cavity, termed the fluxing-bed, which is strewed with a mixture of finely-sifted ashes and sand, that are carefully compressed. A stratum of charcoal is then laid on; the smelted metal is gradually added; and, at the end of three or four days, the conversion is completed.

[For an account of the mode of making steel by cementation, see the Transactions of the Manchester Society, vol. 5; and for information on the subject generally, see TILLOCH'S Philosophical Magazine, and NICHOLSON'S Philosophical Journal, in both of which much interesting matter may be found.]

The best steel manufacured in Britain, is known under the name of cast-steel. It is prepared from the common blistered metal; which, being broken to pieces, is put into proper crucibles, with a flux; and, after the fusion is effected, the metal is cast into ingots, when it undergoes the operation of tilting, and is at length tempered, by repeated ignition and immersion in water.

In 1801, a Mr. EGGS obtained a patent for a new method of bending steel. After giving the necessary shape to the blade, spring, or other article, it is extended over a convex piece of iron, denominated a flat. The bent steel is next stricken repeatedly with an iron machine, resembling a chissel, that cuts into the former, and completes the bending; by which practice he conceives, that considerable labour will be saved in the manufacturing of springs, trusses and surgeons' instruments.

Rusty steel may be cleaned, by first anointing it with sweet-oil, which in the course of two or three days will soften the rust; after

wards wiping it dry with clean rags, and polishing the tarnished parts with PUMICE-STONE OF EMERY, by means of hard wood : but the most effectual composition for giving a high degree of lustre to steel, is a paste made of levigated blood-stone and spirit of wine.

STEEL-YARD, or STILYARD, is one of the most ancient machines for ascertaining the weight of bodies, by its counterpoise. It is alluded to in the Pentateuch, and to this day used by the Arabs, and all the asiatic nations. The Greek and Roman goldsmiths preferred it to the balance, which was the instrument used by the people.

The steel yard consists of a lever of unequal arms; and, in its most perfect form, is constructed on the principles of the usual balance; to which however it is greatly inferior, in point of minute accuracy. See BALANCE.

There is another species of patent steel-yard, consisting of an elastic spring, which is confined in a tube; thus serving by its expansion, as a substitute for the long arm, and pointing out the weight of substances, by marks made on the moveable perpendicular bar in its centre. It would be superfluous to enter into a detailed description of these portable machines : let it therefore suffice to observe, that such contrivance is not suffi ciently accurate to determine the difference of ounces or drams; though it may answer the purpose of weighing larger quantities; provided it be properly handled, and preserved from moisture, or rust.

STIRRUP, a semi-circular machine, manufactured of steel, plated iron, &c. serving to support the foot of the horseman: as it en

sudden cessation of pain; low vomiting, and a slight fever. The pulse, and great weakness, denote disorder often changes its place, that gangrene has taken place; but, and sometimes spreads through in less urgent cases, where no re- the whole alimentary canal, where markable changes happen for seve- it occasions vomiting or diarrhea. ral days, a more favourable event In most instances, it proceeds from may be expected; though, when acrid substances introduced into the affection proceeds from injuries the stomach, and from internal in other parts, or the swallowing causes, the nature of which has not of poisons, it generally terminates been hitherto discovered; though in death. it also frequently appears as a symptom of putrid fevers, and during convalescence in general.

these morbid productions being foreign to our purpose, we shall briefly state, that they probably originate from a deposition of certain particles of the blood, which cohere to any small body, they may find in their passage, thus forming the nucleus or basis. Hence we shall confine our attention to the practical treatment of this dreadful malady, in the instances before mentioned; and commence with the urinary stones, as being the most frequent. These are situated either in the kidnies, urinary ducts, bladder, or urethra.

Symptoms of the stone in the kidnies ....An obtuse pain about the loins; nausea and vomiting; small pieces of calcareous matter are discharged with the urine; but, if the concretion be settled in the bladder, an uneasiness will be felt at the end of the urinary passage, especially in emitting the water, which suddenly stops; or, it can be passed only when lying on the back: the urine is of various colours, and often tinged with blood; and, if the accumulation be of a considerable size, a fixed pain prevails about the neck of the bladder. More certain signs, however, for ascertaining the presence of a stone, are the following: 1. when the discharge of urine is accompanied with small pieces of such stony matter; and, 2. by sounding, which is performed, either by the introduction of the finger into the anus, or of the catheter into the bladder.

the people promotes its formation. These painful concretions have, likewise, been observed to be very common in the countries provided only with hard spring waters,which constitute the daily beverage of the inhabitants: they may also arise from the copious use of acids, and certain wines, for instance, Moselle and Rhenish, or Old Hock; not less than from cheese, and other gross aliment. Farther, wellattested instances have occurred, in which this excruciating disorder was occasioned by the shot swallowed with game, and even by the dust from mill-stones, mixed with the flour.

Causes...This distressing affliction may be induced by a great variety of circumstances, especially by improper articles of diet (see GRAVEL): though, in some countries, it is endemial, where a peculiar disposition in the habits of

During the passage of stones from the kidnies into the bladder, the patient is afflicted with pain, vomiting, &c. which form the paroxysm of the gravel and store; being sometimes even attended with inflammation (see KIDNIES). In the bladder,they are mostly productive of pain; strangury; bloody urine; inflammation; though in some instances they have remained in a dormant state for a considerable time; and, unless removed by proper means, death closes the scene.

Cure:.....An endless variety of remedies, under the name of ithontriptics, have been recom

mended, for dissolving the stone; but as an account of all these pretended specifics would be equally tedious and useless, we shall only mention such as appear best adapted to the purpose. A preparation, which formerly stood in great repute, is the caustic ley, which, however, requires mucilaginous or gelatinous drink as a vehicle: thus, it was administered with great secrecy by an empiric of the name of CHITTICK, to whom the

[Jelly made of black-berries, has obtained much credit in the United States for relieving this painful complaint. A mixture of the juices of common garden leeks, and horse mint, taken every day, has been also said in our papers, to have effected a cure in Virginia, in a clergyman: but it is not known what plant was used under the name of horse mint, as there are several, bearing that appellation. The intentions of the humane publisher are therefore entirely defeated; and hence the importance of fixing the true botanical name to a plant, when speaking of its virtues.]

patients sent a vessel containing so be assisted by the use of mild veal-broth, which he returned with diuretics. the medicine mixed in the liquor, and secured by a lock: for this exposition we are indebted to Mr. BLACKRIE. It is evident,that great caution is requisite in the dose of so active a medicine. Considerable benefit has been derived from the use of water impregnated with fixed air, as directed by Dr. FALCONER....An infusion of the seeds of wild carrot (Daucus sylvestris. L.) sweetened with honey, is a simple and much esteemed remedy....The late Dr. DE HAEN, recommended the Bear-whortleberry (Arbutus Uva ursi, L.) as a most efficacious remedy for the stone: it may be taken in doses of from one scruple to half a dram in powder, twice or three times a day; or, in the form of an infusion thus prepared: Take of bearwhortleberry leaves three drams, and boiling water one pint: after simmering for one or two hours, the liquor should be strained: and from two to three table-spoonfuls may be given twice or three times a day....Lime-water has likewise proved beneficial in this complaint, both when taken internally, and injected into the bladder.... Another simple remedy has been prescribed with great success by Dr. MACBRIDE thirty berries of raw coffee ought to be boiled in a quart of pure water, till it acquire a deep greenish colour; of this liquor about half a pint is to be taken, morning and evening, with 10 drops of sweet spirit of nitre: during such course, the bowels should be occasionally opened, by a dose of castor oil. Similar attention ought to be paid, when any of the other remedies are administered; and their operation may al

In their diet, patients should avoid coarse and heavy provisions, such as salted, dried, or smoked animal food, especially substances of an oily nature, and all highseasoned dishes: farther, red-port, Rhenish, and Moselle wines, are uncommonly pernicious; as they naturally promote the accumulation of stones: the beverage ought, therefore, to consist of cooling diluents, in which some mucilage of gum arabic or tragacanth is dissolved....Symptoms of violent pain may be relieved by emollient clysters with opium.

Should, however, all endeavours of dissolving the stony concretion prove abortive, recourse must be had to an operation, as the only eventual means of extirpating the disease. If the stone should be retained in the urinary passage, speedy application must be made to a professional man; because delay, or neglect, cannot fail to increase the evil.

GALL-STONES, or concretions formed in the biliary ducts, are of