Page:Willich, A. F. M. - The Domestic Encyclopædia (Vol. 1, 1802).djvu/488

45+] CAT flammation, and frequently a great number of boils. This applica- tion should be continued (the plaster being occasionally chang- ed), for three weeks, a month, or longer, if necessary. Although seemingly a trifling precaution, yet it is by no means a useless one, to the patient, net to expose his shoulders to the cold air, while in bed, during the night ; but to take care that they be kept warm, by drawing the bed-clothes up to his neck, when he reposes. If, notwithstanding these, and other means, the rough should continue dry, or be unattended with a proper expectoration, and together with a soreness, produce shooting pains through the. breast, and between the shoulders, accom- panied with difficulty of breathing, flushes ef the cheeks after meals, a burning sensation in the hands and feet, and other symptoms of a hectic fever, no time must be lost, as there is the greatest reason to apprehend, that some acrimony in the habit is determined to the ten- der ' substance of the lungs, and tl at consequently tubercular sup- purations will fohow. In this cri- tical and dang: tation, the Doctor observes, from long expe- rience, that the patient will derive the greatest benefit from a change of air, and bv strictly adhering to a diet, consisting of asses" milk and vegetables. — His advice concern- ing large bleedings, appears to us liable to many oojecti CATCHWEED, (he Trail- ing, or German Madwort, Aspe- rugo procuvdens, L. an indige- nous plant, growing near roads, and hmengst rubbish. Its angular stem bears blue, or purple flowers, prjl and May. • It is commo;> CAT nearBuxley, in Sussex, and in Holy Island. Sheep are exceedingly fond of this weed; and its tender leaves may be dressed and eaten as an excel- lent culinary vegetable. There is another plant to which Dr. Withering gives the name of Catchweed, namely, the Ga- lium Aparine, L. ; but which is more generally denominated Clea- ver's Goosgrass : hence we propose to treat of it under that article. CATECHU, or Mimosa C<>- techu, L. or sensitive plant, which is a native of the East Indies, and comprises above sixty species. From this plant is produced the extract denominated catechu, which was for a long time erro- neously called Terra Japonica, from the earthy particles it con- tains; but wl ich are entirely ad- ventitious, and consist of impu- rities adhering to it, while in the furnaces, or kilns, in which it is prepared'. Ihe extract of Catechu, when in its purest state, is a dry sub- stance, which may be reduced to powder, and almost entirely dis- solved in water, or in spirits wine. It is a mjld, but excellent astringent, and leaves in the mouth an agreeable sweetness. — This me- dicine is more particularly useful in alvine fluxes; and where, on tl is account, astringents become necessary, it is, perhaps, the most salutarv. It is also successfully employed in complaints peculiar to females, laxity and debility of the viscera, in general, and in various other diseases, which require strengthening remedies. When dissolved in the mouth, the catechu has frequently afforded relief for weak und ulcerated gums,