Page:Willich, A. F. M. - The Domestic Encyclopædia (Vol. 1, 1802).djvu/167

143&#93; AVE In medicine, the root of the common avens has lately been em- ployed with singular efficacy in the cure of obstinate agues. A tinc- ture made of it, in the proportion of four ounces of the root, digested with a quart of brandy, in a sand heat, and given to the quantity of half an ounce, or more, two, three or four times, has seldom failed to cure intermittent^, where the Peruvian bark had proved ineffec- tual. Others give it with equal success in decoction, powder, or electuary, in doses from one scruple to a drachm or more, several times a day — provided that the first pas- sages be previously evacuated by proper laxatives. This root has also afforded an excellent remedy in several chronic disorders, as a ge- neral strengthener and astringent : indeed, the experiments made by Buchhave shew, that its antisep- tic power is superior to that of the best foreign bark. As an object of rural and domes- tic economy, this plant deserves some attention. Sheep are ex- tremely fond of its herbage ; which may likewise, when young, be used for culinary purposes, and especially in the form of salad. If the common avens-root be collect- ed, split, and dried, a portion of it secured in a bag, and hung in a cask of beer, it is affirmed (in the Transactions of the Swedish Aca- demy), that this simple expedient will prevent it from turning sour. — On this subjedt, we refer to the article Brewing. In the useful arts, this root has likewise been employed in the process of tanning leather. Dam- bourne y informs us, mat the A VO [i43 stalks and leaves of the plant have been used with advantage for dye- ing wool of a permanent olive- brown colour, when previously steeped in a solution of bismuth. 2. Water Avens, Geuin ri- val?, L. grows in the North of England, Scotland, Wales, &c. in meadows and groves of a humid soil 5 its pale red flowers appear in June and July. We find it deli- neated in Engl. Bot. t. I06, and by Withering, 47s. — The herb and root of this species, though of inferior efficacy, have also been employed in medicine, as well as by tanners. AVOIRDUPOIS is the name of the weight adopted for the larger or coarser commodities, such as groceries, hops, cheese, wool, lead, &c. It is distinguished from Troy- weight, which was formerly used in England for every purpose, and is still retained for weighing gold, silver, and jewels, for compound- ing medicines, for experiments in natural philosophy, and for com- paring different weights with each other. The former contains six- teen, and die latter only twelve ounces to the pound. — Bakers, who live in country places, manu- facture their bread by avoirdupois- v. eight, but those who carry on business in corporation-towns, are obliged to make it by troy- weight. Apothecaries purchase their drugs, if wholesale, by the former, but retail them out by the latter. — See Weights, and Measures. Aversion. See. Antipathy. Azalea procumbens, L. Sc?e Trailing Rose-bay. Azote. See Atmosphere. BA-