Page:Willich, A. F. M. - The Domestic Encyclopædia (Vol. 1, 1802).djvu/524

49°] C H A miuately "to remedies which are extremely precarious for plethoric, or very irritable constitutions, and sometimes productive of dangerous effects. Hence females, in parti- cular, ought never to take them, without proper advice. CHAMBER, in building, apart of a lodging, or a partition of an apartment, usually intended for the accommodation of beds. We can- not enter into an explanation of Privy Chamher, Chambers of Jus- tice, Commerce, &c. as these are unconnected with our purpose : hence we shall only observe, that we have already given a few direc- tions for correcting a vitiated at- mosphere, particularly that of ied- ckamlers (see Air, p. 22 ; and Bed-room, p. 211); so that we may conclude this article with a short account of a curious mode of cooling the air in rooms, frequently pra6tised by the Germans. In the hot days of summer, es- pecially in houses exposed to the meridian sun, a capacious vessel filled with cold water is plated in the middle of a room ; and a few green branches (or as many as it will hold), of a vigorous lime, birch, or wi'.low-tree, are plunged with their lower ends into the fluid. By this easy expedient, the apartment will, in a short time, be rendered much cooler; as the evaporation of water produces ibis desirable effect, in sultry weather, without any de- triment to health. Besides, there can be no doubt, that the. exhala- tion of green plants, under the in- fluence of the solar rays, greatly tends to purify the air ; and conse- quently deserves every attention of persons liable to pulmonary, or other complaints, in which the orinns of respiration are affecled. CHAMOMILE, Jntltemh, L. CH A a genus of plants comprising 2t species: of these, five only are indigenous, the principal of which are the three following : 1 . The nolilis, or common cha- momile, also called sweet-scented, or Roman chamomile, growing in sunny meadows and pastures, most plentifully in Cornwall, and also, in other parts of England. Its creep- ing stalks shoot forth branches, and these again strike root : the leaves and flowers have a strong, though not ungrateful, aromatic smell, and a bitter, nauseous taste. They afford an essential oil. An infusion of the flowers taken luke- warm, is antispasmodic; and cold, a stomachic. In large quantities, the former is apt to excite vomit- ing. Dr. Withering asserts, that the powdered flowers have cured agues, even when bark had failed, but ought to be taken in considerable doses ; we suppose from one to two drams ever}- other hour, to be repeated six or eight times during the remission of the paroxysm. Both tire leaves and flowers of the chamomile possess remarkable antiseptic properties, and are therefore used in fomen- tations, and poultices. From their antispasmodic powers, they are fre- quently found to relieve pain, espe- cially in complaints of the kidneys, and in childbed. 2. The Co tula, fetid chamomile, May- weed, or Mathen; which grows in corn-fields, on road sides, and borders of dung-hills : it is a troublesome weed in tilled lands, very ungrateful and disagreeable to bees, and not relished by tidier horses, cows, sheep, goats, OX swine; but toads are said to be fond of it. By its uncommon acrimony, it frequently blisters the skin of reapers. Notwithstanding its