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produce contraction of the blood vessels, as in hæmoptysis, hæmatemesis, aneurism, varix, and congestion of the spinal cord and brain. It is probably by this action upon the blood vessels that the epidemics of ergotism, from the use of diseased grains as food, have occurred in different parts of Europe. Ergotism assumes two forms, spasmodic and gangrenous, and probably requires for its production not only the poisonous action of ergot, but the additional depressing influences of cold, moisture, and insufficient food; a combination which is likely to take place in seasons favorable to the growth of the fungus.—Ergot may be administered in substance, infusion, decoction, fluid extract, or tincture. The dose for a woman in labor is about 20 grains of the substance repeated every 20 minutes till its physiological action is obtained; for other purposes, the dose is from 3 to 10 grains, according to the result sought for. It is apt to deteriorate by keeping, and therefore should be freshly prepared when used. A drop of the fluid extract is intended to represent a grain of the substance. The tincture is a little weaker.
ERIC IX. (according to some historians, VIII.), king of Sweden, called after his death St. Eric, the son of “a good and wealthy yeoman” (in the words of an old Swedish chronicle) named Jedward, died May 18, 1160. His mother was Cecilia, sister of a former king. His wife was Christina, also of royal blood. He was elected to the throne of the Upper Swedes, or as it was called the “royal chair of Upsal,” in 1150. With a view to the spread of Christianity he undertook in 1157 a crusade against the heathen of Finland, and by transplanting Swedish colonists thither laid the foundation of the conquest of that country. On his return to Upsal he was attacked by a Danish prince, Magnus Henrikson, and in the battle that followed, at East Aras (modern Upsal), he fell covered with wounds. His virtues id the austerity of his life procured him the reputation of a saint; but he was never canonized. His rule, which at first extended only over Sweden proper (or Upper Sweden), after death of King Swerker in 1155 also embraced Gothland (Lower Sweden). The effigy St. Eric is preserved upon the arms of the city of Stockholm; and his remains are in the cathedral of Upsal.
ERIC XIV., king of Sweden, the son and successor of Gustavus Vasa, born Dec. 13, 1533, died Feb. 26, 1577. In youth he was distinguished for his handsome person, his intelligence, and numerous accomplishments; but his passionate and suspicious disposition and immoderate indulgence in pleasure early awakened the apprehensions of his father. Toward his brothers, John, Magnus, and Charles, who had been created dukes of Finland, East Gothland, and Södermanland, he was always jealous and hostile. He succeeded to the throne in 1560, inheriting the good will of his people, a full treasury, and a prosperous and happy kingdom, and inaugurated his reign by expending what seemed to the Swedes incredible sums on the festivals and pageants attending his coronation. Gustavus shortly before his death had made overtures of marriage to Elizabeth of England in behalf of his son, who, besides keeping alive these negotiations, opened similar ones with Mary queen of Scots, the princess Renée of Lorraine, and the princess of Hesse. But he married Katrina Mansdotter, the daughter of a corporal of his guards, whose beauty attracted his notice as she was selling fruits in the market place of Stockholm. Katrina seems to have been sincerely attached to Eric, and remained true to him amid all his misfortunes. In the beginning of his reign he displayed considerable executive ability, and made several judicious reforms in the civil and ecclesiastical government of the kingdom. He was a patron of science and art, and was the first to introduce the titles of baron and count into Sweden. During nearly his whole reign he was engaged in wars with Denmark and Poland, in the course of which the Swedes acquired from the latter country the Baltic provinces of Livonia and Revel, although at great cost of men and money, whole provinces having been depopulated to supply the army. The animosity of the king toward his brothers increased with years, and finally led to violent measures. John, who had married Catharine, daughter of Sigismund I., king of Poland, without Eric's consent, was besieged in his castle at Abo, and condemned to an imprisonment of four years, and the others were in constant fear of their lives. Assassination became frequent, and under the influence of the royal favorite, Göran Pehrssen, some of the oldest nobility, including the Sture family, were put to death. In the midst of these excesses Eric was attacked by madness, the effect of remorse, and for several days wandered alone in the forest. His brothers John and Charles at length rose in rebellion, and besieged Eric in Stockholm, who after some resistance capitulated, Sept. 30, 1568. He was deposed by the Swedish diet, and after languishing more than eight years in prison was poisoned by order of his brother John, who had succeeded to the throne.
ERICSSON, John, a Swedish engineer and physicist, born in the province of Wermeland in 1803. In 1814 he was appointed a cadet in the engineers, and in 1816 was employed as a leveller on the grand ship canal between the Baltic and the North sea. In 1820 he entered the Swedish army as an ensign, was soon promoted to a lieutenancy, and was employed in surveys in northern Sweden, attaining the rank of captain. In 1826 he visited England, with the view of introducing his invention of a flame engine; but with mineral fuel it proved a failure. Soon afterward he resigned his commission and devoted himself to mechanical pursuits. Numerous inventions followed, among others the steam boiler on the principle of artificial draft, which was extensively adopt-
