mast, is the seed or fruit of the beech-tree, and is recommended for feeding and fattening hogs. These animals may be secured from the gargut, by mo...

Beech-Mast Oil

Beech-Mast Oil, is express-. ed from the mast, after it has been shelled and pounded. It is used in many parts of France and Silesia instead of butter: according to Some accounts, it is li...

Beef

Beef, the flesh of black cattle, prepared for food. This process is managed in various ways, accordingly as the meat is intended for keeping a longer or shorter time. The usual method of salting beef,...

Beef-Tea

Beef-Tea, a preparation commonly made for persons whose energy of the stomach is reduced, either after recovery from diseases, or in consequence of complaints arising from indigestion. It has been a c...

Beer

Beer is a fermented, spirituous liquor, prepared from any fa Ous grain, but generally from and, strictly speaking, vinous production, serving as a substitute for wine. As we propose to give a sh...

Beestings

Beestings, or Breastings, in domestic, economy, a term used for the first milk drawn from a cow after calving. This liquor is of a thick consist-ence, and yellowish colour ; whence some persons hav...

Beet

Beet, or Beta, L. a plant of which there are four species, viz. 1. The maritima, or sea-beet, which grows spontaneously by the sea side} and in salt marshes in many parts of England. 2. The ho...

Beetle

Beetle, or Scaralecus, L. a well-known insect, of which there are eighty-seven species, of one common formation, having cases to their wings, which are the more necessary, as they mostly live beneath ...

Beggars

Beggars require no definition. Various opinions have been held, concerning the good or bad consequences which result from the practice of relieving common beggars, in the public streets. Dr. BURN o...

Belles Lettres

Belles Lettres, or polite literature, a very comprehensive expression, though not easily defined. Our industrious predecessors, the editors of the Encyclopcedia, Britannica, justly complain that th...

Bell-Flower

Bell-Flower, or Campanula, L. a genus of plants comprehending eighty species : of which, however, only nine are indigenous. The following are the principal : 1. The rotundifolia, or Round-leaved Be...

Bellows

Bellows, an apparatus so contrived, as alternately to inspire and expel the air. This machine is too well known to require a particular description. It is used in chambers, kitchens, forges, and found...

Belly-Ach

Belly-Ach, or Colic, is a disease which may arise from various causes, and is generally accompanied with costiveness, though sometimes also with diarrhoea, especially in children. Adults frequently co...

Bene-Sked

Bene-Sked, the production of an American plant, the botanical name of Which we have not been able to ascertain. According to a letter of Mr. J. MoRel, inserted in the first volume of the Trans...

Bent Grass

Bent Grass, or Agrotis, a genus of grasses comprehending forty-one species, of which, according to Dr. Smith, only eight are indigenous ; though Dr-. Hull enumerates fourteen : of these, how ever, we...

Benzoine

Benzoine, a concrete resinous juice, obtained, according Mr. DRYANDER from the Styrax benzoe, L. a tree which grows chiefly in the island of Sumatra. It is imported from the East Indies. in large mas...

Berberries

Berberries, or Barberries, the Herberts, L. a shrub better known by the name of Piperidge busk. There are three species of this plant, but one only is indigenous, namely, the vulgaris, or Common Berbe...

Here

Here, or Barley-big, or Square Barley, is a very strong luxuriant plant, both in grain and straw: it resembles bailey in growth, and cone-wheat in size. It is generally cultivated in Ireland, fo...

Bergamot

Bergamot, a varietv of the citron, produced by grafting the latter on the stock of a bergamot-pear-tree. The fruit has an exquisite smell and flavour ; and its essence is highly esteemed as a perfume....

Berne-Machine

Berne-Machine, an engine for rooting up trees, invented by P. Sommer, a native of Berne, in Switzerland. This machine consists of three principal parts : the beam, the ram, and the lever. The beam ...

Betony

Betony (Wood), or Betonica officinalis, L. alow perennial plant, growing wild in woods, and thickets ; its flowers, which appear in July and August, are of a purplish colour, and stand in spikes on th...

Bezoar

Bezoar, in natural history and medicine, is a calculous concretion, found in the stomach of animals of the goat kind. It is a morbid substance, possessing neither taste nor smell, and it cannot be con...

Biennial Plants

Biennial Plants are those, of only two years duration. Several vegetables are of this tribe : being-raised from seed, they generally attain perfection the first year ; and in the following spring, or ...

Bilberry

Bilberry, ' or the Vacantia*, L, is a plant of which, according to Bechstein, there are twenty-six species, while others enumerate only fifteen: of these, the following are indigenous: 1. The myrti...

Bile

Bile, is a yellow, or greenish, saponaceoua liquor, secreted in the liver, and collected in the gall-bladder, into which it regurgititates as it were, into a blind gut, and is thence discharged into t...

Bill

Bill, in husbandry and mechanics, an edged tool, made of iron, with a curvated point. It is much used by gardeners, for pruning trees, and by plumbers and basket-makers. When fitted to a short handle,...

Bindweed

Bindweed, or Convolvulus, L. a genus of plants, comprising forty-three species, of which only three are natives, namely : 1. The arvensis, or Small Bindweed, a common plant in fields and hedges, bu...

Biography

Biography, an account of the lives and characters of remark-able persons. It is the most entertaining and instructive branch of history, and admits of the description and passion of romance, with this...

Birch-Tree

Birch-Tree (Common), or Betula alia, L. is one of the indigenous trees which has already been mentioned under the head of Alder-tree, though the latter is only a species of the same genus, and oug...

Bird

Bird is a biped animal, provided with a bill, and covered with feathers, having two wings, by which it is enabled to fly, except in a few instances. The science which treats of birds, in general, is ...

Bird-Lime

Bird-Lime is a viscid matter used for catching birds. - There are different ways of preparing this substance, but it is generally made of holly bark, which is boiled ten or twelve hours; and when its ...

Bird-Cherry

Bird-Cherry, or the Prunus Padus, L. is a species of cherry-tree, growing wild in several parts of Britain, especially in the North of England, and some parts of Norfolk. The Bird-cherry tree atta...

Common Bird's Foot

Common Bird's Foot, or Omithopus perpusillus, L. is an indigenous p'ant ; the yellow flowers of which blow in July or August; and the legumen, or pulse, is curv-ed in the form of a bow. See CURT. Land...

Birth Wort

Birth Wort (Slender), or Aristolochia clematitis, , is the only indgenous species of that plant: it has heart-shaped leaves, an upright stem, and its root is long and slen-der. - See Engl. Bot. 398. ...

Biscuit

Biscuit, a kind of bread ma-nufactured by confectioners, of fine flour, eggs, sugar, and rose or orange water ; or of flour, eggs, and sugar, with aniseeds and citron-peel. Sea-Biscuit, a sort of h...

Bismuth

Bismuth, or Tin-glass, one of the semi-metals, of a reddish or light yellow colour, and a lamel-lated texture: it is moderately hard and brittle, so that it breaks under the hammer, and may even be re...

Great Bistort

Great Bistort, or Snakeweed ; the Polygonum bistorta, L. a native species of knot-grass, most plentiful on meadows and pastures, in the northern counties of England : it has a thick oblique root, abou...

Small Bistort

Small Bistort, Welch, or Alpine; the Polygonum.viviparum, L. is likewise an indigenous plant, which grows on the moorlands in several parts of Westmoreland and the North Riding of Yorkshire : it has a...

Bite

Bite, of a mad dog, an unfortunate accident which but too frequently happens in hot summers ; and is supposed to be occasioned chiefly by suffering that faithful animal to feed upon putrid meat, witho...

Bitter

Bitter, is a term applied to substances of a peculiar taste, and generally opposed to sweet; the principal of which are, the Gentian and Bis tort-roots, Hops, Lesser Centaury, Carduus, etc. Most bi...

Bitumens

Bitumens, are inflammable mineral bodies, not sulphureous, or only casually impregnated with sulphur. They are of various degrees of consistence, ' and appear, in the mineral kingdom, to correspond wi...

Black

Black, the darkest of colours, supposed to be owing to the absence of light, as most of the rays which fall on black substances are not reflected, but absorbed by them. There are many shades or var...

Black-Bird

Black-Bird, or Turdus merula, a specie* of the thrush. When young, its plumage is of a rusty black ; but at the age of one year, being the period of its full growth, its feathers acquire a deep glossy...

Black Cattle

Black Cattle, among graziers, denotes all the larger kinds of domestic animals which contribute to our support or convenience; such as oxen, cows, horses, etc. As these will be respectively treated of...

Black Canker

Black Canker is the name given by husbandmen to a caterpillar which commits great devastation among turnips. The best method of destroying these insects is, to turn a body of ducks into the fields inf...

Black Fly

Black Fly, an insect that at-tacks the seedling leaves of turnips, cabbages, and many otler vegetables. In summer, it may frequently be seen in swarms on the wing near the ground, search ing for, and ...

Black Land

Black Land, in agriculture, a term used to denote a peculiar kind of clayey soil, which in rainy weather appears of a dusky or blackish colour, though, when dry, it more resembles a pale grey, than? a...

Black Leather

Black Leather is that which, having passed through the hands of the currier, after being scored and rubbed three times on the grain side with copperas-water, acquires a black colour, instead of the ru...

Black-Legs

Black-Legs, a name given by the Leicestershire breeders to a disease incident to calves and sheep. It is a kind of gelatinous humour, which settles between the skin and flesh of the neck, and not unfr...

Black Tin

Black Tin, in mineralogy, a term given to tin-ore when it is ready to be melted into metal, after having been well stamped, washed, and dressed. It is taken up from the washing-troughs in the form of ...

Black Wadd

Black Wadd, in mineralogy is a kind of ore of manganese, remarkable for its property of taking fire, when mixed with a certain proportion of lintseed-oil. It is found in Derbyshire, and is a useful in...

Blackberry

Blackberry, the fruit of the common bramble, or Rubus fruticosus, L. - See Bramble. These berries, when eaten immoderately, and too frequently, are apt to produce the most violent effects, as...

Blacking

Blacking, in general, signifies a factitious black ; as lamp-black, shoe-black, etc. The common oil-blacking consists of ivory-black mixed with lintseed-oil. The shining blacking is made in var...

Bladder

Bladder, in anatomy, a thin membranous, expanded receptacle of some juice or humour secreted in the animal body. This term principally applies to the vessels in which the urine and bile are respective...

Bladder-Nut-Tree

Bladder-Nut-Tree, or the Staphylea, L. is a plant containing two species, the pinnala, indigenous in Britain, and the trifolia, or three-leaved bladder-nut, a native of Virginia. For the first, to whi...

Blain

Blain, in farriery, a distemper incident to horses and cattle, consisting of a tumor which grows on the root of the tongue, and swells to such a size as frequently to stop respiration. It is caused by...

Blanching

Blanching, the art or man-ner of rendering any tiling white-See Bleaching. The blanching of woollen stuffs is performed with soap, chalk, sulphur, etc. Silk is blanched with soap and sulphur ; and ...

Blanket

Blanket, an article of commerce so well known in domestic economy, that any definition of it would be superfluous. The best kind of blankets is manufactured at Witney, in Oxfordshire : their excell...

Blast

Blast, in agriculture and gardening, is a term synonimous with. blight, which see. That species of blasts called ure-dines, or fire-blasts, is supposed by Mr. Hales to originate from the solar rays...

Bleaching

Bleaching is the art of whitening linen cloth, thread, cotton, etc. In the present advanced state of the linen and cotton manufactures of Great Britain and Ireland, the art of bleaching is one of the ...

Bleeding

Bleeding, a term used to ex-- either a spontaneous, or artificial, discharge of blood : in the former case, it is by medical writers called hemorrhage; in the latter, ve-necection, or blood-letting, o...

Blend-Water

Blend-Water, also called more-hovgh, a distemper incident to black cattle, which proceeds father from the state of the animal's blood, from the yellows, or from the change of ground, which, if too har...

Blight

Blight, in husbandry, is a disease incident to plants, and affecting them in various degrees ; sometimes destroying only the leaves and blossoms, and frequently causing the whole plant to perish. B...

Blindness

Blindness, implies either a partial or total privation of sight, proceeding from some defect of the organs of vision, or an impaired 6tate of their functions. Hence it may be either total, partial, tr...

BLind-Worm

BLind-Worm (fragilis), or slow-vorm; a species of the Anguis, or snake. It is about a foot in length, and of the thickness of the little finger. Its name is derived from the slowness of its motion, an...

Blister

Blister, in medicine, signi fies either a thin bladder, containing a watery humour raised on the skin, or the application of vesica-tories to different parts of the body. With this intention, Spanish ...