Page:Willich, A. F. M. - The Domestic Encyclopædia (Vol. 2, 1802).djvu/250

220&#93; .20 "J ELE August. It >s eaten by horses and goats, but refused by hogs : — its loots, when braised and macerated in urine with balls of ashes and whortle-berries, dye a blue colour: when dry, they possess an aromatic smell, and, on chewing them, be- come acrid and pungent : they are likewise in some repute for pro- moting expectorations in asthmas and coughs. If liberally taken, they are diuretic, and said to be of great service in removing visceral obstructions. — A. decoction of this plant hap been employed by for- mers for the cure of the scab in sheep: and, externally applied, for removing disorders of the skin. — Prof. Kk ackstakdt, of St. IYters- burgh, has lately prescribed the elecampane both ways, and found it a remedy of singular efficacy, in curing die sdaJd head, itch, &c. ELECTRICITY, is the power of attracting light substances, &c. when excited by heat, or friclion 5 and which may be communicated to other bodies. This term also im- plies that branch of natural philo- sophy which investigates the nature and effects of this power, and of other elementary agents connected witii it. The science of electricity has made a most rapid progress within the last hfiy years ; it was little at- tended to previous to the year 1(X)0, since which period it has been car- ried to a considerable degree of per- fection. — It would be transgress- ing our limits to enter into the his- tory of this subjeft, as few can be ignorant of the names of Newton, Grey, De Fay, Priestley, Franklin, and Cavallo : far- ther, as the theory is too diffuse, and requires the aid of too many ^experiments and analytical expla- nations, we shall confine our ac- ELE count to vicdical electricity. Thi* has often been successfully em- ployed for relieving the human frame from painful maladies, though it has till lately been treated as an empirical process. Being one of the most powerful stimulants, its ef- fects may be considered both as general and local. "When the vital principle is in a manner extinguish- ed by too violent shocks, it may again be kindled or excited by such as are less powerful. Hence electri- city promotes a free circulation of the fluids, and particularly the blood ; increases animal heat, per- spiration, as well as all the secre- tions and excretions OJFtbe body: As many professional electricians are little concerned about the pro- priety or safety of this potent re- medy, when patients apply to them as candidates for the operation, we think it our duty to give the follow- ing practical hints : 1 . Electricity is always improper in active, inflam- matory, or sthenic diseases : 2. It is also hurtful when a high degree of excitement is felt in the organs of sense, as well as in those e£ vo- luntary motion, and when both are accompanied with relaxation or de- bility : 3. If any local irritation prevail in the body, such as ulcers, inflammatory tumors, eruptions of the skin, &c. In these cases, the electric stimulus has a direct tendency to produce congestions, or a local accumulation of hu- mours. It has, however, some- times been found highly beneficial in removing the periodical obstruc- tions of females, though its appli- cation requires great precaution. In passive, chronical, or asthenic disorders, it has likewise been of Considerable service ; but the mode of imparting the electric (mid de- serves more attention than has, in gene-