Page:Willich, A. F. M. - The Domestic Encyclopædia (Vol. 1, 1802).djvu/317

BLI A, The box, with its several divi- sions, containing the different pegs, bars, &c. with which the rules in arithmetic are to be performed. — ■ B, The cover, which, when turned back, and standing on its feet as represented, shews the holes where- in the pegs and bars are occasionally placed to exhibit the value of the figures. — C, The pegs, marked in such manner as to enable the blind person to distinguish by the touch, what each peg is intended to repre- sent, when placed in the holes in the cover B. A complete specimen of this ma- chine may be seen in the Reposi- tory of the Society, Adelphi-build- ings, London. With respect to the education of the blind, we have already remark- ed, that it deserves public sympa- thy, and the interposition of the le- gislature ,- as their natural industry, and persevering application, will enable them to overcome the great- est difficulties, and amply repay the trouble and expence bestowed on their mechanical, or literary, ac- quirements. To strengthen their faculties, and preserve their health, Hind children should never be suf- fered to remain idle, so that during the hours of recreation, they ought to take suitable exercise, such as riding on horseback, walking out in fair weather, the use of dumb-bells, the bath-chair, &c. — In regard to diet, their meals should be tempe- rate, light, and of easy digestion. Vegetables the most farinaceous, and least acescent, should be pre- ferred to animal food. Neither fermented liquors, nor ardent spi- rits, should be given them, except in cases of general debility. Tea is likewise pernicious ; and their regu- lar drink ought to consist of equal BLI [287 parts of milk and water : a little chocolate, and coffee, may occa- sionally be granted; but infusions of balm, sage, or ground- ivy, are moro wholesome. Tobacco and snuff must be absolutely prohibited ; and, on the whole, blind persons should neither be too much restricted to the observance of a rigid system of diet, nor allowed to eat and drink whatever is suggested by their own fancy : in the former case, they are apt to become pitiable slaves to custom ; and, in the latter, it is a shameful dereliction of duty in those whom Providence has enabled to see, and direct their affairs. Blindness, in farrier)', is a disease incident to the eyes of horses, but more particularly to those of an iron grey, or dapple- grey, colour; and is supposed to proceed from riding them too hard. or backing them at too early an age. This disorder may be dis- covered bv the walk or step, which, in a blind animal, is always un- certain and unequal, when led ; but, if he be mounted by an ex- pert horseman, an apprehension of the spur may induce him to move with more freedom, so that the blindness, can scarcely be per- ceived. A horse may also be known to have lost his sight, if observed constantly to prick up his ears, and move them backwards and forwards, on hearing any per- son enter the stable. The ordinary cause of blindness in horses, is attributed by Dr. Lower to a spongy excrescence growing in one, and sometimes in two or three places of the coloured part of the iris, or which being ultimately over-grown, covers the pupil when tht; horse is brought into