Page:Willich, A. F. M. - The Domestic Encyclopædia (Vol. 4, 1802).djvu/376

542] W O L with caustic soap-boilers' Ity : in this simple manner, a daFk-green decodlion of a blueish shade ■wiW be obtained ; and, after clarifying the liquor, it will form a blue pre- cipitate} which, dissolved iu oil of vitriol, and properly diluted, im- parts a beautiful colour to woollen cloth. Farther, even the leaves, in a state of fermentation with pure water, on adding a small portion of a caustic alkaline ley, afford a fine blue sediment, resembling the true indigo. WOLFs-BANE, the Large Blue, or Monk's-Hood, Aconi- tum Napellus, L. is an exotic pe- rennial, growing wild in the moun- tainous parts of Switzerland and France. — ^The juice of this plant j)ossesses a disagreeable smell, and an acrid taste : of the latter, how- ever, it is in a great measure di- vested by inspissation. Being one of the most aftive vegetable poi- sons, when taken in large portions, it excites sickness, vomiting, di- arrhoea, giddiness, delirium, faint- ing, cold sweats, convulsions, and death. Dr. Stoehk, of Vienna, informs us, that the Wolfs-bane is a very effefiual remedy in glandular swell- ings, the itch, amaurosis, in gouty and rheumatic pains, intermittent fevers, and in convulsions. -He prescribed 10 grains of the pow- der to be taken at night, andin the morning ; but the dose is to be gradually increased to 6 grains of the inspissated juice, twice every day. Other physicians have em- ployed a tinfture prepared of one part of the dry, pulverized leaves of this herb, and six parts of spirjt of wine ; in doses of 40 drops. — In Britain, however, this remedy jfias not answered the high expec- laUons fomjed of its virtues j though WOO it doubtless is a very a6tive, and • useful medicinal plant, if duly pre- pared, and regularly prescribed. A decodion of the roots of tlic Wolf's-bane, affords an efficacious liquor for destroying hugs : — if this root be reduced to powder, mixed with oatmeal and honey, or any other palatable vehicle, and thus exposed to rats or mice, it will cor- rode and inflame their intestines, so as speedily to prove a fatal re- past. — The juice expressed from this plant, is occasionally poured on flesh, and thus employed as a bait to allure wolves, foxes, and other beasts of prey. Lastly, it is remarkable, that the best antidote for the poison of the Monk's-hood, is asserted to be the root of the anthora, a species of the same genus, called healthful, or wholesome Monk's-hood. WoLF-FisH. See Sea-wolp, WOLVES-TEETH, in farriery, frequently occur in old horses, when the upper bones of the mouth considerably proje6t over the lower qnes : thus, the almost only incon- venience resulting from this cir- cumstance is, that the points of the teeth prick,,and lacerate, either the tongue or gums, and thus distress the animal when feeding. — In or- der to remedy such defed;, the su- perfluous prominences, or unequal points of the teeth, may be filed down} by which simple expedient, these useful bones will be reduced to thejr natural size. WoLVEREKE. SeC BeAR, WOOD, denotes the fibrous sub- stance, of which the branches, trunks, and roots of trees, are print ipally composed. Having already stated the most approved methods of seasoning wood, under the article Timber, we shall at present diredt our at- tcRlioa