The principal causes of wens, are scrophulous matter; violent exertions; poor, or indigestible food; and bad water. Several authors suppose it to arise from the use of snow-water: thus, Forster, in his voyage round the world, observed glandular obstructions to originate from drinking solutions of ice.
Cure:—Where this malady proceeds from a vitiated lymph, as in the Scrophula, it will be necessary to have recourse to the treatment recommended under that article.—Should it have been induced by frequently taking solutions of ice, or snow, great benefit may be derived from the use of water, saturated with fixed air.—With a view to dissolve the tumor, various remedies have been devised; of which the following deserve particular notice: Electricity in conjunction with alteratives; for instance, mild mercurials and antimonials; hemlock; or 30 grains of the liver of sulphur dissolved in a quart of water, 2 table-spoonfuls of which are to be taken every 3 hours. During such course, Peruvian bark, or other tonics, ought to be used as auxiliaries. Among external remedies, camphor combined with sweet-oil; or a solution of sal ammoniac in vinegar, have often successfully been applied to the tumor.
Internally, the use of burnt sponge (as directed in the article Scrophula) has been attended with the best effects, in dispersing wens. The inhabitants of Derbyshire, where this remedy is in great repute, take it in the following manner: 15 grains of burnt sponge are triturated together with a similar weight of millepedes, and from 8 to 10 grains of cinnabar of antimony; the whole is to be mixed with honey, or treacle, and taken every morning, two hours before breakfast. This course ought to be continued for two or three weeks; when the medicine is to be intermitted for a similar period. After such interval, the regular use of the composition is to be re-commenced, but with this difference, that instead of 1, the patient take 4 doses every day, and 3 grains of calomel at night; though, if the latter prove laxative, it will be advisable to reduce the proportion. His diet will require no particular limitation; except that pure water must be used, instead of malt liquor; and he ought strictly to guard against contracting a cold, or catarrh, during the operation of these alteratives. Such is the method successfully pursued, especially when combined with dry frictions of the part affected, and steadily continued in the summer season, without resorting to any other external application.
WHALE, the Common, or Balæna mysticetus, L. is the largest inhabitant of the ocean, frequenting the north seas, where it is from 70 to 90 feet, and in those of the Torrid Zone, to 160 feet in length. Its head is uncommonly large, so that it is equal to one-third of its length: in the middle are two orifices, through which it spouts water to a considerable height; and towards the back, there are two small eyes, protected by eye-lashes, like those in quadrupeds. The tail has the form of a crescent; and the colour of the whole body is various, the backs of some being red, and the belly perfectly white. The female produces one, or not exceeding two young whales, after a gestation of nine or ten months,
