Page:Willich, A. F. M. - The Domestic Encyclopædia (Vol. 3, 1802).djvu/522

494] ^ I C a long handle, and cov'ereJ with a sheet of paper, or with a cabbage leaf. The pan is then pushed for- ward into that part of the oven ^vhere it is intended to be baked, and espeditiouslv inverted. A pro- per degree of heat will prevent the paste from spreading, and cause it to retain the farm of the essel. In this manner, pure rice-bread may be made ; which, when drawn out of the o^^en, is said to acquires fine yellow colour, similar to that of pastry glazed with the yolks of eggs. It is xcry wholesome and agreeable, but loses its good taste, if it be suffered to become stale. With respect to the properties of rice, we >hall only obs(.rve, that it is uncommonly natriiive, and may v.'ith great benefit be taken in di- arrhceas, dysenteries, and similar disorders. But it should not be eaten too frequently, or in too large quantities, by languid or de- bilitated persons ; as it is apt to produce in them flatalens^y and cpstiveness. Hence it will, in ge- neral, be advisable to eat this grain •with the addition of a little cinnamon, caraway, or similar spices, to pre- vent these disagreeable effefts ; es- pecially in those whose digestion is slow, or who are naturally of |)hleg- iDatic habits. RICKETS, 3 disease peculiar to infants from the age of ninemonths, to the third year ; and which sel- dom continues till they attain to puberty. Its principal symptoms are, a large head, a prominent fore- head, a relaxed skin, and swelling of the belly. The jo'nts acquire an unnatural size; the bones, espe- cially those of tiie legs and arms, become curved; and the cartilages ct the ribs being deprived of their elasticity, are unable to support the chest: in consequence of which. JlIC It proje^5ls and grows deformed. In the progress of this malady, the belly is extremely tumid and hard to the touch, particularly on the right side ; the teeth become black and carious ; and the general ema- ciation is such as to leave the pa* tient almost inanimate, having power only to move the neck and head. The /)7uriwfif/e cause of the dis- order is now understood to be a dc- Jiciency of the phosphate of lime, or animal gluten in the bones. : hence the latter are deprived of ti>at necessary strength and solicitty, in consequence of the prevailing debi- lity in the vessels, so that the for- mer, instead of being conveyed to the bones, is deposited in other parts of the body. Thus, we lind particles of lime often evacuated by the urine, or sonietimes lodged in the genitals. — See also Bones. Among the pre-disposing causes, we shall briefly mention, the ne- gleft of proper exercise, or what may be called had nuriuig; fre- quent exposure to damp or mephi- tic air in close habitations ; an im- proper system of living, with re- spect to food and drink ; for in- stance, watery and mealy substan- ces, particularly viscid pap, pastr)', fish, salt-meat, and other articles, too ditficult of digestion. Some- times, hi wever, it arises from the vitiated habits of parents ; or is consequent on other diseases, such as small-pox, measles, &c. Although the rickets do not, in general, prove fatal, when timely attended to, yet this aftettion is not unfrequently followed by a curva- ture, and even a dccav of the bonesj particularly those of the arms, legs, spine, to. In the cure of this malady, mild, opcnii;g, c.nd strengthening medi- cines