Page:Willich, A. F. M. - The Domestic Encyclopædia (Vol. 4, 1802).djvu/360

Ii6] WHI elegant shape, rarely exceeding 10 or 12 inches in length, and gene- rally weighing from 8 to l6 oz. During the spring, extensive fihoals of whitings frequent the British seas; but seldom come nearer the shore than within half a mile, or retire farther from it, than about three miles. — ^They are caught in considerable numbers by the hook and line, and afford great diversion:— in the rivers Thames and Mftdway, these fish are pro- hibited to be taken, if less than six inches in length: nor are they al- lowed to be caught at any season, excepting from Michaelmas to Em- ber-week. As an article of diet, the whit- ing is justly valued j being exceed- ingly delicate, tender, and nutri- tious; so that it affords proper ali- ment for invalids, and persons having a weak digestion. Whiting, in Mineralogy. See Chalk. WHITLOW, or Whitloe, a painful swelling of the extremities of the fingers, beneath the nails, |§nd usually terminating in a dis- charge of serous fluid, that is fre- quently so acrid as to corrode the periosteum, or membrane lining the bones, which thus become ca- rious. It is always attended with inflammation, and sometimes to so violent a degree as to affeGt the whole arm. Where whitloes arise from ex- ternal causes, it will be proper to apply emollient poultices, in order to efFe6t a suppuration. Should such tumors, however, proceed from unknown causes, it will be advisable to apply a few leeches, and afterwards ardent spirits, or other astringents; but, if the bones have already become carious, a WID total or partial removal of the af* feded part can alone effect a cure. The following preparation has been extolled, as being very efficacious in common cases of whitloes j though we cannot vouch for its success : — ^Take equal parts of pel- litory of the wall, previously bruis- ed, and hog's-lard; let them be properly mixed, folded in several papers, and surrounded with wood- embers, of such a degree of heat as to incorporate the ingredients, with- out burning the covering. The ointment, thus prepared, must be spread on a piece of soft linen, and applied to the whitloe, two or three limes every day, till the tumor be healed. WHITLOW-GRASS,the Com- mon, or Nailwort, Draba ver- na, L, a native plant, growing on walls and in dry pastures ; blowing in the months of March and April. According to Dr. Witheking, the Nailwort is one of the earliest flow- ering plants, and may be used as salad. It is also eaten by horses, sheep, and goats ; but not relished by cows, and b totally refused by hogs. Whortlebebry, the Red. See Bilberry. WIDGEON, the Red-headed, or Alias ferina, L. a bird of pas- sage, frequenting fenny places in the winter season : its breast is black ; the back and coverts of the wings are of a pale grey, intermix- ed with narrow black lines; and thf legs are of a lead colour. Widgeons subsist on small fish of every kind ; their flight is rapid; and they frequently assocwte with wild Ducks, Teal, and other aqua- tic birds. Considerable numbers of the former fowl are exposed for sale in the markets oi the metropo- lis.