Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1804-02-29
4 NEW AN5 pRAC7ICAL WORK.
A Proposal by William Y. Birch. and Abraham
Of RI, C;tv Oc p,;i,Ioi.,,;,

y
L OR a DICTIONARY OF FACTS, AND
USEFUL KNOWLEDGE containing con-
else view OF the latest Discoveries Inventions and
Improvements, chiefly applicable 10 rural and do
mestic economy. Together with descriptions of
the most interesting objects of Nature and Arr;
the History OF Men and Animals in a state of
Health or Disease; and practical hin,s respe cling
the Arts and Manufactures, both familiar and
commercial. illustrated with numerous engray-
ings and cuts
BY A. f. NJ. WHICH, NJ. D.
Author of the Lectures o. Diet aud Regimen, &c.
FirSt imyicdn Edition.
With additions applicable to the present situation
of the United States.
BY JAMES MEASE, NJ. d.
Fellow of the American Philosophical Society,
ard Corresponding Member of the Literary and
Philosophical Societv of Manchester.
70 TIE PUBLIC
rs the practical tendency OF The work here an
nouuced, must be evident from the preceding con-
tents, its peculiar scarcely requires further
explanation.
When we consderth he natural condition Of man,
the obleGt of his pursuits become manifest and de-
fined. To live with satisfaction to himself and o.
theirs to procure rs many comforts OF life as are
Consistent with MS mental and bodily constitution,
and to avert impending danger; or in other words
to preserve himself from the injurious attacks of
external agents, are nearly the whole ofthe prac-
teal part ofhumaniife. The present work being
exclusively devoted 70 the departments of health
and general economy, subject could with pro-
priety be introduced, which had i reference TO
ethics or morals, TO metaphysics or the abstract
professional sciences.
In order 10 unite conciscness with general util-
ity, the theoretical or speculative part OF every in
vention, discovery or. Improvement, forms but
small portion of the Domestic encyclopedia; be-
cause the rationale, elementary principles, are
only inserted in those Instances where the subIe9
cannot be sufficiently understood without Them
And the alphabetical form possesses many adj
vantages over the systematic division or subdivi-
sion Of articles, it has in the present case been
preferred as more eligible FOR i popular work.
ltw2ibe easily conceived, thar the subjects treat
ed oP in this collection must be numerous and i'm
pc tant; nasmuch as the econorGcal sciences are
.timatelv connected with natural and experiment
tai philosophy, including the knowledge of useful
animals, plants, and minerals chemistry, aglicul-
tHre, gardening, hunting, the cultivation ftrees.
rearing of cattle, fishing, &c. To enable, howe
yer. the reader TO Judge OF the r1cthod by which
subjects apparently intricate aud absrruse,
duced TO the level of ordinary capacities the fol-
lowing heads will furnish an outline of the econ
orical dictionary.
/. A concise historical account Of the subject
under consideration, or the manner in which i, is
mostadvantageouslyp produced either ~ nature or
art for instance, fuel, candles, hats, shoes, wine
yarn, &c.
?. Tn. most iudicious and economical mode of
applying every substance useful purposes.
5. All the newly discovered methods of defend
ing the Objects of the rural and domestic econ
omy, from the efe6ts of air, heat and cold, the
changes Of climate, seasons, and other contingent
Causes (; likewise, the most ele6tual way of pre-.
serving particular substances, such seeds, roots,
plants, &c. from the depyedations Of insects rep
tiles, and other animals.
i. An explanation of the general eHetts which
every article of food and drink, as well all ex-
tern1! acknowledgements, produce on the health
OF the human body together with the most APP
proved rules aud directions for It's preservaflon
5. As the list Of human Affections contains ma
ny and obstinate diseases, such cancers, con-
sumption, epilepsy, govt, palsy, white swengs,
&c. which have hitherto been for the most parr
considered as incurable, concise and faithful ac-
count of the latest and plausible remedies, or
methods of treatment, is given.
From the foregoing account it must be obvious
to all, that the nature of the Domestic Encvciobe-
did is peculiarly adapted TO the present wants Of
the United States. Perhaps it contains greater
Dumber of useful faqs than have appeared in the
compass OF four moderate volumes. No pains,
trouble or expense appear TO have been spared 20
render this economical dictionary as complete as
the present advancement of agriculture, garden.
ing, Of the familiar and manufactures a. well
as the Imperfect state Of medicinal science, would
respe 9ivcly admit. Il includes almost every ob.
iea more or less connected with rural, domestic,
and animal economy. Hence the reader VIII ind
numerous experiments related, many hundreds Of
which have not before been published in the En-
glish language.
With regard 20 tho additions the editor will oh.
serve, that exertions shall be wanting ON his
part, 10 render them useful a. possible. to the
people OF this country. AS no other diseases but
those enumerated in article Eve, arc introduced
in the original work, and as it is peculiarly adap-
ted to .he situation Of persons in the country re-
mote from medical aid, IL has been deemed neccs-
sary in the present edition 20 detail the most APP
proved methods Of guarding agliHst the attack of
diseases prevalent IN the United States, Of curing
them when actually present. and of treating The
various accidents 20 which agricultural people are
liable There shall also he given, as full an sc-
count Of az the poisonous plants growing in the
United States, as can be obtained.
Care shall be taken to detail al the discoveries
which have been made in the United States.
These will be found more numerous than is geue-
rally imagined Many machines for diminishing
la5our and which arc peculiar TO this country,
shall he described and Illustrated by plates.
The reeyinagy Science conprehendiug the APP.
picotion OF the principles ofmed,cine. to the pre-
scrvation Of The health of domestic animals, and
ffte crpg Of their diseters el1il reo claim due