Page:Willich, A. F. M. - The Domestic Encyclopædia (Vol. 3, 1802).djvu/437

POK and the antidotes given, together with their operation, should be minutely inquired into, as well as the efFeds resulting from this un- fortunate casualty, such as palsy, apoplexy, colic, &c. Where poison has been recently swallowed, it may be discharged either by means of an emetic, or by tickling the throat with a fea- ther, and administering such a quantity of oil, mixed with milk, as the patient is able to drink. But, if the accident be discovered several hours afier it has happened, eme- tics would be produtitive of fatal consequences : it will, therefore, be advisable to prevail on the pa- tient to take large draughts of luke- warm water, milk an4 oil, and to resort to tepid bathing. POKER, a well-known instru- ment, generally manufaftured of iron 5 and employed for stirring the fire. As many casualties occur from negligence, or imprudence, in leaving pokers in the fire, we shall state the following expedient, by which they may in future be pre- vented. It consists simply in welu- ing or soldering a small cross of iron (proje^llng about an inch and a half each wa}'), immediately above the square part of the poker, called the l-it. By this contrivance, the instrument cannot be thrust into the fire farther than such bit ; a circumstance of some advantage, where fire-irons are highly polish- ■ed. Besides, if the burning coals should yield, or any other accident happen, so as to cause the poker to slide out, it will probably be ar- rested on the edge of the fender. And, though it should fall on the hearth or carpet, neither of these will sustain any material injury ; g^ the heated part or Hi, will be POL [415 tliC elevated several inches above fl.oor. POLE-CAT, or Mustela puto- rius, L. an animal of prey, of a dusky-yellow colour, with whitish ears and muzzle : it inhabits most parts of Europe ; and, in tempera- ment, manners, disposition, and form, resembles the Martin. Pole- cats burrow under ground, forming a shallow retreat about two yards in length, v/hich gene- rally terminates under the roots of a large tree. — ^The female breeds in the spring, and brings forth three, four, and sometimes five young at a time. These predator} animals ap- proach our habitations, mount on the roofs, or take up their abode in hay-lofts, barns, and unfrequented places, whence they issue during the night, in search of prey. They occasion greater havock among poultry, bees,&c, than the Martin: with a view to obtain honey, they attack the hives in winter, and compel the bees to abandon them. When frightened, the pole-cat emits an exceedingly otfensive fetor ; which is so pungent and hurtful to fowls, that they sometimes fall down from the places where they roost; and thus become a prey to this quadruped. For a method of exterminating these depredators, we refer to tii^e article Martin. POLL-£^IL, in farriery, is an abscess formed in the sinuses be- tween the poll-bone, and the up- permost vertebrae of the neck of a horse. When this malady is cccasioned by blows, bruises, or any external violence, the swelled part should first be bathed with hot vinegar ; but, if the hair be fretted off, and a discharge ooze through the skin, ix fomen-