wounded vessels, it is advantageously employed as a styptic; often preventing the effusion of blood more effectually than the puff-ball or AGARIC....When burnt and pulverized, it has been successfully administered internally, in scrophulous complaints, and cutaneous diseases, in doses of one scruple and upwards it is also considered as a specific, on account of its efficacy in removing the glandular swelling of the neck, known under the name of bronchocele..... See WEN. SPOON WORT. See SCURVYGRASS, the English. corporated; afterwards washing the stain with pure water, and lastly, smoothening it with a piece of white cloth, or flannel, in the direction of the nap :....to remove ink from silk stuffs, it will be advisable to apply strong distilled vinegar, and wormwood-ashes, to the blotted part, which ought to be well rubbed with these matters,and then cleansed with soap-water. stand, may be almost effectually Red-port on linen, we undercleared, by pouring warm milk on the stained parts, while they are in a wet state.....another, and perhaps more successful, method, is that of dropping the tallow from a candle on such wine-marks before they are dry; and suffering them to remain till the cloth is sent to the laundry; because ink-spots may, in this simple manner, be removed from linen. SPOTS, are marks or stains accidentally occurring on linen, woollen, cotton, silk, or other stuffs.... Under the bead of CLOTH, we have already communicated several methods of discharging spots from woollen-cloth: hence we shall, in this place, add another remedy which may be easily prepared; though we have had no experience of its effects......Dissolve two ounces of pure pearl-ash in a quart of spring water, and add to this solution a lemon cut in small slices. Let the whole be properly mixed, and kept in a warm place for 24 hours; when the liquor should be strained, and the clear fluid decanted for use. It is asserted, that this compound, when poured on the stained part, instantaneously removes all spots, Chemistry, prefers the oxalic acid, whether they arise from grease, (acid of sorrel) citric, (of lemon) pitch, or oil; and, as soon as they and tartareous acid, which may be disappear, the cloth must be wash- applied to the most delicate fabrics [To take ink-spots out of linen.... Moisten the place with undiluted marine acid, (spirit of salt ;) in about 2 or 3 minutes, wash the linen well in cold water....This is dangerous, if continued too long, but it may be managed with care; if the acid be diluted with water, it is apt to burn. ed (PORTABLE.) Ink-spots be discharged by rubbing them on woollen-cloth may Another....Rub the spot with a piece of lemon, or squeeze lemon juice upon it, and then wash it in warm water. Mr. HENRY, in his Epitome of lutions discharge, from paper, written but not printed ink.] SPRAIN, denotes an extension with a composition, made of the of the muscles, ligaments, and tenwhite of a new-laid egg, and a few dons, without dislocation: it genedrops of oil of vitriol, properly in- rally proceeds from external inju ry; and is attended with pain, swelling, and inflammation. In treating this local affection, the first object should be, to check the swelling, and prevent the inflammatory symptoms. For this purpose, cold, astringent fomentations with water, ice, vinegar, &c. or, in a very recent case, camphorated spirit of wine, must be applied as speedily as possible: to relieve pain, where it is considerable, a few drops of laudanum may be added to the lotion....The regimen recommended under the article INFLAMMATION, will here likewise be proper....During, and for some time after, this treatment, the sprained part should be kept in a state of rest and relaxation. SPRING, a fountain, or source, whence water spontaneously rises from the bowels of the earth. Various conjectures have been formed by naturalists, concerning the origin of springs; but, consistently with our limits, we shall only observe, that the most plausible theory appears to be that of Dr. HALLEY, who supposes them to originate from the rain and snow waters; which,penetrating through the soil, at length settle in the fissures of the earth, and form fountains or springs. As water is indispensable to the health and convenience of mankind, many expedients have been devised, with a view to ascertain the particular spots, whence a supply might be obtained: we shall, therefore, state a few indications, or land-marks, by which that necessary article may be dis covered. 1. As all mountains are colder in proportion to their height, the evening mist descends on them, particularly in damp situations, much sooner than on the vallies, and thus may indicate the existence of springs. 2. Another observation is suggested by Dr. DARWIN, in order to determine the existence of subterraneous springs, in rimy mornings....moist earth conducting heat better than dry soil, the rime will be dissolved more speedily on those spots which are moistened by springs under ground, than on the adjacent parts. Lastly, the rise of these natural fountains may be discovered during the winter, in wet ditches, by the growing of brook-lime, watercresses, or similar aquatic plants: for such vegetables do not thrive in the ditches that become dry in the summer. And Dr. DARWIN remarks, that when those ditches which contain springs, are nearly dry, the direction of the current may be ascertained by the point, to which the leaves of the aquatic plants may turn, with as great a degree of certainty as can be effected by a level. SPRING-GRASS, the SWEETSCENTED, or VERNAL-GRASS, Anthoxanthum odoratum, L. an indigenous perennial, growing in meadows and pastures; flowering in the months of May and June..... This is one of the earliest British pasture-grasses, and occasions the delicate flavour perceptible in newly-made hay. It is eagerly eaten by cows, horses, goats, and sheep; on account of its aromatic taste, and juicy, nutritive nature.....Mr. SWAYNE, however, observes, that it abounds in wet lands, particularly on peat-bogs; and that it appears to be of little consequence; as it is neither very productive to the farmer, nor palatable to cattle, ...Nevertheless,other agriculturists are of a different opinion; and Mr. the liquor bears a froth, then SOLE (Letters and Papers of the put the mixture into a cask, and Bath and West of England Society, fill it with eight gallons of water, vol. ix.) conceives that the vernal- shaking it well; set it by for two grass would be an useful addition or three days, to ferment, with to meadows, by sowing it in the the bung open; when sufficientproportion of one-eighth. This ju- ly worked, bung the cask close, dicious advice, every practical hus- and place it in a cool cellar, and bandman will be induced to adopt; in 24 hours it will be fit for use.... as it is a well-known fact, that this If intended for bottling, let the fragrant herb not only remarkably cask stand undisturbed three days spreads, and increases in its bushy before it is drawn off: for a second stalks, when cultivated in favoura- brewing, the sediment remaining ble situations, but it also effectu- in the cask, may be used instead ally checks the growth of moss, in of yeast. If well-water be used, your meadows......It is farther re- it should be a little warmed. markable, that the root of this moss possesses a strong odour, resembling that of musk....The dried blossoms are, on the Continent, employed for imparting an agreeable flavour to snuff and tobacco. [See GRASS.] The above receipt, the Editor can recommend from experience. But he must beg, that attention be paid to every part of the process; that the cask be clean, the corks sound, and the bottles strong.............. The purity of the essence of spruce also, must be attended to, as that article is often greatly adulterated.] SPRUCE-BEER, a kind of dietdrink, which is prepared in the following manner: Eight gallons of water are first poured into a cask, Spruce-beer has a peculiar flaor other vessel; and a similar vour, which renders it disagreeaquantity of boiling water is added; ble to the palate of many persons; 16 pounds of molasses are next it is, however, a most powerful mixed, together with a few table- antiscorbutic, and affords a wholespoonfuls of the essence of spruce some beverage, particularly during (which is obtained from the cones the summer; as it does not affect of the spruce-fur.) Half a pint of the weakest stomach. sweet yeast must now be put in; and the whole, after being well stirred, should be placed in a temperate room, for a few days, till the fermentation ceases. The liquor may then be bottled; and, in the course of a fortnight, it will be fit for use. SPRUCE-FIR. See FIR. SPUR, a disease to which corn is subject....See CORN and RYE. SPURGE, or Euphorbia, L. a genus of plants, comprehending 110 species; 12 being natives of Britain; the principal of which are the following: [Another.....To a four ounce pot of essence of spruce, add 1. The characias, or Red Spurge, three quarts of molasses, two grows in woods and hedges, gallons of warm rain or soft- where it flowers in the month of water, and half a pint of good June. The pulverized leaves of yeast. Stir the whole well, till this plant, if taken in doses of from 15 to 25 grains, operate as a brisk which appear in the early spring, purgative....its juice, like that of and sometimes in the winter, this all the other species of the spurge, evergreen is cultivated in shrubis so extremly acrid, that it ulce- berries; but it deserves to be rerates every part of the body, with marked that its black berries, which it comes in contact. Hence, though eagerly eaten by pheait is never used internally....but, sants, prove mortal food to man, a single drop put into the cavity and all the mammillary animals. of an aching tooth, is said to have SPURGE-OLIVE. See MEZEremoved the pain, and at the same time destroyed the nerve. This SPURREY, or Spergula, L. a corrosive liquid, however, may, ac- genus of plants comprising 5 specording to Dr. WITHERING, be cies; three being natives of Briapplied with safety to warts and tain. The principal of these is the corns; as it eradicates them in a arvensis, or Corn Spurrey, which very short time. 2. The helioscopia, or Sunspurge. See WARTWORT. 3. The Cyparissias, or CYPRUS SPURGE, grows in dry woods (at Enville, in Staffordshire), where its yellow flowers blow in May and June....Goats are exceedingly partial to this herb; and its seeds afford grateful food to pigeons.... The beautiful caterpillar, which is changed into the Spurge-butterfly, derives its nourishment from the leaves of this species.....[See EuPHORBIUM.] REON. grows in corn-fields, and sandy situations; flowers from July to September. This vegetable is eaten by horses, sheep, goats, and hogs; but is, according to WITHERING, refused by cows. BECHSTEIN, FUNKE, and other naturalists, however, informs us that the corn-spurrey is not only devoured with avidity by all cattle, but is also conducive to their health, while it remarkably tends to increase the milk of cows, and to fatten sheep. Hence this weed is industriously cultivated in Flanders; because it SPURGE-FLAX. See MEZEREON. is so far superior to other pastureSPURGE-LAUREL, or LAU- grasses, that it continues green till REL MEZEREON, Daphine Laure- a late period of autumn, and often ola, L. an indigenous shrub, found throughout the winter. Its seeds in woods and hedges, principally are eagerly swallowed by poultry, in the county of York, where it and afford on expression a good flowers in March and April. The lamp-oil: nay, the flour obtained whole of this vegetable, especially from them, when mixed with that the bark of the root, is very acrid: of wheat or rye, produces wholeit has been employed with success some bread, for which purpose, it in rheumatic fevers,operating pow- is often used in Norway and Gotherfully as a purgative. It is like- land. wise an excellent vermifuge; but, SQUILL, the COMMON, or SEAas it possesses great acrimony, ONION, Scilla maritima, L. an exit ought never to be administered otic plant, growing on the sandy without medical advice, and in shores of the Levant, especially on small doses, which should not ex- those of Spain, and Portugal, ceed ten grains. On account of its whence considerable quantities of elegant green and yellow flowers, its roots are annually imported.... The best sea-onions ought to be from the object to be investigated, sound, fresh, and to contain a vis- in order that they may be enabled cous juice they are nauseous, bit- to behold it more distinctly....Farter, and, if much handled, are so ther, it often proceeds from weakacrid as to ulcerate the skin. ness, or defect of either eye, so The squill is a powerful stimu- that both cannot be mutually emlant, promoting the discharge of ployed. Besides, it may be conseurine; and, if the patient be kept quent on affections of the brain, warm, a profuse perspiration. It epilepsy, terror, and defluxions of is chiefly employed, in cases, where rheumatic humours. the organs of respiration are clogged, or oppressed with mucus .... when combined with nitre in the proportion of from 4 to 10 grains of the dried root, with a double quantity of saltpetre, it has been greatly extolled for its efficacy in dropsical swellings, and inflammations of the kidnies. If the squill be taken in a large dose, it operates as an emetic; and, in some persons, as a purgative. It is often prescribed in the form of pills; though, when mixed with honey into an OXYMEL, it affords an useful medicine for obstinate coughs....-The roots of the sea-onion pay, on importation, the duty of 2s. 9d. per lb. SQUINANCY-BERRIES. See CURRANT, the Black. The method of cure to be adopted in this unpleasant distortion, varies according to the cause. Thus, in children, and in cases of weakness of the eyes, it may be remedied by mechanical contrivances. Hence, when there is no organic defect in either eye, which is frequently the case with persons who squint from a depraved habit of moving their eyes, the disease may often be cured. Dr. DARWIN remarks (Philosophical Transactions, vol. 68), that in all the squinting people he had occasion to attend, one eye was less perfect than the other: these patients are, in his opinion, certainly curable, by covering the best eye many hours in the day; as, by a more frequent use of the weak eye, it not only acquires SQUINTING, or Strabismus, a habit of turning to the objects an affection of the eyes, occasioned which the patient wishes to see, by the optic axis not converging; but gains at the same time, a more in consequence of which, the or- distinct vision: in both these resgans of sight appear distorted. pects, the better eye is under some Improper habits frequently in- disadvantage, which also facilitates duce this defect, while the eye and the cure. This ingenious physiits muscles are perfect; for instance, cian relates, in the same paper, a in children, who accustom them- remarkable case of a boy, then five selves to view different things at years old (now a reputable Engone time; or, who are placed ob- lish clergyman at Edinburgh), who liquely towards any object that has the misfortune of viewing may attract their attention. Ano- every object with one eye only at ther cause is mal-conformation of a time. Dr. D. directed a paper the retina, or such parts as serve to gnomon to be made, and affixed to convey impressions to the point of a cap; and, when this artificial vision; so that persons thus situ- nose was placed over the patient's ated, are obliged to turn the eye real nose, so as to project an inch VOL. Y. F |