Cupping
a surgical operation consisting in the application of the cuppingglass in cases where it is desirable to abstract blood from, or draw it to, a particular part. When blood is removed the operation is simply termed cupping; :; when no blood is abstracted, it is drycupping. The cupping-glass, a cupshaped glass vessel, is first held over the flame of a spirit-lamp, by which means the included air is rarefied. In this state it is applied to the skin, and as the heated air cools it contracts and produces a partial vacuum, so that the skin and integuments are drawn up slightly into the glass and become swollen. If blood is to be drawn, a scarificator or spring-lancet is generally used. found either as a red earth, or as brilfound either as a red earth, or as brilcolor, specific gravity, 6.0. It contains 88.8 per cent. copper, and is widely distributed, occurring in many parts of the United States. A crystalline variety is the name given to one of the earthy varieties. so called from possessing a cupule which takes the form of a bony or coriaceous one-celled nut, more or less inclosed in an involucre. one-celled nut, more or less inclosed in an of Venezuela, formerly capital of the above sea-level, with a steep hill behind it and a wide valley before it. Situabove sea-level, with a steep hill bea considerable commerce in cotton, sugar cane, coffee, cocoa, indigo, general agricultural products, and cattle. It was founded in 1730 and was the scene of several battles in the War of Independence. In 1900 an earthquake did considerable damage. Pop. about 13,000. ence. In 1900 an earthquake did conthe Dutch West Indies in the Caribbean CURFEW Sea; 46 miles N. of the coast of Vene- Anna. It is hilly, wild, and barren, with a hot, dry climate. Yellow fever visits It Anna. It is hilly, wild, and barren, with a hot, dry climate. Yellow fever visits it every sixth or seventh year. Fresh water other useful trees are reared; among them three varieties of orange, from one of which the Curaçao liqueur is made. them three varieties of orange, from one also produced, but the staple exports are also pr produced, but the staple exports are Sugar, tobacco, cochineal, and maize are used as a manure in its natural state, or salt, and a valuable phosphate of lime made to yield valuable superphosphates. and Saba form a Dutch government, the (or Aruba), St. Martin, St. Eustache, residence of the governor being at Wilresidence of the governor being at Wilwas held in succession by the Spaniards, was held in succession by the Spaniards, Dutch, and British, and finally ceded to Holland in 1814. Pop. (1918) 34,639, of the colony, 57,195.
CURAÇAO, or CURACOA, a liqueur or cordial prepared from a peculiar kind of bitter oranges growing in Curaçao, and taste. It is prepared from the yellow part of the rind.