Page:Willich, A. F. M. - The Domestic Encyclopædia (Vol. 4, 1802).djvu/311

281&#93; WAF be drank with advantage, by per* sons who have undergone great bodily fatigue ;■ but, as the posses- sion of such luscious beverage is apt to introduce detestable habits, we conceive, that diluted rum, or other simple spirit, would afford a proper substitute for this expensive com- pound. Usury. See Interest. UVULA, in animal economy, denotes a soft glandular body, of a conical figure, that is suspended from the palate, or posterior part of the roof of the mouth, perpendicu- larly over the chink of the wind-pipe, vhich lies at the root of the tongue. WAG [281 The uvula is by Nature design- ed to modify the current of cold air, previously to its entering the kings. As the aifeitions, to which this part is exposed, do not essen- tially differ from those of the Ton- sils, we shall conclude with re- marking, that a gargle, consisting of a decoftion of Peruvian bark, sage, rose-leaves, or other astrin- gents, has generally proved effica- cious, in cases where this useful gland is so relaxed or inflamed, as to be attended with a difficulty of swallowing. w. Wadd. See Black-wadd. WAFERS, are thin circular cakes of paste, employed for seal- ing letters, and for other purposes. Wafers are made by mixing the finest wheaten flour, either with the whites of eggs, or with a solu- tion of isinglass, and a small por- tion of yeast : these ingredients are thoroughly incorporated, and re- duced to a proper consistence, by the addition of gum-water. The batter is then spread on tin-plates, or poured in a flat iron form, and placed over a c! arcoal-fire, where it is speedily baked ; after which it is cut out to difi'erent round sizes. The paste may be tinged of fxny colour j for instance, red with a so- lution of Brazil-wood, or vermi- lion ; blue with that of indigo, or verditer ; and yellow with saffron, gamboge, or turmeric. Wages. See Labour. WAGGON, a species of wheel- carriage, the form of which varies, according to the different purposes for which it is designed. Few iraplejnents of husbandry are of greater importance, or ad- mit, perhaps, of more essential im- provements, than wheel-carriages. Hence we cannot but express our surprize at the infatuation of those farmers, who employ large wag- gons, on the erroneous principle, that a greater quantity may thus be carried at one time ; while they overlook the injury which such un- wieldy machines necessarily occa- sion, both in their fields, and par-r ticularly on roads, by making deep ruts, and oliierwise tearing or breaking rp the soil. The princi- pal objeiiiion to the use of these heavy vehicles on farms, is their weight ; which requires an in- creased number of horses or cattle, that