eminent French surgeon, has employed it, instead of ligatures, on the arteries, in cages of amputation, by applying small pieces of it to the mouths of these vessels, and afterwards covering the stump with lint.
This species of agaric may be usefully employed for the purpose of dying silks of a black colour: to succeed in the experiment, it ought to be cut in small pieces, and boiled in a solution of copperas, over a gentle fire, till the dye be sufficiently strong.
Another species of agaric, namely, the common puff-ball, has, by farriers also, been used as a styptic: and, in an experiment made upon a horse, it completely stopped, in a few minutes, a hemorrhage from one of the largest arteries. The wound afterwards healed, without any farther discharge.
We cannot, on this occasion, omit to remark, that persons living in retired situations, and particularly those employed in husbandry, as well as artizans working with sharp instruments, ought always to be provided with some styptic, which, at a distance from medical aid, and in a moment of emergency, may sometimes save an useful animal, and even the life of a fellow-creature, by its timely application.
The efficacy of agaric, as a styptic for external wounds, has, however, been disputed by Mr. Neale, a surgeon of the London Hospital, who published some observations on the subject, in the year 1757. He asserts, that he has seen it used on several occasions, and frequently employed it himself, without effect, nay, to the detriment of the patient.
Agaricus Muscarius, L. See Musky Mushroom.
AGE signifies any period of duration. It is indiscriminately used to express many objects and situations, but is more frequently applied to the latter or advanced periods of human life; and, in this sense, is accompanied with the epithet old.
Human existence has been divided into four distinct periods, viz. infancy, youth, manhood, and old age. The gradation through these successive stages is often slight and imperceptible; it may be either accelerated or retarded, according to the more or less prudent conduct of the individual, the mode of life which is pursued, and the various rules and precautions observed in diet, regimen, &c.
Age, when accompanied with other good qualities, is more especially entitled to respect and reverence; but, if marked with ignorance, becomes disgusting and contemptible. See the article Longevity.
Agglutination. See Cement.
Agility. See Athletic Art, or Gymnastic Exercises.
AGITATION is the art of shaking a body, or tossing it backwards and forwards. In physics, this term is often used for a commotion of the parts of a natural body. Fermentation and efferescence are attended with a brisk agitation of the particles.
Agitation is also one of the chief causes or instruments of mixtion. By the agitation of the part of the blood and chyle, sanguification is in a great measure effected. Butter is also made out of milk by the same means; a separation of the oleous from the serous parts taking place, and a combination of the former among themselves. Digestion is supposed to be accomplished by an insensible kind of agitation.
This term is also used in medicine, to denote that species of exer-
