Page:Willich, A. F. M. - The Domestic Encyclopædia (Vol. 4, 1802).djvu/359

325&#93; W H I visibly enlarged. Similar elastici- ty 13 perceivable, and abscesses are likewise formed j which, on being opened, discharge an offensive hu- mour ; the bones decay, and pieces are often ejected through tlie ori- fices of the wounds. The adja- cent parts become progressively affefted, til] the sufferings of the patient are also terminated by the hettic fever. As the distinction above pointed out, sufficiently explains the proxi- mate causes, we shall only mention those wliioh occasionally occur ; and the principal of which are, suppressed perspiration; injudici- ous treatment of cutaneous dis- orders J especially of the measles, small-pox, rose, &c. ; external vio- lence, such as falls, blows, and fre- quent kneeling. Cure:— In the rheumatic white- swelling, which, at first, is of an inflammatory nature, it will be ad- visable to adopt a cooling regimen. F-rther, blood should be taken from the diseased part, by cupping or scarification ; a practice which is far preferable either to venesec- tion or to the application of leeches ; and it may be repeated according to the strength of the patient, and urgency of the symptoms. Next, a blister must be applied to the opposite side, and kept open, till the scarified part is healed. Internally, mild cooling laxatives should be occasionally taken, and heating liquors, as well as coarse food, must be strlftly avoided. If a stiffness of the knee remain, after the swelling has subsided, great be- nefit will be derived from the ap- plication of pure, warm olive oil, and from gentle friftions, repeated three or four times every day.—. But, where suppuration h^ al- WHI [325 ready taken place (wiiich may be ascertained by the softness of the tumor); or, if the disorder make rapid progress, professional advice ahould be speedily procured. In the scrophuloits white-swell- ing, the treatment specified under the head of Scrophxjla, should be resorted to without delay. — When this affedion is confined to the smaller joints, it has by those means, been sometimes cured; but, when the larger joints, for in- stance, the knee, ancle, &c. are thus diseased, amputation is the only remedy. If, however, the whole system be tainted with a scrophulous acrimony, even that operation is frequently ineffedual. White-thorn. See Haw- thorn. WHITE-WASHING, is the aft of cleansing ceilings and walls, wdth a solution of lime in water, to which a little' size is occasionally added. The practice of white-washing apartments eminently contributes to the preservation of health : hence we would recommend the proprie- tors of cottages, to e: join their te- nants regularly to perform this operation, at least once annually. In countries abounding with lime, the expence will be trifling ; and, even though this article should be purchased, the whole cost will not exceed one shilling. It ought to be remarked, however, that hot or quick-lime is preferable to any other, and must be employed as soon as possible after it is slacked j for, by attending to this circum- stance, its effects in destroying ver- min, and removing INFECT^ON, will be considerably increased. . WHITING, or GadMs vierlaM- gtis, h, a well-known lish, of an Y 8 ele§»n«