139 



It is quite a new thing, even in Italy, where it was first etniployetf. 

 During my sojourn in the celebrated Peninsula, I saw simple presses, 

 worked by a single hand, and of extraordinary strength which were 

 used for this purpose. All my inquiries could discover no earlier date 

 for it than 1750, about which time Grape-seed oil was extracted in 

 Bergamo ; in 1780 it was made at Rome and around Ancona ; in 1818 

 at Naples, Castellamar and Resina. Since 1791, attempts have been 

 made to fabricate it in several parts of France, even at Paris, which 

 have perfectly succeeded. At Berne in 1781, and in several districts 

 of Germany since 1787, the thing has been attempted; but nowhere 

 on the great scale as in Italy. It does not with us cover the cost of fa- 

 brication, because olive-oil is so excellent and cheap, and the other oils 

 of commerce so cheap and abundant, that no competition can hold 

 out with them. The Italians beside extract nine per cent, of oil; a 

 quantity never as yet obtained in France ; exertions to that effect are 

 now under way. 



Fud from the dried Murk. The most usual custom is to lake the 

 murk from the press, break it while still compact into large or small 

 clods and stack it under a shed to dry : it is then burned in winter, 

 like turf or tan. 



Pumice baths. Finally, the healing art places the new murk in the 

 list of strengthening articles in the Materia Medica, very active in 

 rheumatic pains, old sprains, and weaknesses of the legs and loins in 

 consequence of rickets. Its efficacy in consolidating cured fractures 

 is also much boasted. It is thus employed : the diseased part is buried 

 under a heap of the fresh murk, in a state of fermentation, under 

 which it is to be kept for a longer or shorter period of time, according 

 to circumstances. It excites very plentiful sweats, which give great 

 ease and determine a prompt cure. This is the mode of application 

 CdWedpumke baths; it should rather be, ^'M'wzce cntaplasms. 



