Page:Willich, A. F. M. - The Domestic Encyclopædia (Vol. 1, 1802).djvu/163

139&#93; ATT and therefore deserves no particular account in this place, as we propose to treat of it under the article of Brewing. Atrahilis. See Black Bile. Atriplex. SeeORACH and Purs- lane. Atropa Belladona, L. SeeDeadly Nightshade. ATTENUANTS,or attenuating medicines, in humoral pathology, are such as have a tendency to sub- tilize or resolve the humours into liner parts. And though this defi- nition may not satisfy the plurality of modern pathologists, who ac- count for almost every diseased ac- tion taking place in the human body, partly from the nervous influence — which is still more obscure — and partly from an accumulation or ex- haustion of excitability (or predis- position) ; the former of which im- plies direct debility, and produces sthenic diseases ; the latter origi- nates from indirect debility, and generates asthenic disorders, accord- ing to the plausible theory of the ingenious Dr. John Brown 5 yet we shall attempt to lay down a few general propositions, respecting the se?isible properties and effects of medicinal substances, when we ar- rive at the articles of Healing- Art, and Medicines. Attenuating, or inciding reme- dies, have long been, and arc still, considered of very extensive utility in physic. They produce such a variety of effects, that it is neces- sary to be previously well acquaint- ed with their different kinds, in order to choose and administer them with safety and advantage. At present, we shall content ourselves with stating the most simple and efficacious remedies which have, g<neially speaking, by practical ATT E*39 physicians been allowed to produce the following effects : I. Such as tend to cool and at- tenuate die fluids, when there pre- vails an inflammatory disposition in the system : namely, lemon-juice: common wood sorrel (Oxalis ace to- sella, L.) ; crystals of tartar; vine- gar; nitre; sal ammoniac; cucum- bers (Cucumis sativus, L.) ; less nettle (Urtica urens, L.) ; common house- leek (Sempervivum teclonan, L.) ; and butter-milk. II. Those which possess the pro- perty of dissolving extravasated, stagnant, and coagulated blood : — German leopard's bane (Arnica montana, L.) III. Attc-nuantsofpltuitous stag- nations : — whey ; sugar of milk ; fixed air ; St ltzer-water ; soap ; couch, or quick-grass (Triticum rc- pens, L.) IV. With a view to resolve pi- tuitous and tenacious obstru6tions in the breast : — hedge mustard (Erysimum officinale, L.) ; hyssop j liquorice-root; seneka; bitter milk- wort (Polygalu amara, L.) ; ele- campane (Inula Helenium,h.); gum ammoniac ; myrrh ; galbanum. V. To subtilize incrassated and viscid lymph : — antimony in vari- ous forms; sulphur; hemlock; foxglove ; wolf's-bane, or monk's hood, &c. but we seriously adv ise those readers, who do not pretend to professional knowledge, never to make use of these plants, or of antimony, sulphur, and other me- tallic preparations, without having previously availed themselves of proper medica: advice. VI. To attenuate the stagnant and vitiated bilious matter in the intestines : — dandelion (Lcontodou taraxacum, L.); wild succory (Ci- chorium itUybui, L.) ; fumitory (Fa- inuria