Page:Willich, A. F. M. - The Domestic Encyclopædia (Vol. 1, 1802).djvu/145

121&#93; ASC grains, several successive evenings, Dr.WooDViLLE says, " it produces a pretty large watery discharge, which sometimes continues several days together; and by which, head- ach, tooth-ach, opthahnia or in- flammation of the eyes, as well as some paralytic and soporific com- plaints, have been effectually re- lieved." That such is the effect of this powder, we have frequently observed from experience, though there is reason to doubt whether its action extends to palsy, as it more particularly affects the salival glands, which is obvious from the copious spitting it generally occa- sions, after being used for a few evenings. In farriery, the powdered root of this plant is given mixed with bran, to horses troubled with the farcy, or leprosy, in doses from one to two ounces ; — as likewise for worms in either horses or sheep. Dyers may also usefully employ the fresh leaves or roots of the asa- rabacca, for producing first an ap- ple-green, and by boiling them still longer, a light-brown colour, on wool prepared with bismuth. These experimc nts are related by Dam- bourxey, whose work we first quoted, p. it). Asarum. Sec Asarabacca. ASCARIDES, in zoology, be- long to the order of vermes, and are -divided into two species ; 1. the vermicularis, distinguished by a transverse mouth, and faint annular rugae, or folds. It is about a quar- ter of an inch in length, and is found in boggy places ; in the roots of decayed plants ; and very fre- quently in the rectum, or straight gut, of children and horses. 2. The lumbricuidcs, which is equal in length with the lumbricus terreslrls, or common earth-worm, but wants ASC [i2t the protuberant ring towards the middle of the body, which is its only distinguishing mark. Its body is cylindrical, subulated at each extremity; but its tail is somewhat triangular. This is the worm which is most commonly found in human intestines, and its usual seat is the rectum. The symptoms are, an uneasiness and intolerable itching in the anus, which generally take place in the evening, and some- times prevent sleep. They are of- ten attended with so considerable a degree of heat, as to produce both an external and internal swel- ling in that intestine ; Which, if not quickly relieved, bring on a tenesmus, or a frequent inclination to go to stool, accompanied with a mucous dejection. There are also frequent griping pains, in the low- er part of the abdomen, a little above the os pulis ; if these be acute, they are succeeded by a bloody mucous discharge, in which these worms are often found alive. Mucus, or slime, appears to be the proper nest of the ascarides : in this they live, are nourished, and preserved unhurt, though sur- rounded with many other fluids, the immediate contact of which wouid to them proi e fatal. Purges, by lessening this viscous matter, never fail to relieve the patient ; for those worms, which are not expelled by the increased vermicu- lar motion of the intestines, for want of a proper quantity, languish, and at last die ; as may be seen in those which are taken out of their mucus and exposed to the open air. Such purges, therefore, as act briskly, and can be conveni- ently repeated, for instance, purg- ing waters, and jalap, especially for children, two grains of which may be mixed with sugar, and taken daily.