Page:Willich, A. F. M. - The Domestic Encyclopædia (Vol. 3, 1802).djvu/537

509&#93; p. OT ^Keyare sparingly applied to the temples and foreiiend. According to some writers, they also atrbrd considerable relief to persons troubled with a f'elid breath, when employed in gargarisms and drntri- iices, diluted with old or long kept spirit of scurvy-grass j while they are supposed to improve the organs of sight, ROSE-WORT, theyELLov, or RosE-RooT, Rhod'iola commioih V. rosea, L. an indigenous plant, which grows on rocks, and in mountainous situations : it flowers in the mouths of June and July. — The perennial root of this herb is white, juicy, and possesses the fra- grance of roses in so remarkable a degree, as to perfume the atmo- sphere, especially in Lapland. Its rosy odour is preserved in a dry state : hence it may be usefully employed for distilled waters. The Greenlanders eat the fresh root among culinar}' vegetables ; but, when cultivated in a garden, its odoriferous properties are greatly diminished. — The plant is relished by goats and sheep, but lejefted by Cow- and hogs. ROT, a very fatal disorder,whlch exclusively affects sheep. It is known by the dullness of the ani- mal's eyes ; the livid hue of the gums: foulness of the teeth ; the ill scent of the breath ; and the faci- lity with which the wool, and, in the last stage, the horns may be pulled out, or separated from their roots. Various causes have been as- signed for the origin of this ma- lady ; but the prevailing opinion appeals to be, tl;at it arises from the tlcdingof sheepin too moist or wet lands ; though it is certain, that the dry limed land in Derl/j'- shire will produce tlic rot, a> well
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as watery meadows ar:d stagnant marjhes. The anonymous r.uvlior of the Farmers' Cohndar, Conjec- tures that it is occasioned by a pe- culiar species of dropsy, incident to deer, ■ rabbits, and sheep, which, hou'ever, originates from supera- bundant moisture. An ingenious correspondent, in the 1st vol. of the Lf Iters and Papers ff the Bath and JFtJSt of England Society, at- tributes it tothepLEUKwoEMs that breed in the livers of sheep, whi- ther they are conveyed through the nostrils, while the animals are grazing. Lastly, Dr. D.rwin' suspetl;s the rot to proceed from ti:e ina6tivity of the absorbent ves- sels of the livers in sheep, so that the bile becomes too thin or diluted, especially in moist seasons. Such diversity of opinion is not easily reconciled} but, as the gene- ral prcdisposlr.g causes obviously consist in too moist food, or damp and wet situations, it follows that vioisture may be considered as the principal source of the rot. The remedies contrived for the prevention and cure of this distem- per, are as various as the conjec- tures respecting its origin. Miller recommends parsley, as being eminently serviceable.— Mr. Vaulo (New Sijstem nfHuslandry, vol. i.) direds one spoonful of common SALT to be given once in the week, to each animal, v/hen a " rotting season" is apprehended; and, ns soon as the sheep are accustomed to it, he advises seme dry salt to be laid on flat stones, in different parts of the pasture ; as they will spontaneously lick it tip, without any farther trouble. — Mr, Pbice (in the vol. of the Letters and Pa- pers, &c, above quoted) recom- mends every farmer to remove his sheep, in -.vet ^■.nd warm seasons, from