contains a small portion of iron dissolved in fixed-air; of absorbent earth combined with hepatic air; of vitriolated magnesia, and muriated mineral alkali; but the proportions of these constituent parts have not been accurately ascertained.
Walton-water is chiefly efficacious in obstructions and other affections of the glands: the dose varies according to the inveteracy of the disorder, the age of the patient, and other circumstances. This mineral spring, however, is seldom resorted to; though it promises to be of considerable use in scrophula, and many other diseases.—Farther information respecting its component parts, &c. may be derived from Dr. James Johnstone's "Account of the Walton-water, near Tewkesbury," 8vo. 1s. 6d. Cadell, 1787.
WAR, a contest between two sovereigns, states, or large bodies of people: and as these are unwilling to submit the decision of their differences to arbitration, or equity, they generally resort to arms for that purpose.
War is always a national evil; and is justifiable only in cases of self-defence; though, by proper remonstrances, it might doubtless in many instances be avoided, together with all its horrors.—Like the duels between private individuals, which disgrace civilized Europe, war may for a short time gratify the rage of hatred, but it uniformly fails to answer the end for which it was commenced;—disappointing the wishes of the ambitious; betraying the interests of society; in short, being equally useless and distressing.
Defensive wars, however, may be justified by dire necessity; so that the good wishes of the moderate and pacific, must ever attend such exertions. In this point of view, the art of war is an useful and necessary pursuit; as its object is to defend persecuted virtue; to punish the daring aggressor; to curb ambition; and to oppose the unjust claims of turbulent neighbours: but, when warfare is wantonly courted, for contrary purposes, it deserves to be branded with infamy; and, as Count Turpin ("Essay on the Art of War,") has justly observed, if he, who first reduced to rules the art of destroying his fellow-creatures, had no object in view but to gratify the passion of Princes, he was a monster, whom it would have been a duty to smother at his birth.
WARBLES, in farriery, are small, hard tumors arising on a horse's back, and generally occasioned by the heat, or friction, of the saddle in travelling.
As these injuries frequently occur in horses, after hard journies, or a severe chase, we would advise every person to whose care these noble animals are entrusted, minutely to examine the back every time when the saddle is removed. If any hardness or inequality should be perceived, from which a warble may probably ensue, the affected part must be bathed with the following liniment, that alone will be sufficient to check the progress of the swelling: Take of extract of lead, half an ounce; camphorated spirit of wine, two oz.; soft water, half a pint. Previously to adding the water, the extract and spirit should be well shaken, so that they may be duly incorporated.
WARMTH, a term expressing a moderate degree of heat.
The warming of houses, in a cli-
