Page:Willich, A. F. M. - The Domestic Encyclopædia (Vol. 2, 1802).djvu/140

tl& DAN D A N heated atmosbpere of a crowded assembly, produces a temporary fever, even in the bye-standers, who inspire an air exceedingly vi- tiated by (he breath of persons ap- parently in a semi-delirious trance, and by the suffocating vapour of candles. The blood is unnaturally propelled to the breast and head — hence arise frequent colds, coughs, and periodical head-achs ; perspi- ration is wantonly checked $ the lungs are forcibly expanded, and the foundation is laid for that avenging disease, tonsmnptip?,, which spares neither rank, age, nor sex, and often exterminates whole families. On the other hand, we do not presume to discourage the shorter and less fatiguing dances, such as minuets and poloigneses, which are not only modest and becoming, but contribute to the graceful form and motion of the body. Every provident parent, who feels the value of sound and healthy chil- dren, will readily concur with us in opinion, that so precarious a public amusement ought to be re- gulated by the State, or at least controlled by the superior sense of the aged ; and not to be absolutely intrusted to the choice or caprice of youth, the gay, and the giddy.-— See Balls. Dane-wort. See Dwarf El- der. DANDELION, the Common, or Lco/itodon Taraxacum, L. is an indigenous, perennial plant, grow- ing in meadows and pastures, on road-sides, ditch-banks, fee, Jt produces yellow flowers, which blow from April to September, and have the remarkable property of expanding early in the morning, and closing in the evening, in the spring, wiiile the leaves are white, and scarcely unfolded, they are an excellent ingredient in salads. In France, the roots and leaves are eaten with bread and butter. This plant is also relished by goats, and especially by hogs, who devour it eagerly ; but sheep and cows dislike it, and horses to- tally refuse it : the seeds also sup- port the smaller birds, which are extremely fond of them. The root, leaves, and stalk, contain a large proportion of bitter milky juice, which possesses considerable activity. Its more immediate ope* ration is to remove visceral obstruc- tions, and promote the urinary discharge. The dose prescribed by Boerhaave, for this purpose, is 4 ounces, to be taken three or four times a day j and we can, from experience, corroborate its great efheacy in dropsical, and those complaints which are connected with a disordered si.ate of the first passages ; though we have direct- ed it to be taken in much smaller doses. The ancient Greek physi- cians were better acquainted with the* properties of this excellent ve- getable, than the modern practiti- oners, who appear to be more anxi- ous to introduce exotics imported from distant countries, than to as* certain the qualities of those numer- ous medicinal plants which grow in their own climate. In short, we are induced to believe, that if the Great Frederic of Prussia had complied with the excellent prescription of the late Dr. Zim- merman, who directed the extract of dandelion to be taken in mode- rate portions ,of two table-spoon- fuls each time, that extraordinary hero and philosopher would have survived his last attack of dropsy, for many years ; because his con- stitution was unimpaired, and his naiad