These 9 listings are so strange that each appears in only one of the 7 encyclopedias we compared. They include such classics as Colchester, Colchicum, Colchicum Corm.
a borough, and seaport of England, 50 miles N. E. of London. It has a large oyster-fishing trade, and exports of corn and malt. In 1648 Colchester stood a memorable siege of 11 weeks against the Parliamentary forces, who eventually starved out the royalist garrison, and hung the leaders.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
a genus of plants, order Melanthaceæ. C. autumnale, the meadow saffron, is found in meadows and pastures of the north temperate regions. To a superficial observer the plant looks like a crocus, and in fact it has received the erroneous name of autumnal crocus; but it has six stamens, while the crocus genus has but three. The corms of the meadow saffron are poisonous, but much use has been made of them in medicine.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
Important: Safety Warning This page prescribes plants as medicine according to pre-modern medical theory. Several of the plants named are toxic, correct identification is difficult, and the doses given have no scientific basis. Do not ingest or apply any preparation described here. In addition, this page presents medical treatment from an era before modern medicine. The remedies described are ineffective against the conditions named, and some of the ingredients or doses are harmful. Do not use them to treat any illness; consult a qualified medical professional. This information has been left in for historical purposes but should not be acted upon. the fresh corm of C. autumnale, or common meadow saffron, which is collected about the end of June, and stripped of its coat, sliced transversely, and dried at 150° F. Used to make extract, an acetic extract, and Vinum colchici. According to Garrod, Colchicum increases the flow of the bile, and diminishes the heart's action; it possesses the power of controlling the and inflammatory rheumatism. The seeds, Colchici semina, are used to form a tincture which has the same medicinal properties.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
or COLCHOS, a former country of Asia, to the S. of Asiatic Sarmatia, E. of the Euxine Sea, N. of Armenia, and W. of Iberia. In ancient history it is famous for the expedition of the Argonauts, and for being the birth-place of Medea. In the 15th century it was sub-divided into several principalities, and is now comprised in the Russian government of Trans-Caucasus.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
red oxide of iron, ferric oxide, Fe2O3. A reddish-brown powder obtained when ferrous sulphate is distilled for Nordhausen sulphuric acid; it remains in the retorts. It is used as a red pigment, and is employed to polish glass, and, when finely divided, by jewelers is known under the name of rouge. It is sometimes called crocus martis, and was called caput mortuum vitrioli by the alchemists.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
the term by which is signified a relative want of sensible heat. When the atmosphere, or any substance which comes in contact with our body, is at a lower temperature than the skin, it absorbs heat from it, and we call it cold. The physiological action of cold on the animal organism requires a brief notice. All animals (the warm-blooded animals to the greatest extent) have a certain power of maintaining the heat of the body, in defiance of external cold. This power is mainly due to a process analogous to combustion, in which carbon and hydrogen taken into the system in food are made to unite with oxygen derived from the air by respiration. If the combustible materials are not duly furnished, or if the supply of oxygen be deficient (as in various diseased conditions), there must be a depression of temperature. Now, if the temperature of a bird or mammal (except in the case of hibernating animals) be lowered about 30° below its normal standard (which in birds ranges from 100° to 112°, and in mammals from 96° to 102°), the death of the animal is the result. In hibernating animals (the marmot, dormouse, bat, etc.) the power of generating heat within their own bodies is very slight. Cold is applied in various ways in the treatment of disease. In some forms of fever, a cold bath, or cold wet pack, is the best means of reducing a very high temperature which of itself threatens life.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
a village in Hanover co., Va., 2 miles N. E. of Chickahominy Creek, and 9 miles N. E. of Richmond. It is noted as the scene of two battles during the Civil War: June 3, 1864, between the Confederates under General Lee and the Federals under General Grant; and a smaller encounter, June 27, 1862, at Gaines' Mill, at this place.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
Iron or steel is termed "cold-short" when it fractures at the edges if rolled or hammered at a temperature below a dull red heat. Cold-shots, also called "cold-shuts," are seams which, on flat castings, are sometimes formed by local accumulations of dirt and dust. Another source of cold-shots is when the metal enters in straggling and divergent streams, leaving portions of metal to partially congeal at places before the whole surface is covered. At the final meeting the junction is an imperfect one, because of the difference in temperature of the two portions of metal. Castings, poured vertically, that have heavy adjoining parts, will sometimes show very deep scars of this nature, because of the dead stoppage which occurs whilst such parts are being filled. This happens sometimes in cylinders with heavy connections; the partial stoppage gives time for the surface scum to congeal, and metal simply flows back and covers it. When all the gating is from the top, this casualty is not likely to occur. See FAINT-RUN.
Only in The Encyclopedia of Founding
CADWALLADER, American scientist and colonial official; born in Dunse, Scotland, Feb. 17, 1688. He was graduated from the University of Edinburgh in 1705, and emigrated to the American colonies in 1708. He devoted himself to botany and astronomy and also to public affairs, becoming surveyor-general of New York and president of the council. He sided with the crown in the contest over the stamp act. Among his correspondents were Franklin and Linnæus, and he wrote "Cause of Gravitation" and "History of the Five Indian Nations." He died on Long Island, N. Y., Sept. 28, 1776.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia