Page:Willich, A. F. M. - The Domestic Encyclopædia (Vol. 4, 1802).djvu/66

46&#93; 461 SEA or p<)t-asli, which affords employ- ment to many iuduatrious faaiilies. So lucrative and highly esteemed is this plant, that the natives of the V/estern Isles have even rolled large masses of stone and rock into t!ie sea ; with a view to promote alkl extend its growth. With respedt to its medicinal properties, also, the Sea-waure de- serves particular notice. — Dr. Ru s- SEL (in his work quoted in thollast article) recommends the sa|x)na- ceoas liquor found in the vesicles or bladders, that abound beneath the leaves of this plant, as a power- ful resolvent in dispersing scrophu- lous and scorbutic tumors of the glands. He dire^ the patient to mb such swellings with these blad- ders, having previously bruised them in his hand, till the part be thoroughly penetrated, with the mucus ; after which they are to be ■washed with sea-water. Another metliod of employing the common sea- wrack, is by infusing 2 lbs. of the vesicles above mentioned (which ought to be gathered in July, when they abound with viscid juice) in a glass vessel containing one quart of sea-water, for the space of fif- teen days J at the expiration of vhich, the liquor will acquire the consistence of honey. It is next to be strained through a lirten cloth ; the tumors must be daily rubbed, and then cleansed in the manner already direded. By this treat- ment, he observes, not only scor- butic and scrophulous indurations, but even scirrhous swellings in the breasts of females, have been suc- cessfully discussed. Lastly, by cal- chijng this vegetable in the open air^ Dr. Russel obtained a very Wj^ck saline powder, by him called vt^talle cBthiops j and which has SEA been highly extolled both as a re- solvent, and also as a dtntritice, for correfting the scorbutic laxity of the gums, and removing all foul matters from ihe teeth. 3. The palmalus fCJ/va palmata of Dr. Withering), Pal.mated Sea-wrack, Dills, Dulls, DuL- LESH, or Dulse, abounds on the coasts of Scotland, on those of the contiguous i-lands, and on the shores of Xorthuniberlarxl. Its substance is membranous, pellucid, and thin ; of a greenish or reddish colour : its height varies from five to six, and sometimes to twelve inches.— This species, after being soaked in fresh water, is eaten either boiled or dried ; in which latter state, it acquires a flavour, somewhat resembling that of vio- lets; and, according toBECHSTEiN, the sweetness of sugar : — yet, un- less it be dried in close vessels, no saccharine but ialine particles will appear on its surface j bA:ause the former are dissipated in the open' air J a remark for which we are indebted to Oiaffen, the Ice- landic traveller. — ^The dulse is sold in a dry state, in the streets of Dublin ; and Dr. Rutty observes, that it is supposed to sweeten the breath, and to destroy worms.— In the Isle of Skye, this plant is occasionally boiled in water, with a little butter, and administered in fevers, with a view to promote per- spiration ; though, in tliis form, it is often attended with purgative effcds. 4. The ciliatus Clacinialus of Dr. WiTHKRiNo), or Fringed Sea- wrack, abounds on rocks and stones, on the British co.ist ; where it grows from four to five inches high ; consists of a membranous, pellucid substance ; and is of a red colour.