Page:Willich, A. F. M. - The Domestic Encyclopædia (Vol. 4, 1802).djvu/149

127&#93; ST r)f curiosity, and for the table; as their liesh is very delicate, and pos- bcsses a sweet Havoiir. SauiTCH-GKASS, the Blue, See Creeping Bent-crass. St. Anthonv's Fire. See Rose. St. John's-wort. See John's Wort. ST. VITUS's DANCE, a spas- modic disorder, mostly incident to young persons of both sexes, from the age often to tiftcen : it is dis- tinguished by continual involuntary motions of the hands and feet ; so that the patient appears in a man- ner to dance, while he is obliged to tirag one leg after the other. Causes : — Worms ; suppressed eruptions ; checked perspiration, &c. ; but the peculiar afFe(9:ion of tiie muscles thus contracted, has hitherto eluded the researches of the physiologist. However distressing this com- plaint be to the patient and his friends, it may afford some consola- tion, that it neither proves fatal nor permanent ; and that frequently, afier every mean has been em- ployed, it spontaneously disap- pears. — A favourable change may, in general, be expected about the age of puberty. Cure : — As it is often difficult to ascertain the cause of this malady, it will be proper to administer such medicines as are calculated to carry off worms (see the article Worm) ; and to allay the spasmodic motions. With the latter intention, antispas- modics and tonics, namely, Asafoe- tida. Valerian- root. Wormwood, Musk in conjunction with Bark and Port-wine, &c, have often been attended with good efFeds, Farther, the remedies dire(5ted in the epilepsy, may also, with advantage^ be so oioditied as to ST A [127 be salutary in this complaint. — I/astly, we conceive that the te- pid hath may always with safe- ty, if not with uniform benelit, be resorted to ; especially in au atfc6tion which obviously arises from a preternatural irritability of the nerves and muscles. On the other hand, the cold sea-bath will probably be of great service, when the skin of a robust patient is not in a dry, contracted state ; and when there appears to be a sufficient degree of re-a6tion in the system, to withstand the sudden shock of the water, STABLE, an edifice erefted for the reception and accommodation of horses. The principal objeft in building stables, is the situation, which ought to be, 1, On a gentle decli- vity, in order that the urine, &c. may be carried off; 2, On a pure, airy spot, not exposed to noxious exhalations ; and, 3, On dry, hard ground. — ^The walls must be mo- derately thick, and furnished with casements on the north and east sides; both with a view to admit air, and to receive the benefit of the rising sun. The windows should, at the same time, be provided with shutters, for excluding the light, in case it be deemed necessary for the animals to sleep during the day. With respe6t to the paving of stables, it will be advisable to co- ver the part, on which the horses are to lie down, with oak boards, placed transversely upon a level ; and which should be perforated with holes, for conducting the urine into the common drain. The other part should be paved with small stones ; and the wall contiguous to the rack, ought to lined with a wainscoat of sound oak. When a stable is designed for several