Page:Willich, A. F. M. - The Domestic Encyclopædia (Vol. 3, 1802).djvu/44

26] been found to afford an excellent substitute. Nor can there be any reasonable objection against this remedy, in cases of a desperate and degrading nature.

Instead of expatiating on the long train of miseries and painful disorders with which habitual intoxication is sooner or later attended, and of which we treat in the alphabetical order of human maladies, we shall conclude in the words of the philosophic, who very pertinently remarks, that "Drink provokes or stimulates the desire, but it takes away the performance."  JOHN's-WORT, or, Hypericum, L. a genus of plants comprising sixty-three species, nine of which are natives of Britain. Of these, the principal is the perforatum, Common, or Perforated Saint John's-wort, growing to the height of eighteen inches, in thickets, woods, hedges and on dry banks: it flowers in the months of July and August.

This plant is eaten by goats, cows, and sheep, but is refused by horses and hogs. Its medicinal virtues are not accurately determined. The leaves, however, when given in substance, are said to destroy worms; and the semi-pellucid dots found on them, yield, on distiliation, an essential oil. In Sweden, the flowers are used to impart a purple tinge to spirits; and the whole plant, when dried, and boiled in alum-water, communicates yellow or brown-red shades to yarn. The seed-bearing tops contain a fine red colour, that appears on friction between the fingers, and more than any other vegetable, resembles the gum-lac.  JOINT, generally speaking, signifies the juncture of two or more things: it is also applied to the human frame, in which case the joints are anatomically called articulations.

The joints, like other parts of the body, are subjeft to a variety of disorders, such as sprains, rheumatism, &c. of which we treat in their respective order. We shall, therefore, briefly mention a patent granted in 1796, to Mr., for a new invented machine, called Gymnasticon, which is peculiarly calculated for exercising the joints and muscles. The whole frame may be constructed of wood only, or conjointly with metals, of any shape or dimensions, so arranged, by means of cranks, fly-wheels, and treading-boards, as to give motion, both voluntary and involuntary, to the joints, limbs, and muscles of the human body. As, however, this patent is unexpired, and cannot be satisfactorily explained, without the aid of an engraving, we refer the inquisitive reader to the 6th vol. of the Repertory of Arts and Manufactures, where it is fully specified.  JOURNAL, or, properly signifies a day-book, register, or account of particular circumstances occurring daily, and deserving to be noted.

Journals are of extensive utility, in an economical point of view; and we are convinced, that all persons engaged in any active pursuits, especially those of rural and domestic economy, would avoid many inconveniencies, by keeping regular accounts. This object, we conceive, might be easily attained, by arranging the pages, ruled with columns, and pointing out the names of workmen, together with the several days of the week, in which the duration and nature of the work done; and the industry or