Page:Willich, A. F. M. - The Domestic Encyclopædia (Vol. 2, 1802).djvu/91

Rh garlic in paper, and cover it with hot ashes till it becomes soft, when it should be applied to the parts affected, as warm as they can bear it. But the best cure for these painful excrescences, in our opinion, is to wear constantly easy shoes, to bathe the feet frequently in lukewarm water, in which a little sal ammoniac and pot-ashes have been dissolved, and to apply a plaster made of equal parts of gum galbanum, saffron, and camphor. By persevering in this treatment, the complaint may in a considerable degree be alleviated, and at length totally eradicated. But we cannot omit to caution those who are troubled with corns, never to cut or pierce them with any sharp or pointed instrument; as such imprudent attempts have often been productive of dangerous consequences. Nay, it should be remarked, that every application which is liable to occasion pain to the foot or toes, ought to be carefully guarded against, as being improper and unsafe. Hence the inefficacy of operations performed by pretenders, who are unacquainted with the structure of the human body: and such expedients may be aptly compared to periodical blood-lettings, which benefit the operator, but impoverish the constitution of the biassed patient, whose fluids increase, but progressively become more watery.  CORPULENCY, or obesity, in physiology, is the accumulation of too great a quantity of  or animal oil, which distends the solids to an unnatural degree, by the abundance of granulated matter collected in the cellular membrane.

Corpulency arises from a variety of causes, which may operate separately, or conjointly in the same constitution. It may, however, be principally ascribed, 1. To the introduction of too much oil into the habit, though the channels of nourishment, by which means it is retained in too large a quantity. 2. An over-laxity, or, perhaps, too large a structure of the cells in which it is deposited, so as to admit and retain an immoderate proportion of unctuous matter; 3. To a peculiar disposition of the blood, which renders it liable to separate too easily from its oleaginous particles, and to admit of their being strained off too plentifully by the seecretory vessels; or, lastly, to a defective evacuation or expulsion of oil already absorbed, separated from the blood, and deposited in its cells, instead of being discharged through the different emunctories of the body.

Obesity is promoted by whatever tends to soften the blood, and render it less sharp and saline; such as want of exercise and motion, an indolent life, indulgence in too much sleep, &c. It may be removed or prevented by the contrary causes, and particularly by the use of saline and acid food, and drink.

Castile soap has often been employed with success, and is strongly recommended in a discourse "On the Causes, Nature, and Cure of Corpulency," by Dr., (8vo. 1s. 1760); who directs from one to four drams to be dissolved in a gill or more of soft water, and to be taken every night previously to going to repose.  COSMETIC, any medicine, or preparation, that renders the skin soft and white, or contributes to beautify the complexion.

Various articles have been obtruded on the public attention, by ignorant and speculative persons, as