of walls, roofs, especially in those of willow-trees, where they lay five or six eggs of a pale-reddish colour, spotted with brown. These birds are very crafty, and voracious; committing great depredations in corn-fields, where they partake of every species of grain: on the other hand, they are also useful, by devouring numerous worms, insects, and particularly the green caterpillar. But, in situations where sparrows are very troublesome from their numbers, they may be easily taken, by constructing a trap of unpeeled oziers, about two feet in diameter, nine inches deep; and resembling in its form a fish-pot. The tunnel is somewhat dished, having an inverted cone in the centre, which extends to within the space of one inch from the bottom of such basket; the opening, formed by the points of the twigs, being an inch in diameter. This trap must be baited with wheat, or other grain; and, when the birds have entered through the internal aperture of the cone, they cannot escape.
For the protection of fields, gardens, and especially of wall-fruit, from these predatory birds, we can suggest the following expedient. Slips or pieces of spangle-metal (plate-foil) six inches long, and three broad, should be suspended on long poles by means of strings, about half a yard in length, and fastened to the top: by the agitation of the wind, they will occasion a continual crackling noise, which is so terrifying to sparrows, that they will not venture to approach the vicinity of such scare-crows: in fields, however, the latter ought to be placed at a distance of about 12 or 15 yards square from each other.
Sparrow-hawk: See Hawk, the Common.
SPASM, an irregular and involuntary contraction of the muscles, generally accompanied with painful sensations: this complaint has, of late years, made such rapid and formidable progress, especially among the female sex, as to demand serious attention.
Spams are either general, where many or most of the muscles are attacked (as in tetanus, catalepsis, &c.); or partial, when the contraction is confined to single muscles, for instance, of the jaw, of the throat, and other parts, which have been stated under their respedive heads.
Among the chief, pre-disposing causes, is an irritable, weak, nervous system; while the occasional ones are, passions of the mind; injury produced by external violence, by poisons, of every descriptioin; worms; suppressed perspiration; cosmetics and lotions; repelled cutaneous eruptions; and whatever may induce an increased action of the nerves and muscles.—Nothing, indeed, has so evidently contributed to the frequency of this affection, as the defective modern education, particularly of females; and according to which, children are considered as adults; they are allowed to read seductive books; to dress in an improper, or at least, unbecoming manner; and even infants are suffered to partake of tea, wine, and spirituous liquors, under the pretext of using them as medicines.
The danger attending spasmodic paroxysms, depends on the greater or less violence of the attack:—if they proceed from too profuse evacuations, there is great danger to be apprehended; as the patient is
