274 
sent mode of manufacturing them. 
The manner of performing the operation 
is thus described and directed: ‘‘ Take 
a slab, or piece of iron, in a wedge-like, or 
other convenient form, the length of 
which must be in proportion to the length 
of the skelps required; and the weight, 
according to the number of skelps de- 
sired to be cut out of each plate. Heat 
the slab, or piece of iron, to the usual 
degree of heat observed in rolling plates 
‘ofiron; then, with the common appa. 
yatus in general use for rolling plate iron, 
form it into a plate thicker at one edge 
and side than the other, which thiekness 
must be according to the sort of skelps 
wanted. The thick edge and taper-hke 
form will be best produced by reducing 
the circumference of one end of one 
roller, or ene end of each roller, a few 
inches in the longitadmal direction of it, 
or them, according to the sort of -skelps 
wanted; or nearly the same effect may 
be produced with a pair of rollers, of 
equal diameter throughout, by giving one 
end of the upper roller more liberty than 
the other. ‘The plate of iron is then to 
be cut or divided into skelps, or strips 
for skelps, longitudinally from the thin to 
the thick edge, or from the thick to the 
thin edge, But to prevent waste in cut- 
REPORT OF DISEASES, — 
Report of Diseases. 
[April f, 
ting or dividing the plates into skelps of 
the form wanted, they may be cut or 
divided into strips about the width of 
the muzzle, or fore end, of the skelp; in 
which case the plate must be formed 
somewhat thicker on the thick side and 
edge, in order to-admit of the strips 
being a little widened by a forge or tilt. 
hammer, or by any other means. 
Where it may not be convenient to roll 
the plate wide enough to form the skelps 
in one length, it may be done im two or 
more parts, and joined in the welding of 
the barrel, or in the skelp form. The 
barrels manufactured from these skelps, I 
find to be more clear, and more free from 
-grays or flaws, which [ conceive arises 
trom the great pressure and quickness of 
the heavy rolicrs upon the iron, in so 
hot a state, forcing the pure metallic 
particles to cohere more closely than can 
be effected by the partial strokes of the 
tilt-hammer upor the iron less hot; and 
by the grain or fibres being, by this pro- 
cess, laid round, parallel with the edge 
of the breech, they partake, in some 
degree, of the nature of what are termed 
twisted barrels, gain a considerable-addi- 
tion of strength, and consequently stand 
proof with less risque of bursting,” ; 
Under the Care of the late Senior Physician of the Finsbury Dispensary, from the 
20th of February to the 20th of March, 1810. 
HEUMATICaffections,more particu- 
larly of the face andneck, have of late 
been very general. The weather of Fetru- 
ary, March, and April, is especially calcu- 
Jatedto generate this species of complaint. 
Even a still further progress in the year, 
when “ Winter lingers on thelap of May,” 
will produce scarcely any apparent dimi- 
nution in the prevalence of rheumatism. 
But a disease of much graver aspect, and 
attended with more solemn consequen- 
ces, not unfrequently owes its birth, as 
well as its mournful termination, to the 
influence of the present season. It may 
he regarded as the seed-lizie of consump- 
tion; and what originates in one spring, 
the suceeding. will probably ripen, if 
intermediate care be not taken to 
destroy its root, or to restrain its 
syowth, into a full and fatal matariey, 
"Lhe vernal period whichis usually painted 
by poets as luxuriant in delights, will be 
found, in this country at least, to be far 
more abundantly productive of disaster 
and disease. . 
‘he pthysical patient ought more par- 
ticularly at this crisis of the year, to be 
treated with all the delicacy and care 
mein aie due to a hot-house plant. 
Common as it is, nothing surely can be 
more cruel and absurd, than to send, in 
contempt, asit were, of our unsparing and 
changeful climate, persons far advanced 
in the alarming symptoms of hectic, from 
their own warm and comfortable. habi- 
tations, to undergo the last struggles of 
nature, in cheerlessand ill-accommedated 
lodgings on the coast, or at some fashion- 
able watering-place. Victims already, 
about to sink under the pressure of an 
inexorable malady, they are urged from 
the shelter of a domestic roof, not upon 
a mission of health, bat upon a-melan- 
choly pilgrimage to.a distant grave. These 
travellers to the tomb, cannot fail to be 
precipitated in their descent to it, by ex- 
ertions thus imposed upon them, so dis- 
proportionate to the feebleness of their 
frame, and by an unavoidable exposure, 
during their ill-advised journey, to the 
ungenial severity, or uncertain vicissitudes, 
cf atmospheric temperature. 
How few of such unhappy exiles from - 
home, are destined to retrace their steps 
Vestigia nulla retrorsum. 
March Sa 1810. 7 Ji Rerp. Vy 
G renviile-street, Brunswich-square. : 
ALPHABETICAL 
