[Illustration: FIG. 4.]
In Fig. 4 we have a representation of the circlet of these hooklets, B, which are thirty-four in number; C gives various views of separate hooklets; _b_ is the base; _c_ the central extremity; _e_ the hooklets viewed upon their concave or inferior border. The dotted lines connecting _f_, _g_, _k_, represent the outer surface of the neck, and runs through the fixed point of the three hooks which move upon the central fixed process, as on the pivot.
The inhabitants of Iceland are said to suffer severely from the effects of the Echinococcus Humanus; it has been computed that a sixth of the population of the island are attacked by it.
=ECLECTIC REMEDIES.= These are medicines chiefly employed by a sect of American practitioners, self-styled "Eclectics." The medicinal properties appended to each of these preparations are those ascribed to them by the Eclectics themselves.
APOCYNIN. From the roots of _Apocynum_ and _Rosmifolium_. Given in jaundice, hepatic torpor, and constipation.--_Dose_, 1/2 to 2 gr.
ASCLEPEDIN. From _Asclepias tuberosa_. Expectorant, diaphoretic, and tonic.--_Dose_, 1 to 5 grains three times a day.
BAPTISTIN. From Wild Indigo. Given in liver affections.--_Dose_, 1/4 to 1/2 grain.
BAROSMIN. From _Buchu_. Diuretic, alterative, antispasmodic.--_Dose_, 2 to 4 grains.
CAULOPHYLLIN. From _Caulophyllum thalictroides_. Tonic and alterative, acts on the uterus.--_Dose_, 1/4 to 1 grain three times a day; as a parturient, 2 to 4 grains.
CERASEIN. From the _Cerasus virginiana_. Given as a substitute for quinine when this latter is inadmissible.--_Dose_, 5 to 10 gr.
CIMICIFUGIN. _Syn._ MACROTIN. From Black Snakeroot. Tonic, alterative, nervine, antiperiodic, and in chorea.--_Dose_, 1 to 6 gr.
CORNINE. From _Cornus Florida_ (Dogwood). Antiperiodic.--_Dose_, 10 grains.
EUPATORINE. From _Eupatoreum purpureum_. Diuretic.--_Dose_, 3 to 5 grains.
EUPHORBIN. From _Euphorbia corollata_. Emetic, cathartic, expectorant, and vermifuge.--_Dose_, 1 grain or less.
GELSEMIN. From _Gelsemium sempervirens_. Given in pneumonia, hysteria, and dysmenorrha.--_Dose_, 1/4 to 2 grains. This must not be confounded with the powerful alkaloid, Gelsimia.
GERANIN, or GERANIIN. From _Geranium maculatum_. Astringent.--_Dose_, 1 to 5 gr.
HAMAMELIN. From _Hamamelis Virginica_ (Witch hazel). Astringent.--_Dose_, 5 grains.
HYDRASTIN. From _Hydrastis Canadensis_. Tonic.--_Dose_, 3 to 5 grains.
This must not be confounded with the alkaloid Hydrasta.
IRIDIN. From the _Blue flag_. Alterative, sialagogue, anthelmintic.--_Dose_, 1/2 to 5 gr.
INGLANDIN. From _Butter-nut_. Given in chronic hepatic disorders and constipation.--_Dose_, 2 to 4 gr.
LEPTANDRIN. From _Leptandra Virginica_. Given in liver affections, chronic dysentery, diarrha, and typhus.--_Dose_, 2 to 4 gr.
LYCOPIN. From _Lycopus Virginicus_. Given in haemorrhage, diabetes, and dysentery.--_Dose_, 2 to 3 grains.
MYRICIN. From _Myrica cerifera_. Stimulant, astringent, and antispasmodic.--_Dose_, 2 to 10 grains.
POPULIN. From _Populus tremuloides_. Tonic and febrifuge.--_Dose_, 4 to 8 grains.
PRUNIN. From _Wild Cherry Bark_. Stimulant, tonic, and expectorant.--_Dose_, 1 to 2 gr.
RUMIN. From _Rumex crispus_. Action like rhubarb.--_Dose_, 3 grains.
SANGUINARIN. From _Sanguinaria Canadensis_. Hepatic and alterative.--_Dose_, 1/2 to 2 grains.
STILLINGIN. From _Stylingia sylvatica_. Given in bronchitis and laryngitis. Used externally as a stimulant. Internally, 1 drop with mucilage.
=EDELENZIANWURZELSAFT--Noble Gentian-root Juice--Enzian Extract--Extract of Gentian.= A water-clear, colourless Schnapps, which contains much fusel oil and has had some of the spirit removed, distilled from gentian plant.
(Hager.)
=EDIBLE EARTHS.= There seems little reason to doubt that the inhabitants of many countries, especially during famine and in times of scarcity, use certain kinds of earth as food. In Spain, a particular kind of earth known as _bucaro_ is eaten; the Russian peasant partakes of his _rock-flour_; the Thuringian of his _rock-butter_; the Swede, of his _bergmehl_ or _mountain meal_; the native of Java of an earth known as _teneampa_; the Hindoo, of the so-called _Patna earth_; and the Persian of a species of soil known as _Gheli Giveh_.
Mr Molvar has analysed an earth, eaten by the poorer classes of the Neograd district in Hungary, and finds it has the following composition:--
Carbonic acid 40357 Lime 51488 Magnesia 0110 Volatile matter 5545 Ferrous oxide 0158 Alumina 2272
As the volatile matter seemed to be the probable means of nourishment, it was subjected to a special examination, and was found to contain, besides empyreumatic substances, 0067 water, and 0010 nitrogen.
Dr Schmidt, a German chemist, gives the following as the composition of 100 parts of the air-dried powder from the coast of the White Sea:--
Water given off at 100 C 0260 Given off at a low red heat 0835 Alumina 40797 Ferric oxide 0310 Magnesia 0618 Lime traces Soda 1829 Potassa 9845 Silicic acid, trace of fluorine, and loss 45506
This earth is eaten by the Laplanders, who mix it with the flour of which they make their bread.
The Persian edible earth called _Gheli Giveh_ contains:--
+----------------------+------+ Magnesic carbonate 66963 +----------------------+------+ Calcic carbonate 23634 +----------------------+------+ Sodium chloride 3542 +----------------------+------+ Sodic sulphate 0293 +----------------------+------+ Sodic carbonate 0598 +----------------------+------+ Magnesic hydrate 1311 +----------------------+------+ Ferric oxide 0092 +----------------------+------+ Alumina 0227 +----------------------+------+ Silicic acid 0765 +----------------------+------+ Water combined at 120 1153 +----------------------+------+ Hydroscopic moisture 1422 +----------------------+------+
The 'Chemical News' (xxxvi, 202) contains the analysis by Mr Paterson Muir of a clay from Mackenzie County, South Island, New Zealand, which is largely eaten by sheep. It consists of:--
+------------------+------+ Silica 6125 +------------------+------+ Alumina 1797 +------------------+------+ Ferric oxide 572 +------------------+------+ Lime 191 +------------------+------+ Magnesia 087 +------------------+------+ Sodium chloride 369 +------------------+------+ Potassium chloride trace +------------------+------+ Water 731 +------------------+------+ Organic matter 177 +------------------+------+ 10049 +------------------+------+
See ANIMALCULae.
=EDULCORA'TION.= The affusion of water on any substance for the purpose of removing the portion soluble in that fluid. Edulcoration is usually performed by agitating or triturating the article with water, and removing the latter, after subsidence, by decantation or filtration. It is the method commonly adopted to purify precipitates and other powders which are insoluble in water. The washing-bottle is a most useful instrument for the edulcoration of precipitates. In its simplest form, it is a bottle fitted with two bent glass tubes, one drawn to a fine point and reaching to the bottom of the bottle, the other only entering the cork a few inches. By blowing down the latter tube, the water is forced out of the former in a fine stream. See WASH-BOTTLE.
=EEL.= _Syn._ ANGUILLA, L. A family of fishes belonging to the 'apodal'
section of the _malacopterygii_. At least three species of eels are found in this country--the 'sharp-nosed,' the 'broad-nosed,' and the 'snig.' The first, which is common in streams and lakes, attains the greatest size--sometimes 25 lbs. or even 30 lbs. The 'snig' is considered superior to other kinds for the table. As articles of food, eels are said to be laxative and far from wholesome. The fat (EEL FAT; ADEPS ANGUILLae, OLEUM A.) is among the simples of the Ph. L. 1618, and was formerly considered 'good against stripes,' and is even now used by the vulgar as a friction for stiff joints. For the table, eels are generally dressed by stewing, frying, baking, or potting, which is done in the usual way, the fish being cut into pieces 2 or 3 inches long, and melted butter, onions, sweet herbs, and anchovy sauce, added at will. The CONGER EEL is a distinct and gigantic species of the same family. Its flesh is coarse and oily, but is much esteemed by the inhabitants of the southern coast of Devon, on which it abounds.
Letheby states the following to be the composition of the Eel:
+------------------+-----+ Nitrogenous matter 99 +------------------+-----+ Fat 138 +------------------+-----+ Saline matter 13 +------------------+-----+ Water 75 +------------------+-----+ 1000 +------------------+-----+
Payen's analysis differs from the above, in giving a larger proportion of nitrogenous matter, and a still greater quantity of fat.
The native inhabitants of New Zealand and kindred races suffer largely from scrofula, the prevalence of which disease amongst them has been attributed to their partaking so largely of eel as a common article of diet.
=EFFERVES'CENCE.= The rapid escape of gas in small bubbles from a liquid.
See DRAUGHT, POWDER, &c.