Page:Willich, A. F. M. - The Domestic Encyclopædia (Vol. 3, 1802).djvu/296

274] N U TL airy, so that their young inhabi- tants may have sutHcient room to exircise themselves, when the in- clemeiicy of the weather prevents them from partaking of the bene- fit of the open air. Too many windows, however, afford too strong a light for infantine eyes, and die rays of the sun are, to their weak organs, not less hurtful tlian close walls, and dark apart- ments. Cleanliness ought particularly to be attended to; and every care should be taken to render the air of nurseries perfedly dry and pure. Whatever tends to corrupt the atmospliere, must therefoJ-e be studiously avoided. No damp li- nen, or swaddling clothes, should be washed, or suspended for drying in such apartments ; nor should any provisions, especially animal food, be cooked there ; for all these processes vitiate the atmos- phere, and produce exhalations which are highly injurious to the eves of infants; frequently occa- sioning chronic inflammations in those organs. The nursery ought, likewise, to be carefully swept everv day, while the children should be removed at least into an- other room, if the Ayeather pre- vent them trom making excursions abroad. Lastly, in case the air of the nursery has become corrupted by accident, the windows should be , frequently opened, to promote its puritication, by the influence of tiie fresh atmosphere, which is far pre- ferable to tuniigations with frank- incense, or similar aromatics ; for, though such perfumes dissipate the otfensive smell for tlie moment, they introduce a stupefying vapour tl;at is extremely hurttul, especially NttT if the children be descended I'rotfX weakly parents. NUTMEG-TREE, or %m- fica moschata, L. an exotic plant growing in India ; resembling in size and growth the common cher- ry-tree ; and bearing fruit tl>rough- out the year. • Nutmegs have long been employ- ed both for culinary and medicinal purposes. On distilling them, one pound of this fruit atfords, accord- ing to Gleditsch, only four or five drams of essential oil, which possesses the flavour of the spice itself. An inspissated decoftion produces an extract of an unctuous, slightly bitterish taste, which is somewhat astringent. Redtified spirit extratls the whole virtue of nutmegs by infusion. When heat- ed, tliis spice hkewise yields by expression a large portion of a lim- pid yellow oil, namely, four or five ounces from every pound ;. and which, on cooling, concretes into a soapy consistence. In the Island of Banda, the wholcr fruit of the nutmeg-tree is preserv- ed, by boiling it first in water, and afterwards in syrup ; or by pick- Ihig it in briiie, vinegar, &c. in a manner similar to walnuts. Willi respeft to their efteSs on the human body, nutmegs are strongly aromatic, stomachic, and astringent : hence this drug has often been used for diarrhoeas and dysenteries, in doses from 10 to 20 grains in powder, or in larger quantities, when infused in Port- wine. In violent head-achs, aris- ing from a debilitated stomach, small doses of this medicine have frequently been tound of real ser- vice ; but, if injudiciously em- ployed, it is apt to alFedt the head, not ualike opium aad other power- M