afford relief, and the numbness of the part affected, together with the other symptoms, continue to increase, a suppuration will immediately ensue. In this disease, the patient must avoid all acrid, sour, and salted provisions, and subsist entirely on mild, mucilaginous vegetables. Butter-milk, if used to a considerable extent, has been found of excellent service, and in some cases, even proved a specific remedy for ulcerated kidneys. Goats' milk, and the balsams of Copaiva, or Canada, have been recommended as eminently useful.—Those persons who are liable to frequent returns of inflammation, or obstructions, of the kidneys, ought rigidly to abstain from wines, and all ardent spirits; their food should be of the lightest kind, and easy of digestion: they must likewise not attempt to lie on feather-beds, or be covered too warm; never sleep on their back; and carefully take daily, though moderate, exercise.
Kidney-beans. See vol. i. p. 205.
KILDERKIN, a liquid measure, consisting of two firkins; and two kilderkins make a barrel.—See Firkin.
KILN, a stove used in various manutactures. It also denotes a building for the admission of heat, in order to dry or burn certain materials deposited in such an edifice.—See Brick, Malt, and Lime.
In 1796, a patent was granted to Mr. I. Pepper, of Newcastle-under-Line, for his invention of a kiln, for the purpose of drying malt or other grain. As, however, this patent is not expired, and the ingenious inventor's plan would be understood only by architects, or builders, the curious reader will resort to the 5th vol. of the Repertory of Arts, &c. where it is illustrated with two engravings.
KING-FISHER, or Alcedo, L. a genus of birds frequenting every quarter of the world, and comprising numerous species; the principal of which is the ispida, or common king-fisher.
This bird is about the size of a swallow; of a clumsy shape; and the bill disproportionately long. But the great beauty and variety of its plumage amply atone for its inelegant form. The crown of its head, and the coverts of its wings, are of a deep blackish green, spotted with a bright azure tint; the back and tail exhibit the most resplendent shades: the whole interior side ot the body is of an orange cast; and the tail, consisting of twelve feathers, presents a rich deep blue. When flying, in a bright day, the plumage of this bird exhibits a variety of the most dazzling colours.
The female king-fisher constructs her nest in holes scooped out of the sides of cliffs, to the depth of 3 feet; and deposits from five to nine eggs, of a semi-transparent white. She begins to lay early in the season, and excludes her first brood about the month of April; as the period of incubation does not exceed twenty days. While she is brooding, the male plentifully supplies her with fish; and, unlike most other birds, the female in that season is muscular and plump.
King-fishers are the most rapacious little animals that skim the deep; and, though of diminutive size, they devour almost incredible numbers of fish. Hence, their flesh is unfit to be eaten; but their beautiful plumage retains its lustre longer than that of any other bird.
