Page:Willich, A. F. M. - The Domestic Encyclopædia (Vol. 4, 1802).djvu/286

256] of printing was lessened, while the work was performed with more accuracy, beauty, and uniformity; but such practice was relinquished in the course of a few years, and has not been revived in Britain.

In the year 1784, a patent was granted to Mr., for a new mode of printing, termed Logography, which consists in employing types expressive of whole words, instead of those corresponding to single letters. In consequence of this alteration, Mr. J. observes, that the compositor is less liable to error; the type of each word being taken up with as much facility as single letters; and, when a sheet is printed off, such types may be more easily distributed. Lastly, it is asserted, that the expence or number of types in logography, does not exceed that required by the common mode of printing: we doubt, however, the expediency of this contrivance; and believe, that much greater advantages might be derived from casting syllables instead of whole words; because the former occur more frequently, and may be so arranged as to follow in alphabetical order, in proportion to their more or less frequent recurrence.

In July, 1790, Mr. obtained a patent for an invention, communicated to him (by Mr., of Philadelphia), respecting a method of making punches for stamping the matrices of printing types, &c. so that these cannot be counterfeited. Such invention is chiefly founded on the principle, that if any brittle substance be broken in two parts, it will exhibit certain irregular figures, that cannot be imitated. For a minute account of this very ingenious coutrtvance, the curious reader will consult the 2d vol. of the Repertory of Arts, &c.

We cannot conclude this article, without mentioning the stereotype, lately introduced into France, by M. M. and ; being doubtless one of the greatest improvements in the art of printing. Their process appears to be analogous to that of Mr. above related; the form being first comprised, and carefully corrected; when the types are so firmly cemented, or soldered, as to resist the action of the press. Thus, correct and beautiful copies of works may be expeditiously taken off; an advantage, which is of the greatest importance in printing accurate editions of the Greek and Roman classics.  TYPHUS, a malignant contagious fever, attended with remarkable prostration of strength.—Great disputes have prevailed among physicians, respecting the real nature and proper denomination of this malady; but, as the names by which it has been distinguished, mostly depended on the different degrees of violence, observed in its progress, and a variety of other circumstances, we shall briefly describe this dangerous fever.

Beside the usual febrile symptoms, a typhus is characterised by uncommon dejection; languor; interruption of the animal functions; and weakness of pulse: the tongue appears moist and clean, or covered with a thin white coat; the urine is pale. After a few days, the patient feels anxiety; depression at the pit of the stomach; and becomes delirious; till at length he is seized with stupor, which frequently terminates in a profound sleep: the excretions by stool and urine pass off  rily;