when it occasions an incurable diarrhœa: it is eaten with impunity by horses, but is noxious to sheep. This rough grass is employed for cleaning and polishing tin vessels. According to Gleditsch, this species, as well as the fluviatile, or River-horse-tail, are of considerable service in tanning or dressing leather.
3. The palustre, Marsh-horse-tail, or Paddock-pipe, which flourishes in marshy and watery places; flowers in the months of June and July. It is not so strong as the preceding species, but is equally prejudicial to cows: farther, it is very troublesome in drains, within which it vegetates, and forms both stems and roots, several yards in length: thus the course of the water is interrupted, and the drains are totally obstructed. To remedy this inconvenience, the reader will consult p. 165 of this volume, the article Draining.
4. The hyemale, Rough Horse-tail, Shave-grass, Pewterwort, or Dutch Rushes, is found in marshy, watery soils, and flowers in the months of July and August. This species is wholesome for horses, by which it is eaten; but it is hurtful to cows, and disagreeable to sheep. It is chiefly employed by turners and cabinet-makers, for polishing their work; as well as by dairy-maids, for cleaning pails and other wooden utensils.
Horse-worm. See Botts.
HOSPITAL, a building properly endowed, or otherwise maintained by voluntary contributions, for the reception and support of the poor, sick, infirm, or helpless.
Few countries abound with a greater number ot these humane institutions than Britain; yet they are often calculated to generate disease rather than to cure it, on account of their crowded wards, or from their confined situation in populous cities, where the most pestilential vapours are in a manner condensed; and thus, in too many instances, the victims of poverty, age, infirmity, or sickness, eventually perish by mutual contagion.
Much, we are convinced, has already been done towards remedying an evil of so serious a nature; but still more remains to be accomplished, before salutary changes produce the desired effect in this neglected department of medical police. We mention these few circumstances, in order to excite a greater degree of attention to this important object, in which the salubrity of the metropolis is particularly concerned. Those of our benevolent readers who wish to acquire further information, ought to read the Extracts from an Account of the Institution for the Cure and Prevention of Contagious Fevers in London, lately published; as well as Mr. Aikin's Thougthts on Hospitals (8vo. 1s. 6d. Johnson, 1771): both pamphlets equally abound with interesting facts and observations.
HOT-BEDS, in gardening, are made either with fresh horse-dung or tanners' bark, and covered with glasses, to protect them from the severity of the wind and weather.
Where horse-dung is employed, a trench should be dug, of a width and depth proportioned to the size of the frames intended to be used; and which, in dry ground, ought to be a foot, or a foot and a half, deep; but, if the soil be wet, it should not exceed six inches. The dung is then to be spread even and smooth on every part of the
