DIA 



IHB 



DEXTRINE. Soluble starch, re- 

 sembling gum. but having the prop- 

 erty of turning the plane of polariza- 

 tion to the right ; hence its name. 

 The descending sap and cambium 

 contain much dextrine. It consists 



ofC,. Hu On. 



DIACHYLON. A common and 

 useful sticking plaster for wounds, 

 made of litharge and resin spread on 

 linen. 



DIADELPHIA, DIADELPHOUS 

 (from dtf , twice, and a6e?.(pcc, a hrolhcr- 

 hood). A Linneean class, in which the 

 stamens are bound together into two 

 parcels. 



DIAGNOSIS (from dcayivucKo), 

 to discern). The determination, by 

 symptoms, of one disease from an- 

 other. 



DIAMETER. The measure across 

 a circle or other regular figure. 



DIAMOND. A rare gem, of or- 

 ganic origin, consisting of pure car- 

 bon, and crystallized in octohcdrons, 

 dodecahedrons, and other derivative 

 forms. The hardest bodv in nature. 

 DIANDRIA, DIANDROUS (from 

 61.Q, twice, and avrip, a man). Plants 

 with two stamens. See Botany, 



DIAPHANOUS (from dia, and ^a- 

 ivu, to shine). Translucent : not quite 

 clear like glass. 



DIAPHORESIS (from 6m <popeu, I 

 carry through). Sweating, or perspi- 

 ration ; hence diaphoretics, medicines 

 which produce sweating. 



DIAPHRAGM (from 6ia, and 0par- 

 Tw, I divide). Any substance which 

 divides a cavity. Thus, the muscle 

 which lies between the chest and ab- 

 domen is a diaphragm ; the matter 

 dividing the cells of shells ; the disks 

 which are inserted into microscopes 

 are also called diaphragms. Septmn 

 is synonymous. Biaphragmitis is an 



inflammation of the diaphragm in an- 

 imals. 



DIARRHCEA (from Siappeo, Ifow 

 through). Looseness of the bowels. 

 Chalk and binding medicines are rem- 

 edies. See Horse, O.t, Sheep. 



DIASTASE (from 6ia, and car^f^L, I 

 set). A condition in the decay of fibrin 

 and other protein compounds, which, 

 acting like a ferment, converts solu- 

 tion of starch into sugar. 1 part of 

 changed protein converts 2000 of 

 starch. It occurs in malting and ger- 

 mination. The existence of diastase 

 as a separate body is unknown, its ef- 

 fects being the result of change, and 

 not due to the presence of any specif- 

 ic agent. Its property is destroyed 

 by a boiling heat. 



DIATHERMAL (from Slo, and 

 ■&epfiT], heat). Bodies which allow ra- 

 diant heat to pass through them, as 

 rock salt. 



DIATHESIS (from ^larLdrifiv, I dis- 

 pose). A predisposition to a partic- 

 ular class of diseases. 



DIBBLE. An instrument to make 

 holes in the soil for the insertion of 

 transplanted vegetables, sowing large 

 seeds, onions, &c. It is commonly 

 no more than a rod, with a spade han- 

 dle, the lower part or point shod with 

 iron, and sharp. A man, carrying 

 one in each hand, walks backward, 

 dibbling a hole right and left, at suit- 

 able distances ; 3000 holes can be 

 made thus in a day. The following 

 is a simple and effective contrivance 

 used for beans, potatoes, &c. ; it is 

 so arranged that the side rods, point- 

 ed with iron («, a), run a mark or drill, 

 into which the dibble afterward runs. 

 Several wheels may be fitted to one 

 axis, and thus a great deal of labour 

 done. It is adapted to light, mellow 

 soils ; and the saving of seeds and la- 



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