i4o] MAD alum to be dissolved in three qnnii^ fifdistil'.ecl. water previously boilcci in a c!an glazed vessel, which is to be set over the iire. As soon as the s/^jlutinn begins to simmer, it ought to be withdrawn, and two ounces of the best Dutch madder added ; after which the mixture is to be boiled once or tv^ice, removed from the fire, and tiltred through clean white paper. The liquor, thus strained, is now suffered to subside for a night; when the clear fluid must be poured into the glazed pot, heated over the fire, antl a strained solution of salt of tartar gradually introduced, till the maddtr be wholly precipitated. — This mixture is next to be filtered, and boiling distilled water poured on the red powder, till the fluid no longer acquires a saline taste. It now remains only to dry the lake, which will be of a deep red colour ; but, if two parts of rnad- ■der be used to one of alum, the sliatle will be still deeper; and, if one part of the latter article be added to four of the former, it will produce a beautiful rose-co- lour. — See also Red. I'lhe root of the Common or Wild Madder, is an excellent de- tergent and aperient ; on which account it has been highly recom- mended in visceral obstructions, particularly of the uterus ; in coa- gulations of the blood, induced either by falls or bruises ; in the beginnir.g of dropsical complaints ; and especially in the rickets. — It may be given pulverized, in doses from 5 to 15 grains to children, and from half to a whole dram, three or four times a day, to adults. When taken interiially, it possesses the remarkable property of tinging the urine with a deep red colour 3 and produces similar n A D cfFeSs on the bones of animals, if eaten among other food. Madder-roots pay, on importa* tion a doty of 5s, l|d. per cwt. and are subjciSt to a convoy-duty of 2<. 3d. per cwt. The same duty is paid for the drug imported in a manufadured state. Tliis ' root forms an important article for dyeing ; and, in order to encourage its cultivation, the Slsfe Geo. II. c. 35, subjetis persons convifted of stealing or destroying madder-roots, to make salisfadioii for damages, at the discretion of the magibtrate, for the first offence j or, in case of non-payment, the cimvicl is liable to be committed to the house of correftion for one montb, or to be whipped ; for the second lre,spass, such offender is to be conlined in the house of cor- rection fur three months ; provided the prosecution be commenced within thirty days. — Those who wish to acquire a more intimate knowledge of the culture, &c. of this profitable drug, will be grati- fied by the peiTisal of Mr. Mil- lek's " Method of cultivating Madder" &c. (4to. 1758, 2s.6d.> in which the subjedt is clearly- treated, and illustrated with plates. Madnep. See Cow-parsnip-. MADNESS, or Mania, one of the most distressing afflidions which humbles human nature. It is usually divided into two kinds, vtclancholy, and raving ; but as they are so nearly allied to, "and frequently alternate with each other, we shall treat of both in one conne£ted view. The distinguishing charafter of melancholic patients, is a gloomy and dejettcd countenance, for
hich no real cause can be assign-
ed. They are seized with fear and trenibiing-, so that it ig difficult to
