Page:Willich, A. F. M. - The Domestic Encyclopædia (Vol. 3, 1802).djvu/283

NET to which the nerves are liable; but as the former require immediate chirurgical assistance, we siiail only rea;ark, that (he nerves of several animals are larger than those of man ; though, possessing a very hiferior degree of sensation. In- deed, the mental capacities of be- ings are by no means proportioned to the size oi' theii nerves, proceed- ing from the brain : — amphit)ious animals, for instance, possess strong nerves, in proportion to the dimi- nutive size of their brain ; and are nevertheless uncommonly dull of appre!iension, and even insensible. On the contrary, children affected with the rickets, and persons of lean habits, have a large brain, and very delicate nerves ; yet they pos- sess not only a high degree of men- tal vigour, but likewise uncommon acuteness in the perceptions of sense. Nervous diseases are 'supposed to arise from an increased sensibility of the nerves, under the influence of some stimulus; and are princi- pally distingtushed by their predo- minant painful symptoms ; for ni- stance, violent, head-ach, tooth- ach, face-ach, Sec. Hence the absurdity of classing almost every complaint, the origin of which is not obvious, among thewtrraz/*, and to misapply this terra to disorders of a very different nature, such as general weakress, occasioned by muscular relaxation, ov mental imbecility, peevishness, want of resolution, ike. if connected with bodily causes, however distant or concealed. NETTLE, or Urlica, L. a genus of plants, comprising 57 species, three of which are natives of Bri- tain ; namely, 1. The urem, csr Lesser Sting- NET {2^1 iKG Nettle, which is frequent on rubbish and cultivated lands ; it flowers from July to September.-^ The 1 aves of this species, accord- ing to LiNN.^us, are gathered and cut to pieces, in order to be mixed with the food of young turkies:— the whole plant is refused by every kind of cattle, and ought therefore to be carefully extirpated from pas- tures, 2. The dioica, or Commo::*' Nettle, grows on ditch-banks, and among rubbish ; it flowers in the month of July. This species has a square, lirm stem, three or four feet high, with long-pointed, serrated leaves, that are furnished with stings, having at their base small vesicles full of a corrosive liquor; and which, on being touch- ed, excite a blister, accompanied with a burning and painful sensa- tion . The Common Nettle, though ge- nerally considered as a noxious weed, is of extensive utility : it.s young tops m ly be boiled during the spring, and eaten as a substi- tute for greens ; being not only nourishing, but mildly aperient. In the Western Islands of Scotland, a rennet is prepared, by adding a quart of salt to three pints of a strong dccoiilion of nettles ; a table- spoonful of which is said to be suf- iicient to coagulate a bowl of milk. ^^The leaves are employed for feeding poultry; and especially in the winter, when boiled, they pro- mote the laying of eggs : — in a fresh state, they arc refused by horses, sheep, goats, cows, and hogs; though asses devour them eagerly. Wiien dry, they are eaten by cows, for which they are an ex- cellent food, increasing the quanti- ty, and improving the quality, of S 3 theij