Page:Willich, A. F. M. - The Domestic Encyclopædia (Vol. 2, 1802).djvu/166

146] D I S the cold-bath, should be employed, conjointly with such strengthening remedies as are conformable to the nature of the case, and the consti- tution of the individual. By these means, the disease has in many instances been controlled in its pro- gress ; though a radical cure can- not always be effected. Several machines and instruments have been invented by ingenious men, for removing distortions of the spine, by pressure; but as their application requires considerable skill and attention, we think it our duty to caution those, who may be obliged to resort to such expedients, against the pretensions of the illi- terate. In many cases, however, where the patient was not too long neglecfed, the use of the common collar has been attended with ad- vantage. There is another con- trivance,, called spinal stays, with certain machinery adapted to them, which was invented in France, and afterwards introduced into this country by the late Mr. P. Jones, who, on account of the improve- ments he made on this article, is generally considered as the original inventor. Still, therefore, great merit is due to that skilful man ; and as his widow, for the benefit pf her family, now conduces the business (No. 23, Charlotte-street, Bedford-square), and has been in ihc constant habit of personally at- tending on female-, we venture to recommend her to the patronage of the public. Causes similar to those before enumerated, also produce distor- tions of the limbs. As, however, this subjc c.t is more connected with the practice of surgery than that of domestic medicine, we decline the farther discussion of it ; having al- ready communicated a few appro- DIT priate remarks (see vol. i. p. 155), under the head of Bandv-legs. DITCH, in agriculture, a com- mon fence, or inclosure, in marshes or other wet lands, where hedges cannot be conveniently planted. Ditches are generally allowed six feet in width at the side of broad highways, and five feet in commons. But those trenches dug at the foot of the bank on which the quick is raised, are in general only three feet wide at the top, one at the bottom, and two feet deep. Thus, each side acquires a slope, which is of great advantage : for, in ditches made perpendicular, the sides are continually washing down ; and if cattle descend into a narrow- bottomed ditch, they have no room to turn themselves, so as to crop and injure the quick. Where a ditch is four feet wide, it should be two and a half deep ; and if it con- sist of five in width, it ought to be three in depth ; or if it be wider, the depth should be increased in proportion. Ditching, Land : See Land. Dittandek • See Pepper- wort. DITTANY, the White, or Dlclamnus Frax'inella, L. an exotic perennial plant, growing in France, Germany, and Italy. Its thick pungent and bitter root, produces annually erect stalks, which bear loose spiles of white, red, and purple flowers, in June and July. This plant ma}' be easily propa- gated in gardens, either by seeds, or by dividing the roots ; it is emi- nently calculated for ornamenting borders. In smell and taste, the leaves of the dittanv n senible, lemon-thyme, butpossess a stronger aromatic flavour, as well a.-> a greater degree of pungency: when fresh, they yield, on expression, a consi- derable