Page:Willich, A. F. M. - The Domestic Encyclopædia (Vol. 4, 1802).djvu/466

430&#93; 2^0] HAM cnt out with a sharp knife, till the clean wliite bark and wood apj^eiir} after which the composition and powder (see p. 238 of the present volume) should be speedily ap- plied. Lastly, in case any gum ooze out of the tree, it must be immediately scraped off; as the disease will otherwise rapidly in- crease : — the best time for this operation, in the opinion of Mr. F. is during wet weather ; because the gum, being moistened, may then be easily removed without in- juring the bark. GUM, or Yellow-Gtm, is a species of Jaundice, to which in- fants are liable, in consequence of a retention of the meconium, or when the bowels arc obstructed after their birth. This afteftion may be cured, by occasionally administering a weak solution of tartar emetic, in the proportion of half a grain to four ounces of water, sweetened with manna, till it operate either by stool, or by vomiting : after which, a small tea-spoonful of castor-oil should be given in water -gruel. But, as the former medicine must be used with great precaution, we would preferably recommend one or two grains of ipecacuanha to be infused in an ounce of water, with a dram or two of manna, and to be taken in divided doses. If, however, the complaint be attended vith convulsions, the infant may be im- mersed in a warm bath, and expe^ ditiously wiped ; a praftice which is generally attended with better HAM effet^b than the swallowing of psrir- goric elixir, laudanum, and other antispasmodics j even though such remedies should consist only of single drops, or half drops. Hence, we seriously caution parents and nurses against those precarious drugs, which cannot fail to under- mine the constitutions of children. GYMNASTICS, or the Ath- letic Art, denotes the dexterous performance of certain exercises of the body, whether for defence, health, or amusement. On the first institution of society, men being aware of the necessity and advantage of military ma- nosuvres, for repelling the attacks of enemies, national games were c»hed ; and public rewards were granted for the encouragement of youth. These exercises consisted of running, leaping, swimming, wrestling. Sec. Although, from the change of manners, and the dif- ferent systems of ta6tics now pre- vailing, such games become less requisite, yet as they doubtless contribute to the preservation of health, and tend to invigorate the juvenile body, we conceive that they might, with certain restric- tions, be advantageously re-esta- blished in academies, A discussion of this interesting subje6t, however, being foreign to oiir plan, we refer the reader to M. Salzmann's " Gi/mJtasfics for Youth," 8vo. 1 800 J which is an useful pra6tical guide, and merits the attention of those who are concerned in the snj erintendance of schools. H. "ttAMPSTE AD-WATER is ob- tained from a mineral spring, which rises in the village of that name, in the vicinity of the metropolis. Thi»