October to April, and on some of the peaks all the year round. While the mountain slopes provide ample pasture for the numerous herds of cattle and swine, fertile valleys yield olives, rice, saffron, wine, and grains in abundance. Animal products form the chief article of export. Silk is produced to some extent. In former times the district was considered of much strategical importance, owing to its inaccessibility, which rendered it especially fit as a protection for Naples. Population in 1881, 1,317,215; in 1901, 1,442,365. The inhabitants lead a pastoral life. Consult A. de Nino, Usi e costumi abruzzesi (Florence, 1879-91).
ABRUZZI, Prince Luigi Amadeo of Savoy-Aosta. Duke of the (1873 — ). An Italian traveler and Arctic explorer. He is the son of ex-King Amadeus of Spain, was born in Madrid, and studied at the naval college in Leghorn. In 1897 he attracted much attention by making the first ascent of Mount Saint Elias. On June 12, 1899, he set out on his voyage toward the North Pole, his plan being to leave his ship, the Stella Polare, in harbor, and send northward a series of sledge expeditions. He spent one winter in the Bay of Teplitz, and would have remained a second had not a serious injury to the vessel compelled his return. One of his sledge parties, under Captain Umberto Cagni, attained the northernmost latitude as yet reached (86° 33', 239.15 statute miles from the Pole). On September 6, 1900, he returned to Christiania. His explorations determined the northern coast of Franz-Josef Land and the non-existence of Petermann Land. The story is told in his book. On the "Polar Star" in the Arctic Sea (1903). Consult F. de Filippi, La spedizione di Luigi Amadeo di Savoia al Montr Sant' Elia (Milan, 1900).
AB'SALOM (Heb., father of peace). The
third son of King David (II. Samuel iii: 3; I.
Chronicles iii: 2), whose romantic career makes
him a prominent figure in Old Testament history.
Encountering the ill will of David through
slaying Amnon, another son of the King, in re-
venge for an outrage committed by Amnon upon
his sister Tamar (II. Samuel xiii), Absalom was
banished from his father's court, and more than
five years elapsed before he was again admitted
into the presence of his father (II. Samuel xiv).
A complete reconciliation, however, appeared out
of the question, and Absalom shrewdly laid his
plans to ingratiate himself in the hearts of the
people (II. Samuel xv: 1-6). When the moment
appeared ripe he organized a rebellion against
David, which soon assumed such dimensions as
to force the King and his court to leave Jeru-
salem and fly for refuge to the east of the Jordan.
Absalom entered Jerusalem, and the rebellion
would probably have been successful but for the
crafty intrigues of Hushai, who, while pretend-
ing to espouse the cause of Absalom, gave coun-
sel which enabled David and his adherents to
obtain time for gathering a following (II. Sam-
uel xv: 17). A decisive battle was then fought
"in the wood of Ephraim" (II. Samuel xviii: 6),
in which Absalom lost his life, according to
the narrative, Joab, chief counselor of David,
sent three darts into Absalom's heart while he
was hanging from an oak. in the branches of
which his flowing locks, while he was riding, be-
came entangled. With Absalom's death the re-
bellion came to an end (II. Samuel xviii: 7-17).
David is represented as having been profoundly
grieved at the death of his son, and this grief is a reflection of the impression made upon the people by the romantic career of Absalom. In- stead of denouncing him, the writer tells the story in a manner calculated to arouse at least partial sympathy for Absalom, who is described as a youth of extraordinary beauty and attrac- tiveness (II. Samuel xiv: 25-27). Absalom was buried near the spot where he died, and the grave was marked by a great heap of stones (II. Samuel xviii: 17). The date of Absalom's death may be fixed approximately at B.C. 980.
ABSALOM AND ACHITOPHEL, a kit'5-fel.
The title of a poetical satire by John Dryden,
published in 1681. Absalom represented the
Duke of Monmouth, illegitimate son of Charles
II., whose character is said to have resembled
that of the rebellious son of King David.
Achitophel, David's disloyal adviser, stood for
the Earl of Shaftesbury, against whom the satire
was directed. It was intended to justify King
Charles II. as against the Whig party. As a
political document it was extremely effective,
and it has been highly praised for its vigorous
literary qualities. The second part, published
in 1682, was added by Nahum Tate.
ABSALON, iib'sli-lon (1128-1201). A Danish
ecclesiastic, statesman, and general. He was
educated at Paris, and, during the reigns of Val-
demar I. and Canute VI., served as minister
and general. In 1158 he was chosen bishop
of Roeskilde, and in 1178 became archbishop
of Lund. Absalon aided in the formulation of
the code of Valdemar, and to his influence is
due the Historia Danica of Saxo Cirammaticus.
AB'SCESS (Lat. ab, abs, away + cedere, to go, Gk. ἀπόστημα, apostēma, distance). A collection of pus formed within some tissue or organ of the body where no cavity previously existed, and due to injury, toxication, or septic infection from bacteria. An abscess is thus formed: First, the capillary vessels become over-charged with blood, in consequence of inflammation. The fluid part of the blood, flowing very feebly, together with some of the white blood corpuscles, exudes through the walls of the capillary vessels and becomes pus. This matter gradually disintegrates the tissues, and so makes for itself a larger cavity, and frequently, by gradual dissolution of the adjacent parts, works its way either to the surface or to some natural cavity of the body. Pus thus making its appearance in a different part of the body from where it was formed, constitutes a "cold abscess." It also occurs that when the purulent matter does not find any outlet, either naturally or artificially, it is gradually absorbed. In abscesses superficially seated — either in or close under the skin — the early treatment consists chiefly in promoting the formation of pus by the application of moist and warm bandages or poultices, or limiting the process by the application of ice. The next step is the removal of the pus and provision of drainage. When this is too long delayed, even poisoning may ensue. An abscess must be regarded not as a disease in itself, but as the result of disease, or as an effort of nature to remove injurious matters from the system.
ABSCHATZ, iip'shats, Hans Assmann, Freiherr von (1646-99). A German poet of the second Silesian School. He was born at Würbitz, and studied at Strassburg and Leyden. He was appointed life deputy from the principality
