ing. It has farther been recommended, to blow a dram of the powder of Asarabacca, once in the course of the day, into the animal's nostrils, in order to promote a discharge: after which, two or three aloetic purges (see Horse-medicines, vol. ii. p. 490) ought to be given; and, to prevent a relapse, small doses, not exceeding one ounce, and consisting of equal parts of cinnabar, antimony, and guaiacum, formed into balls, should be daily administered, for the space of a month.
When the staggers originate from fulness of blood, high feeding, or want of exercise, it is the praftice of farriers, frequently to take small quantities of blood from the horse, and to give an opening diet, together with scalded bran or barley. It appears to us, however, that such bleedings, unless in cases of urgent necessity, might be avoided; by keeping the animal on hay mixed with double its quantity of cut straw, and making him work moderately every day.
Staggers, in Sheep, is a species of apoplexy, arising from too great fulness of blood. It principally attacks young lambs, which fall down; and, if not timely relieved, they speedily perish. The mode of cure generally adopted by shepherds, is to bleed the creatures frequently in the eye-vein, and to remove them to a coarse pasture, with a view to prevent the danger of a relapse.
Staining. See Marble; and Wood.
STAR OF BETHLEHEM, or Ornithogalum, L. a genus of plants, comprising 35 species, 7 of which are indigenous: the principal of these is the luteum, or Yellow Star of Bethlehem, growing in woods, and moist sandy places; where its beautiful yellow flowers appear in April.
All the species of this vegetable are hardy perennials, and prosper in any situation: they may be easily propagated by off-sets from the bulbous roots. These may be preserved for a long time, either in a raw or roasted state; and Ruellius remarks, that a wholesome and nutritious bread may be prepared from a mixture of the roots and seeds of this plant.—It is eaten by horses, goats, and sheep, though not relished by hogs; and is totally refused by cows.—See also Cheese, vol. i. p. 502.
STAR-GRASS, or Callitriche, L. a genus of plants, consisting of four species, two of which are indigenous, namely: 1. The verna, Vernal Star-grass, Water-Starwort, Water-Fennel, or Star-headed Water-Chickweed, grows in ditches, ponds, and slow streams: it flowers from April to August. 2. The autumnalis, or Autumnal Star-grass, abounds in ditches and still waters, where it flowers in August.
Both these vegetables grow so thickly matted together, as to enable a person to walk over them, without sinking: hence, they may be advantageously planted, with a view to consolidate swampy, or marshy grounds, so as to prepare them for tillage.
STAR-WORT, the Sea, or Aster Tripolium, L. a native perennial, growing in salt-marshes, both on the sea-coast, and in those which are more distant from the shore: it flowers in the months of August and September. This vegetable is eaten by goats and horses; but is not relished by sheep, and totally refused by hogs. From its thriving
