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# Domestic Encyclopædia (1802)/Intoxication

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Edition of 1802.
​INTOXICATION is a term expressing that depravity of human nature, which requires no farther explanation, as it is but too often practised both by the vulgar, and those whose professions lead us to expect a very different conduct.
Having already exposed the moral turpitude of Drunkenness, under that article, we shall now point out a few of the consequences that necessarily result from the brutal indulgence in that odious vice.
The state of intoxication greatly resembles that of an incipient palsy or apoplexy. Inebriated persons stagger in all directions; they stammer; every thing appears double; their tongue is in a manner paralytic, and they are deprived of the faculty of speech. This imbecility extends to the mind, which is thus rendered totally incapable of reflection. As the brain is overcharged with blood, the vessels pressing on that part are very liable to burst, from the least accidental concussion; and the unfortunate victim of such folly may expire, while he remains insensible of his danger. Hence he ought to be conveyed into a cool rather than warm room, and placed between blankets, with his head considerably raised; but the legs should be in a pendent situaton, and the feet bathed in lukewarm water. Every tight ligature of the shirt, waistband, garter, &c. must be immediately relaxed, and diluent drinks, such as barley or rice-water, plentifully given, though in small portions. Next, a gentle emetic is to be introduced, and the throat stimulated with a feather dipped in oil: after vomiting, the patient generally falls into a profound sleep, from which he awakes weak, trembling, and affected with a violent heart-burn, and acidity of the stomach; especially if wine has been the favourite liquor. To remove the latter complaint, calcined magnesia may be taken with advantage, and afterwards moderate draughts of negus, or coffee. Plethoric individuals, however, will better consult their health, by drinking cold water only, which is one of the most salutary restoratives: and during the fit of intoxication, it will sometimes be necessary to open a vein; an expedient which may rescue such persons from the brink of destruction. But, if they have been inebriated by ardent liquors, so that a vapour or smoke proceeds from their mouths, equal quantities of milk and barley-water ought to be instantly poured in; or, where these liquids could not be easily procured, the fresh urine of a healthy subject has ​been found to afford an excellent substitute. Nor can there be any reasonable objection against this remedy, in cases of a desperate and degrading nature.
Instead of expatiating on the long train of miseries and painful disorders with which habitual intoxication is sooner or later attended, and of which we treat in the alphabetical order of human maladies, we shall conclude in the words of the philosophic Shakespeare, who very pertinently remarks, that "Drink provokes or stimulates the desire, but it takes away the performance."
# Domestic Encyclopædia (1802)/Ipecacuanha

Edition of 1802.
​IPECACUANHA, a medicinal root imported from the West Indies. There are three kinds distinguished by the eye, namely, the ash-coloured, or grey, brown, and white; but the first of these is justly preferred; for it is more efficacious than the white, and less violent in its operation than the brown sort.
The ash-coloured ipecacuanha, as imported from Peru, is a small wrinkled root, bent and contorted into a great variety of figures; its cortical part is compact, brittle, and on breaking, presents a smooth, resinous surface; it has little smell, but a somewhat bitter and sub-acrid taste, so that it covers the tongue with a kind of mucilage.
According to Geoffroy, Neumann, Dale, and Sir Hans Sloane, the roots of a kind of dog's bane (apocynum), are frequently substituted for the genuine ipecacuanha, and have in various instances produced fatal etfects. But, if the above-mentioned charaders be attended to, accidents of a similar nature may easily be obviated.
Ipecacuanha is one of the safest and mildest emetics, and possesses this peculiar advantage, that it passes off by the skin or bowels, if it should not operate by vomiting. In dysenteries, it is almost a specific, and often contributes to perform a cure in a very few days. When given in powder, its action is more certain than in any other form: hence it is now employed in many diseases, where full vomiting is indicated; for which purpose from 15 to 25 grains are prescribed for a full dose. It is also beneficially administered in very small doses, so as neither to operate by vomiting, purging, nor sweating; for instance, a third or fourth part of a grain, to be taken every half-hour or oftener, with a view to vellicate the intestinal canal, and by its nauseating effect, to give a different tone to the action of the stomach and bowels. Thus, it is recommended to be given in the paroxysm of spasmodic asthma, as well as in obstinate coughs; and a dose of 3 or 4 grains every morning, in chronical asthmatic cases.
# Domestic Encyclopædia (1802)/Jack

Edition of 1802.
Although numerous accidents almost daily happen in using the common jacks, for want of a contrivance to prevent the machine from taking a retrograde course, if the weight should, from any circumstance, overbalance the power, no attempts have till lately been made, to protect the workmen on such occasions. In order, therefore, to supply this deficiency in mechanics, as far as our opportunities will admit, we offer the annexed cut to the consideration of those readers who are not yet acquainted with the improvement it represents.
​This machine was, in the year 1794, presented to the Society for the Encouragement of Arts, &c. by Mr. Mocock, of Southwark, for which he was rewarded with a premium of 20 guineas.
Description of the Cut of Mr. Mocock's Improved Machine for raising large weights.
A A, are the double handles of the winch.
B, represents the large toothed wheel, in which the pinion on the axis C works.
D, a ratchet-wheel.
E, the click, or pall, which falls into the teeth of the ratchet, and thus prevents the machine from running back, in case the weight should at any time overcome the power.
F, the rack, as appears in jacks of the common construction.
From a comparison of Mr. Mocock's jack with those in common use, the former differs from the latter only in one respect; namely, that, in the improved machine, a pall, or chick, and ratchet, are applied in such a manner as to stop the machine in the case above mentioned, and thus to prevent those melancholy accidents which frequently occur, especially on board of ships engaged in action; when, from inattention, or neglect in fixing the hooks, or from any other cause, the common jacks fail: and, as the difference in its mechanism is not material, the improvement may be easily applied to the instruments already manufactured.
# Domestic Encyclopædia (1802)/Ivory

Edition of 1802.
​IVORY, the tooth or tusk of an elephant, growing on each side of his trunk, and somewhat resembling the shape of a horn.
Ivory is much esteemed for its remarkable whiteness, its polish, and beautiful grain. Dioscorides asserts, that if this substance be boiled with the root of mandragoras, for six hours, it may be rendered soft and flexible. By steeping small pieces of ivory in vinegar, or any other acid, they become ductile, and may be preserved in that state for a considerable time, by keeping them in common water. This hard substance may also be softened and whitened, by immersing it in a hot decoction made of red sage leaves, in double-distilled white-wine vinegar, with the addition of a little quick-lime. For removing spots, the ivory should be laid in unslacked lime, and a small portion of water poured on it, lest the heat be too intense, and the ivory scale, or become brittle. Others discharge the stains by merely steeping it for some time in strong lime-water.
Ivory may be dyed green, either in a solution of copper or verdigrease in aqua-fortis; or by grinding together two parts of verdigrease and one of sal ammoniac, and dissolving them in strong white-wine vinegar. Farther, by employing four ounces of aqua regia, and one ounce of sal ammoniac, a fine purple colour will be the result.
Ivory, bone, horn, and other solid parts of animals, may be stained yellow, by previously boiling them in a solution of one pound of alum in two quarts of water; then immersing them for half an hour in a liquor prepared by boiling half a pound of turmeric in a gallon of water, till it be reduced to three quarts, and afterwards plunging the coloured substance into alum water.—All bony matters may also be stained blue: they are first to be tinged with green, then dipped in a strong and hot solution of pearl ashes.—See also Bones, Tortoise-shell, and Wood.
Ivory may be prepared as a ground for miniature-painting, by cleansing the leaves or plates, and rubbing them over with the juice of garlic. This method is preferably recommended for removing its greasy quality, which prevents the colours from fixing on the ground, and is said to be more useful than either soap or ox-gall.
With respect to the medicinal properties of ivory, its shavings, like those of Hartshorn, may, by boiling, be converted into a jelly, and possess similar restorative virtues.
# Domestic Encyclopædia (1802)/Jack-daw

Edition of 1802.
​JACK-DAW, or Corvus monedula, L. a notorious bird, that is a native of Britain. It breeds in steeples, old castles, and on lofty rocks, where the females deposit five or six eggs.
The jack-daw is a gregarious bird, feeding on insects, seeds, and grain. It is equally mischievous in the fields as well as in the gardens, and is so prone to stealing, that it carries away more than is necessary for its subsistence. Hence various methods have been contrived for taking this depredrator: one of the most effectual is that practised in some parts of England, and which is so ingenious, that it deserves to be more generally known.
A stake, about five feet long, is first driven firmly into the ground; the upper point is previously made so sharp that no bird can possibly settle on it. Within a foot of the top is bored a hole, three quarters of an inch in diameter, through which a stick is put, about eight inches in length. A horse-hair noose is next fixed to a thin wand made of hazel, which is passed through the hole: the remainder being left open beneath the transverse stick. The other end of the hazel rod is then introduced into another hole in the stake near the ground, where it is fastened. The stake should now be placed in a situation which is frequented by the bird in quest of food, when he will consequently be induced to alight on it; but, on finding the point too sharp, he will probably settle on the little transverse stick: as this sinks with his weight, his leg will be effectually secured in the noose.
# Domestic Encyclopædia (1802)/Mezereon

Edition of 1802.
​MEZEREON, Spurge-olive, Spurge-flax, or Dwarf-bay, Daphne Mezereum, L. an indigenous low shrub, growing in woods and shady places, and flowering in the month of February or March. When cultivated in gardens, it attains, in a rich soil, the height of sixteen feet.
The whole of this plant is so corrosive, that six of its berries are said to be sufficient to kill a wolf.—An ointment prepared from its bark or berries, has been advantageously apphed to foul or ill-conditioned ulcers. When chewed, its root occasions ulcerations, and considerable irritation in the throat; but is very serviceable in removing difficulty of swallowing; and Dr. Withering (Bot. Arr. vol. ii. p. 377), states, that a woman who had been unable to swallow any solids, and liquids very imperfectly, for three years betore, was effectually cured in two months, and enabled to take any food without difficulty, by chewing a thin slice of the root of mezereon, as often as she could support its irritating effects.—On sudden emergencies, the root of the Spurge-olive, scraped and applied to the surface of the ​skin, affords an efficacious substitute for the Spnnish-fly, as a blister which speedily operates:—it may also be applied in the form of issues.
Dambourney obtained from the stalks and leaves of the mezereon, a fine vigogne dye; and the stalks, alone, imparted a beautiful gold-brown shade to wool, previously dipped in a diluted solution ot bismuth.—From the ripe berries of this plant, an excellent red lake is prepared by painters.
# Domestic Encyclopædia (1802)/Mica

Edition of 1802.
​MICA, Muscovy-glass, Glimmer, or Glist, a genus of magnesian earths, of which there are two species; viz.
1. The colorata martialis, coloured martial glimmer, of which there are many varieties, distinguished by their brown, black, semi-transparent blue, and green shades: they are found chiefly in Lapland, Sweden, and other northern parts of Europe.
2. The alba, pure or colourless mica, which contains several varieties, that are found in Siberia and Sweden, and are perfectly transparent; whence it has obtained the name of Muscovy-glass.
Both species consist of thin glittering pieces, that are divisible into leaves, or plates; which, when exposed to a moderate heat, become brittle; but, if placed in a strong furnace, they curl or crumple, and are with difficulty reducible into glass. Mica, however, melts easily with borax, by the aid of which it may be converted into glass, with a blow-pipe.
The broad and colourless mica is used in Russia, as a substitute for glass, to which it is preferable; because it resists the shock on the explosion of a cannon.
# Domestic Encyclopædia (1802)/Microscope

Edition of 1802.
​MICROSCOPE, an optical instrument, consisting of lenses or mirrors, by means of which, small objects appear of a larger size, than they naturally are to the naked eye.
This valuable instrument, though not entirely unknown to the ancients, was re-invented and made public in the early part of the 17th century: it has, since that period, received continual improvements from various ingenious philosophers and artists, among whom the names of Leeuwenhoek, Wilson, Hook, the Adams's, Lieberkuhn, Barker, Grey, Martin, Di Torre, and Dr. Smith, deserve to be gratefully recorded.
Microscopes are of two sorts, single and double. The former consist in general of one lens or mirror; but, if a greater number be employed, they only serve to throw additional light upon the object, without farther enlarging its image. Double or compound microscopes are those in which the image of an object is composed of several lenses or mirrors.
The utility of microscopes is very extensive, both to the naturalist and the artist: hence the invention of them must be regarded as one of the greatest efforts of human ingenuity. It is true, they do not contribute in any essential manner to the happiness of mankind; but they serve to unfold the wonders of Nature, and thus insensibly raise the mind to the contemplation of that Great Being, whose works, however minute and apparently insignificant, uniformly evince the highest skill and most perfect symmetry.
# Domestic Encyclopædia (1802)/Midwifery

Edition of 1802.
​MIDWIFERY, or the obstetrical art, a branch of medicine which ​requires no further definition.—In most countries of Europe, and in other parts of the globe, it is practised by women; for it comprehends their management both before and after delivery, as well as the treatment of the child during the earliest period of life.
Although we have, in a preceding part of this Encyclopædia, referred the reader to the present article, with respect to after-birth, yet we cannot, conformably to our plan, enter minutely on the subject. It deserves, however, to be remarked, that every degree of anxiety, or impatient conduct, in midwives and nurses, is highly reprehensible on such occasions; for Nature rarely fails to perform her kind offices to the mother as well as to the infant. Hence it will be found from experience, that those accoucheurs are uniformly the most successful in the exercise of their profession, who possess a due share of knowledge of the human constitution, together with a philosophical coolness to resist the solicitous applications made by timorous, and often mischievous relations.—On the whole, we cannot omit this opportunity of expressing our conviction of the benefits which society has already derived from professional accoucheurs; and, if the lower classes are still inclined to employ their favourite midwives, we trust the day is not far distant, when such persons will be subjected to a rigorous examination of their talents, and qualifications to undertake an office, equailly important and fraught with responsibility.—We have ventured to express these sentiments, neither with a view to decry the propriety of employing women (who, if possessed of equal skill and information, certainly deserve the preference) in this primary department of the healing art; nor is it our intention indiscriminately to introduce into families an inexperienced young accoucheur, instead of a grave and expert old matron. The former would be an encroachment on female privilege; while the latter might prove a rash and dangerous measure.
# Domestic Encyclopædia (1802)/Milfoil

Edition of 1802.
​Milfoil. See Common Yarrow.
# Domestic Encyclopædia (1802)/Miliary Fever

Edition of 1802.
​MILIARY FEVER, or Miliaria, a disease which affects both sexes, at every age, but particularly recluse and sedentary women. It is accompanied with continued fever, anxiety, a sensation of punctures in the skin, and profuse unctuous sweats.
Causes.—Excessive watching; the indulgence of the more violent passions; suppression of the natural discharges, as also too great evacuations; eating of unripe fruit, and similar pernicious trash; a weak watery diet, and impure or putrid water. It is, in general, a primary disease, though it is sometimes consequent on quartan and puerperal fevers.
Peculiarities.—The miliary fever, though not contagious, is an epidemic disease, and sometimes a critical symptom in the autumnal putrid fever. It generally commences its attack with a cold shivering, which is succeeded by intense heat, pain in the head and loins, oppression on the breast, and difficulty of breathing. An itching and prickling sensation is felt in the skin, which, between the seventh and fourteenth days, is covered with numerous small, red, and distinct pimples, that appear first on the neck and chest, and gradually spread over the whole body, excepting the face. This eruption is usually preceded by profuse sweating; and, in the course of two or three days, the tops of the pimples are filled with small white vesicles, which speedily disappear. In the course of a few days, the pustules assume a yellowish cast, and at length totally vanish, leaving the skin covered with branny or mealy scales.
Cure.—In this, as in all other eruptive fevers, the chief point is, to prevent the pustules from striking inwards; as the patient is then in the most imminent danger. In the first period of the disease, blood-letting will, in general, be necessary; and, if the eruption appear and disappear, repeated small blisters may be advantageously applied. It will likewise be advisable to administer, frequently, gentle laxatives; but, if the patient be in a languid state, and the bowels become regular, the liberal use of Peruvian bark will essentially contribute to his recovery. During the whole progress of this fever, he ought to be kept uniformly cool; his diet also should be cooling and nutritious, and adapted to his strength and constitution. Lastly, as soon as he is able to encounter the air, gentle and daily exercise will be attended with the best effects.
# Domestic Encyclopædia (1802)/Metal

Edition of 1802.
​METAL, signifies a ponderous, opaque body, which, in general, is fusible by fire; but, when cold, coagulates and concretes into a solid mass, that is capable of being distended under the hammer.—Metals are distinguished by their peculiar brightness, perfect opacity, and great weight: the lightest of them being seven, and the heaviest upwards of nineteen times more ponderous than an equal bulk of water.
Naturalists have discovered twenty-one metallic substances, which essentially differ from each other: they are generally divided into perfect or entire, and into imperfect or semi-metals. A more accurate classification, however, is that of ductile or malleable, the parts of which may be displaced by compression, without being divested of their cohesion; and of fragile, or brittle, namely, such as do not admit of being stretched or extended. To the former class belong, gold, silver, platina, lead, copper, mercury, iron, and tin: of the latter are, zinc, bismuth, arsenic, cobalt, antimony, nickel, molybdæna, tellurium, manganese, wolfram, chrome, titanium, and uranium.—Consistently with the plan of our work, we shall describe only the native, and the more important foreign metals, of which the reader will find a concise account in their alphabetical series, interspersed with such facts, as may tend more fully to display their useful properties.
# Domestic Encyclopædia (1802)/Metallic, pointed substances

Edition of 1802.
​METALLIC, pointed substances are often inadvertently swallowed by children and adults:—in such cases it will be necessary to take large draughts of vinegar, lemon-juice, or other vegetable acids, in order to blunt the points of iron, brass, copper, and other fragments or pins; but never to venture on an emetic. If the metallic bodies introduced by the mouth, have been of a round form, or if they happen to be detained within the Gullet, we refer the reader to that article.
# Domestic Encyclopædia (1802)/Metheglin

Edition of 1802.
​Metheglin. See Mead.