Page:Willich, A. F. M. - The Domestic Encyclopædia (Vol. 2, 1802).djvu/142

122&#93; I2Z DAY DEA In consequence of the unequal length of days, resulting from the peculiar revolution of the planets producing the different seasons, we are inclined to think that many persons, especially in the higher walks of life, avail themselves of irregularity; insomuch, that by the law of fashion, in winter they convert the night into day ; and in summer exchange the :<;. st ible mornings and forenoons, for damp, unwholesome evenings and nights. It would be a vain attempt to reprobate this unnatural eustom, in those circles where, it is fancied to be equally vulgar to re- pair to bed in good time, and to rise early ; — a practice instinctively followed even by the lower ani- mals. To the industrious and more do- viestlc members of society, we venture to recommend, while in a good state of health, the following division of the day: namely, in spring and autumn to rise with the first rays of the sun ; in summer, one. hour after ; and in winter, one hour before that luminary appears; — to allot every day (Sundays ex- cepted), from 10 to 12 hours to useful occupations; from 6 to 7 hours to the. various purposes of ssing, taking provisions, exer- cise, or amusements ; and also from 0' to 7, or 8 hours, to repose, is have been more or less fatigued the preceding day, either by mental or bodily exer- tions. — Such would be both a na- tural and i arrangement of ' ;>j ; and we make no doubt ■ bose who are dispose d l vote their time and labour to the mmtnity, will neither ]> i to complain that the days are loo long, or the nights too short, for useful par* poses. — See Bed-time. DEAD-NETTLE; or L ■urn, L. an indigenous plant con- sisting of three species, of winch the following are the principal : 1. The album, or White Dead- nettle, or White Archangel, which is perennial, grows on rubbish, corn-fields, and ditch-banks, blooms in the month of May or June, and also in September. The flowers of this species have been much cele- brated for their efficacy in pulmo- nary disorders, and in these inci- dent to females ; but their virtues appear to be precarious. Early in. the spring, the young plant is eaten by the country people of Germany and Sweden, among their sanative, culinary herbs. 2. The purpureum, or Red Dead-nettle, Red Archangel, or Dee-nettle, which is an annual plant, grows in rubbish, corn- fields, and kitchen-gardens, and flowers in the month of May.— The leaves of both plants may be boiled and eaten as greens : the latter is relished by sheep, goats, and horses, but refused by cows. DEAD-TOPS, a disease inci- dent to young trees, which may be cured, by cutting off the dead parts close to the nearest sound twig or shoot, and claying them over in the same manner as is practised in l n v.*, to u'bich we refer. DEAFNI SS, the state of a per- son who is deprived of the sense of hearing ; it is also used U> signify a disease of the ear, which pre- sents the due perception of sounds. Deafness is frequently the ci of old age, and is incident to most persons in the decline of life. It is, however, sometimes owing to an original defect in the organic . . . jstruQ&rq