acid eructations, &c.—If the child be costive, it will be necessary to relieve the bowels with very small doses of manna and rhubarb, given in chamomile tea, every half hour, till they produce the desired effect: sometimes a small quantity of the powder of gum arabic is an useful addition. When green feces are discharged, a few drams of magnesia, with one or two of rhubarb, according to the age of the infant, may be given with advantage; but the greatest benefit will, on such occasions, be derived from a proper application of clysters, composed either of a decoction of chamomile, with a spoonful or two of sweet oil, and a few grains of salt; or milk, oil and sugar, or merely a solution of white soap and water; which last is the cheapest, and most efficacious. Cataplasms, or the common poultice, made of bread, milk, and oil, may likewise be applied to the lower part of the belly, and repeated as often as they grow cold; adding every time the necessary portion of new milk, to give them a proper consistence.—See Colic.
Belts, acroamatic. See Quackery.
Benefit of Clergy.—See Clergy.
BENE-SEED, the production of an American plant, the botanical name of which we have not been able to ascertain. According to a letter of Mr. J. Morel, inserted in the first volume of the "Transactions of the American Philosophical Society;" this seed yields an oil of an equal, and even preferable quality, to Florence oil: one hundred weight of seed will produce ninety pounds of oil; its cultivation, therefore, deserves to be strongly recommended.
BENT GRASS, or Agrostis, a genus of grasses comprehending forty-one species, of which, according to Dr. Smith, only eight are indigenous; though Dr. Hull enumerates fourteen: of these, however, we shall take notice of only two:
1. The Spicaventi, or Silky Bent-grass: it grows to the height of three or four feet, on dry sandy fields. See With. 120.—When young, it affords a tolerable fodder for cattle; but should not be given to them in its mature state, as its sharp leaves are apt to injure their gums. With a decoction of the brown flowers and stalks of this species, linen may be dyed of a pleasing yellow colour, merely by repeated dippings, without any farther addition, except a little alum, which gives it a greenish shade. The stalks are used by the Russians and Tartars, for manufacturing beautiful basket-work.
2. The stolonifera, Creeping Bent-grass, or Blue Squitch-grass, grows in moist fields and meadows; see With. 131.
It deserves to be cultivated, as it produces a wholesome and nourishing fodder for cattle; and, at the same time, suppresses the growth of mosses, and other weeds, by its quick and luxuriant vegetation.
BENZOINE, a concrete resinous juice, obtained, according to Mr. Dryander, from the Styrax benzoi, L. a tree which grows chiefly in the island of Sumatra. It is imported from the East Indies, in large masses composed of white and light brown pieces, or yellowish drops, which easily break between the fingers. This resin is extremely fragrant, especially when heated; and, in a cold state, it has a sweetish taste.
When exposed, in proper vessels, to the action of fire, benzoine yields a considerable proportion of a white saline concrete, called:
Flowers
