Page:The New International Encyclopædia 1st ed. v. 05.djvu/348

* CONJUNCTION. 2'.)6 CONJUNCTIVITIS. basket.' In most cases, however, it can be shown that, logically at least, two allirmations are in- volved, and that the conjunction really connects the allirmations. Conjunctions may also connect paragraphs. It is not easy to distinguish con- junctions from adverbs. In fact, conjunctions were all originally other parts of speech ; and the greater jjart of them are still really adverbs, and owe their conjunctive efl'ect to their significa- tion as adverbs. In and and but, whatever may have been the original meaning, we now attend only to the conjunctive effect; or is a shortened 'form of the pronominal adjective other; and nor is or with the negative prefixed. In such a sentence as, 'I believe that you are wrong,' that is the demonstrative pronomi, equiv- alent to — I believe this, viz. 'you are wrong.' This is clearly seen in the corresponding words in other languages: Ger. dass, Ft. quf, Lat. quod (for the relatives were originally demonstrative pronouns). All the rest might be called adverbial conjunctions, or conjunctive adverbs; as, 'He is industrious; therefore he is happy' — that is, 'he is happy for that.' This adverb, or adverbial phrase, expressive of the cause of the happiness, by referring us back for its meaning to the former assertion, has the effect of connecting the two assertions in the mind. Again, 'The messenger arrived irhilc he was speakmg.' Here while is equivalent to at the time at which (he was speaking). As an adverbial phrase, this simply indicates the time of the act of 'arriving'; hut as it also expresses that the speaking was going on at the same time, it thus conjoins the two assertions. The most important distinction among conjunc- tions will be seen in the following pair of sen- tences : The sun went down, and the moon rose. The moon rose, as the sun went down. The fir.st (compound) sentence contains two simple sentences or assertions, linked together, yet each standing on an independent footing; the two are joined on terms of equality, and are therefore said to be coordinate, and the conjunc- tion is called a coordinating conjunction. In the second (complex), the last' clause, though a granunatical sentence, contains no logical propo- sition, no assertion made for its own sake, but merely states a fact as a modifying circumstance with "regard to the assertion contained in the first clause. The sentence of the second clause is therefore suhordinate to that of the first, and the conjunction that marks the relation is a subordinating conjunction. CONJUNCTION. In astronomy, one of the aspects (q.v.) of the planets. Two heavenly bodies are in conjunction when they have the same longitude — that is, when the same per- V pendicular to the ecliptic passes through both. If they have, at the same time, the same latitude — that is, if they are both equally far north or south of the ecliptic — they appear from the earth to be in the same spot of the heavens, and to cover one another. This phenomenon is called an eclipse in the case of the sun and moon, and >n occultation in the case of the moon and a star. The sun and moon are in conjunction at the period of new moon. In the case of inferior planets, like ilercury and Venus, which revolve in orbits interior to that of the earth, there is an inferior conjunction when the planet is between the earth and the sun, and a superior when the sun is between the earth and the planet. In general, a heavenly body is in con- junction with the sun when it is on the same side of the earth and in a line with the sun; and it is in opposition to the sun when it is on the opposite side of the earth, the earth being in a line between it and the sun. Planets are invisible when in conjunction with the sun, except in rare cases when an inferior planet passes over the sun's disk, and may be seen as a speck on its surface. The foregoing has reference to geocen- tric conjunctions, or such as are seen from the earth. Heliocentric conjunctions are analogous planetary arrangements, such as could be seen by a supposed observer on the sun. In observing a conjunction, eclipse, or occultation. from the earth's surface, it is usual to reduce the observa- tion to what it would be if made from the earth's centre. By this means, the exact times of con- junction are more accurately fixed, and the observations of one astronomer made available to every other, wherever he may be on the earth's surface. Grand conjunctions, in astrology, are those where several stars or planets are found together. Chinese history records one in the reign of the Emperor Tehuenhiu (B.C. 2514-'243G) , which astronomers calculate to have actuallj^ taken ])lacc. CONJUNCTION, or Synapiie. In nmsic, the name given by the Greeks to their old system of tuning the seven-stringed lyre. The new sys- tem, which came into use with the eight-stringed lyre, was called up/jovia, harmonia, harmony. See Gkeek Mi'.sic. CONJUNC'TIVI'TIS (Neo-Lat., from con- junctiva, connective membrane, from Lat. con- junctivus, connective, from conjungcre, to join together). Ophthalmia, or Ophthalmitis. An inllanmiation of the conjunctiva, or the mucous membrane that covers the external surface of the eyeball, and the internal surface of the eyelids. The disease occurs in several distinct varieties, which are separately described below: Acute Catarrhal Conjunctivitis. The symp- toms of this variety are redness of the surface of the eyes (the redness being superficial, of a bright scarlet color, and usually diffused in patches), sensations of inieasiness, stiffness and dryness, with slight pain, especially when the eye is exposed to the light; an increased dis- charge, not of tears, except at the beginning of the attack, but of mucus, which at first is thin, but soon becomes opaque, yellow, and thicker; pus (or matter, as it is popularly termed) being seen at the corner of the eye, or between the eyelashes along the edges of the lids, which it gliies together during the night. The disease results from exposure to cold, damp, and dust; it may be epidemic in the spring and autumn, probably from bacterial infection; or it may be transmitted by contact with articles used by those having the disease; or finally may follow or occur during measles, smallpox, scarlet fever, in- fluenza, hay fever, or coryza. ChronicCatarriial Conjunctivitis. This is probably the most conunon disease of the eye and usually occurs in adults, generally involving both eyes. " It often lasts a long time, frequently on account of the continuance of the causes which led to its appearance. Among the most impor- tant causes are: acute catarrhal conjunctivitis, improper hygienic surroundings, irritation by dust or smoke, insufficient sleep, abuse of alcohol.