Page:Willich, A. F. M. - The Domestic Encyclopædia (Vol. 4, 1802).djvu/23

RUP 6reu,. it often proceeds from crying, obstru6tion of the. bowels^ flatu- lence, and the negleft of nurses. It-luis also been remarked, thatthe iiihabitants of those countries where oil forms a considerable article of diet, are exceedingly liable to rup- tures. "" . Cure : The first objed should be to reduce the protruded parts, be- fore a strangulation takes place. For this purpose, the patient must be laid on his back ; the head being low, and the breech elevated by pillows. Warm fomentations of rnild aromatic and emollient sub- stances, such as cliamomile-flowers, h>allows, &c. are next to be em- plbyedj the effe6ts of which uill be greatly promoted by injeding a decoftion of similar herbs with a table spoonful or two of sweet oil. After having persevered in these applications for some time, at- tempts should be made to reduce tl>e tumor by gentle pressure ; and, if this prove ineffectual, greater force must be used, yet so that the ope- rator, wliile he presses with the palm of his hand, may re-condu6t the projecting part with his fingers, tlirough the same aperture through which it had been protruded, close- ly- following its. natural direction, Thas, if the hernia be in the groin or scrotum, the pressure must be made obliquely upwards and out- wards ; in femoral cases, it should be performed direCtly upwards ; and umbilical ruptures are reposed by compressing then* backwards. The greatest benefit has been derived from the application of vi- triolic aether to the swelling, so as to evaporate this volatile liquor by gradually dropping it on the part affected. If the patient be of a plethoric habit, copious bleeding becomes necessary 5 as it occasions RUS [3 relaxation, and prevents inflamma- tion. In order to preserve the part in its natural situation, and to pre- vent a relapse, after it has been re- duced, a sufficient degree of pres- sure must be applied to the rup- tured spot ; an objeCt which will be most effeftuallyattained by a spring truss. This instrument is manu- factured in a superior manner by- Mr. Savigny, of King-sti-eet, Co- vent-garden. The reduSHon of umlilical rup- tures, if timely undertaken, i& mostly effected by the application of a bandage. — If, however, the treatment before stated, should not be attended with success, but the pain and other symptoms increase, recourse ought immediately to be bad to a skilful surgeon j as pro- crastination may render the malady incurable. RUPTURE- WORT,theSMooTH, or Heniiaria glabra, L, an indige- nous perennial plant, which grows ' in gravelly soils, and flowers in the'-i! montlis of July and August. — ^This " herb is. according to Dr. Wither- ing, both saline and astringent; its expressed juice removes specks from the eyes ; and, when taken internally, it is likewise said to in- ciease the secretions by the kid- nies.— -Bautsch has employed it in tanning.' — Cows and horses eat die plant ; and, though rejeSed by hogs ai>d goats, it is much relished by sheep. RUSH, or Juncus, L. a genus of plants, comprising 36 species, of which, according to Dr. Wither- ing 17, but in the opinion of Dr. Smith 19, are indigenous : of these, the following are the principal j viz. - ■' . ' . - . 1 . • The squarrosus. See' Mos s- - RUSH. ■ • . 2. The conglomeratus, Round- B 2 HEADBDj