Page:Willich, A. F. M. - The Domestic Encyclopædia (Vol. 3, 1802).djvu/352

330&#93; r.o] PAL doming too thick, to be applied in a manner similar to paint. The mixtur.- must be laid on the wood by means ot a large biiish, and the vork kept as free from dust and insects as possible, till the varnish be perteirtly dry : thus, if the Avood be smooth, it will acquire an ex- cellent gloss, which preserves it against the injurious elfetrts of air and moisture. Being not only cheaper, but drj'ing more speedily, it is far pi efevable to paint ; and may be advantageously applied to all other wood-work that is ex- posed. — Should the glossy brown be disliked, a greyish-brown tinge niay be imparted to the work, by mixing a small quantity of white- lead, and ivory-black, togedierwith the Spanish-brown. PvVLM-TREE, or Date-tree, P/ice?iiv dafti/lifcra, L. a native of Syria, Palestine, Egypt, and other hot climate-, where it grows to the height of lOOj and even 150 feet. — As it will not flourish in this coun- try, we shall contineour account to the properties of its fruit. Dates resemble in form thelargest acorns, but are covered jth a thin, semi-transparent, yellowish mem- brane ; contnining a fine soft sac- charine pulp, of a somewhat vinous flavour J and within which is in- closed an oblong, hard kernel. They alfbrd, when fresh, a very ■wholesome nourishment, and pos- sess an agreeable taste. The best are obtained from Tunis, in a half- dried state, and pay, on importa- tion, the sum of 21. 10s. lOjd. per cwt. If chosen for medicinal pur- poses, dates should be large, full, tresh, and yellow on the surface; being soft, tender, and not too much wrinkled ; have the full fla- vour ; and, when shaken, they ought not to rattle. Formerly this PAL fruit was ofteii used in petftoral de- coctions ; and, beside its demulcent properties, was supposed to possess a slight degree of astriiigeucy, Tlicre is an oil prepared from thr fruit of this tree, known under the name of palm-oi! ; which is im- ported from the West Indies, whi- ther the tree has been transplanted' from Africa. It is of an orange- colour, and of the cosisistcnce of ointment ; emitting a strong agree- able odour, but having very little taste: both of which it entirely loses by long keeping ; when it becomes unfit fur use.— O.i the Coast of Guinea, this oil is said to be used by the inhabitants as a sub- stitute for butter. In Britain, how- ever, it is chieiiy employed exter- nally, for mitigating pains, cramps, and similar aifections : it is like- wise used fur the cure of chilblains : and, if early applied, has often proved successful, PALPITATION OF the Heaht, a viokni and irregular ai'tion of that nmscle, accompa- nied with great uneasiness and op-, pression ot the breast. This alfedion is obvious from the vehement pulsation of the heart against the breast, which is some- times so great, as to be audible at a distance. It chiefly alfedts persons of sedentaryoccupationsj those, whose periodical bleedings have suddenly ceased ; and also, hypochondriac, hysteric, and scorbutic patients. Palpitations of the heart origi- nate f rum various causes ; such as mal - conformation of that organ, or of some of the large vessels j wounds, abscesses, and ossifica- tions in the vessels near the heart; all of which are incur a tie. It may likew ise proceed frojii plethora ; from fear ; and from spasmodic af» fcctions. Cure,