Blea

[Scottish blæ, pale, livid.] The wood that is just under the bark of a tree. "Intreat the North To make his bleak winds ki my parched lips, And comfort me with cold." - Shaks . Bleak'ish, a. Moderately bleak. Bleakly, adv . In a bleak manner. Bleak'ne , n. State or quality of being bleak; open- ne of situation; exposure to the wind; hence, coldne . Blear, ( bler ,) a. [0. Ger. blatara; Du. blaar ; Dan. blære, a blister, bladder, or bubble.] Sore, as with pus- tules or blisters; dimmed or impaired, as the eyes. -v. a. To make sore; to dim or impair with sorene , as the eyes. Bleared, p . a. Dimmed by sorene , or by a watery humor. Bleach, ( blēch ,) v. a. [A. S. blæcan , from blæc, blac, pale. Blear'edne , n. The state of being bleared. See BLACK] To make white or whiter; commonly, to Blear-eye, n . ( Med .) The LIPPITUDE, q. v. whiten by exposure to the open air. -v. n. To grow white in any manner. Bleach'er, n. One who bleaches. Bleach'ery, n . A place for bleaching. cernment. Bleat, ( blēt ,) v. n. [A. L. blætan , formed from the sound.] To make the noise of a sheep. Bleach'ing, n . The act or art of whitening, especially cloth.-( Chem . and Manf .) This proce consists in a se- ries of operations, by which the natural colors of various substances are discharged so as to whiten them. It is effected either by the action of various solvents, aided by exposure to light, air, and moisture, upon the bleach- ing-ground; or by the aid of chlorine. Cotton is more easily bleached than linen, in consequence of its being originally whiter, and having a le powerful attraction for the coloring-matter. In bleaching these goods upon the old principle, warm water is first liberally applied to remove the weaver's paste or dre ing; they are then bucked, or boiled in a weak alkaline lye; and after hav- ing been well washed, are spread out upon the gra , so as to be freely exposed to the joint agencies of light, air, and moisture; the bucking and exposure are alternately repeated as often as nece ary; the goods are then soured , To feel pain or agony, as from bleeding. that is, immersed in water slightly acidulated by sul--To -n. The cry of a sheep. Bleat'ing, n . The same as BLEAT. Bleb, n. A BLISTER, q. v. Bleb'by, a. Full of blebs. Bled, imp . and part . of BLEED, q. v. Bled's oe, in Tenne ee, a S.E. central county, washed by Sequatchie River; surface , generally mountainous; area , about 330 sq. m.; cap . Pikeville. Bled's oe, in Mi ouri , a post-office of Hickory co. Bled's oe's Landing, in Arkansas , a post-office of Lee co. Bleed, ( blēd , ) v . n. (imp. and pp . BLED.) [A. S. bled an. See BLOOD.] To emit blood; to lose blood. "Bleed, bleed, poor country! Great tyranny, lay thou thy basis sure, For goodne dare not check thee!"- Shaks. die by slaughter. Had he thy reason, would he skip and play?" - Pope. "The lamb thy riot dooms to bleed to-day; phuric acid; lastly, they are very thoroughly washed and dried. By these operations the texture of the goods is to a certain extent impaired, and much time is re- -To i ue forth or drop, as blood. quired to complete the proce , which cannot be carried on in the winter months. But the exposure upon "For me the balm shall bleed, and amber flow, The coral redden, and the ruby glow." - Pope. the bleaching-ground is now to a great extent disc on--v. a. To let blood; to take blood from. tinued; and the same effect is obtained, after the proce of bucking, by the action of weak solutions of chlorine or of chloride of lime, which, if skilfully used, can scarcely be said to injure the goods more than the long continued exposure. The theory of bleaching has not been satisfactorily developed; but, from such experiments as have been made in reference to it, it appears to be a proce of oxidize ment, and to depend upon some peculiar influence of nascent oxygen, or perhaps of ozone, upon the coloring-matter. - The color of manufactured wool depends partly upon its own oil, and partly upon the applications made to it in the loom. These are got rid of in the fulling-mill by the joint action of fuller's earth and soap; the cloth is then well washed and dried, and is tolerably white. If the slight yellow tint which it retains is objectionable, it is improved by adding a little stone-blue to the washing-water, or by exposure to the fumes of burning sulphur; this latter method, however, renders it more harsh, and if afterwards soaped, its yellowishne returns The color of raw silk depends upon a natural yellow varnish, which is got rid of by boiling it in white soap and water, and by repeated rinsings. Certain articles of woven cotton, such as stockings, are bleached as usual, and finished by the action of sulphurous acid, or the fumes of burning sulphur. Straw is also whitened by a similar operation, and hence bleached straw hats are apt to have a disagreeable sulphurous smell. Bleach'ing-Powder, n. The most important is the chloride of lime. It is prepared by exposing slaked lime to the action of chlorine gas. Slaked lime may be made to combine with half its weight of chlorine. Chemists are divided as to the true composition of this valuable compound, some looking on it as a hypochlo- rite of lime, CaO, CIO, united with chloride of calcium, CaCl, while others regard it as a combination of chlorine with oxide of calcium, in the form of an oxy chloride, CaOCl. Chloride of lime is a white, moist powder, con- tinually giving off hypochlorous acid. Its principal use is as a bleaching agent; but it is also employed as a dis- infectant with great succe .-See CALCIUM, Bleak, n . ( Zool .) The Leuciscus alburnus , a little Mala- copterygions fish, belongs to the family of Cyprinidæ , very common in the rivers of Europe; length about 5 or 6 inches; shape slender, with the body much compre - ed; color bright silvery, the back olive-green; fins pellucid; scales deciduous; and Fig. 371. BLEAK, ( Leuciscus alburnus.) "That from a patriot of distinguished note, Have bled and purg'd me to a single vote." - Pope. Bleeding, n . A discharge of blood. See HEMORRHAGE. BLEEDING, or BLOOD-LETTING. ( Surg .) Any artificial discharge of blood from the body, performed for the purpose of affording relief, or benefit, to an invalid. Bleeding is divided into general or topical, or constitutional and local. Bleeding from a vein or artery is an example of the first; leeches, scarifications, and cupping are instances of the latter. Venesection, or phlebotomy , as bleeding from a vein is usually called, is performed in different parts of the body, though the localities generally selected are the neck, arm, leg, and foot; the part by common consent adopted as the most convenient, both for the patient and surgeon, is the arm. The person may be bled either lying, sitting, or standing; but when at all likely to faint during the operation, the sitting post- A ure should be adopted. It is sometimes desirable to produce sickne or fainting, so as to relax the muscles of the body, as in cases of dis location of the hip-joint C and rupture, when the person should be bled standing, and from a large opening. The arm has been selected for bleeding, from the fact that the veins are more prominent there, and more easily reached at the bend of the arm than elsewhere. At this spot there are four veins, from any B D Fig . 372.- VEINS OF THE ARM. one of which the surgeon may bleed. Running up the outside of the arm is the basilic vein , A; a corresponding vein ascends on the inner side, called the cephalic vein , B. The median vein of the fore-arm splits into two branches, one running obliquely outward to join the basilic, and called the median basilic , C; and the other cro ing obliquely inwards to join the cephalic, and called the median cephalic, D. Of these four, the median cephalic and me dian basilic are the two most generally selected for the operation. In fleshy and robust persons, the median basilic is the most convenient vein to open, because it is the most prominent, and the largest; but in thin o emaciated individuals the median cephalic should be selected. And for these reasons: that under the first runs the brachial artery, separated from the vein, in stout people, by some depth of cellular ti ue, but in emaciated subjects only divided by the thin fascia or aponeurosis of the adjacent tendon; while cro ing the median cephalic are the nerves of the surrounding cuticle. The danger of bleeding in the former is the fear of transfixing the vein, and wounding the artery beneath, causing an aneurism; while in the latter the thing to be apprehended is pricking the nervous filaments, and thereby causing neuralgia. But as every part of the body is beset by risks of a similar character, the operator bearing in mind the caution given as respects the median basilic in persons of spare habits, and observing the following instructions-must take the hazard, and, as a general rule, select the median basilic vein for his operation. Mode of Proceeding . Before commencing his operation, the person about to bleed must prepare his pledgets and bandage: the first consists of two slips of lint or linen rag, each slip folded up and doubled, one into a flat pad or compre about an inch square, the other a little larger and thicker; the bandage or fillet should be a piece of broad tape or ribbon 11⁄2 yards long. Having arranged these nece ary articles, he must provide himself with a basin and the handle of a broom, or any stick of similar proportions. The next duty is to select a fitting lancet, choosing one with rather broad shoulders, and bending the blade to nearly right angles with the handle. Having selected the vein by grasping the arm for a moment with his hand, to make the ve els distend, the operator should place his finger on the vein he purposes to open; and if he feels an evident pulsation beneath, he must select another, unle he is a practical operator and can open it without danger. The fillet is next to be doubled, and pa ed twice round the arm some few inches above the elbow-joint, and drawing it moderately tight, the operator should place the finger on the vein, to feel if any pulsation exists below; if satisfactory, the thumb of the left hand is to be pre ed on the vein a little below where he intends to open it. The lancet is now to be grasped by the blade, lightly but firmly, between the right thumb and finger, only the point and half of the shoulder of the instrument protruding, and, resting the hand on the other fingers, he is to insert the lancet in an oblique direction into the ve el, till the blood mounts to the skin; he then brings up the instrument on as straight a line as po ible- making the wound in the skin the same size as that in the vein. He then puts down the lancet, and, taking the basin, lifts his thumb from the vein and allows the stream to fall into the ve el in his hand; the broom handle, or any long stick, is next placed into the patient's hand, both as a rest for the arm and to a ist the flow of blood, which it effects by the contraction of the muscles as he opens and shuts his fingers on the staff. The amount of blood to be extracted depends upon circumstances and the nature of the disease; the ordinary quantity is from 12 to 16 ounces. When sufficient has been taken, the bandage is to be untied, when the blood in general ceases to flow; whether so or not, when the tape is untied, the thumb is again to be placed on the vein below the opening, and the arm supported in the operator's hand. Taking up the smallest pledget, he places it round the incision, and, pre ing the two edges together, lays the compre on the top of the cut, securing it with the thumb, while the thicker and larger pledget is being placed above it. He then shakes out the fillet, and, placing the centre of it on the compre , pa es first one end and then the other obliquely over and under the elbow, tying the two ends on the top of the compre ; the cut in the vein heals very quickly, and after a day the bandage may be left off entirely. Sometimes, though the opening is sufficiently large, the blood will not flow, this often arises from the fillet being tied too tightly. All that is nece ary, in that case, is to slacken the bandage so as not to impede the current in the arteries, and after a few minutes the blood will flow steadily. Sometimes, in languid constitutions, it is nece ary to plunge the hand and part of the fore-arm in hot water to induce the blood to flow. When a vein is opened in the foot or instep, the proce is nearly the same. As opening the external jugular vein is an operation of extreme delicacy, and could never be undertaken with safety by a non-profe ional person, we deem it unnece ary to describe the mode of procedure. We have already spoken of the opening of arteries under the word ARTERIOTOMY. The only artery that a non-medical person would be justified in opening is one of the branches of the temporal artery, which, in cases of apoplexy, or urgent affections of the head, might be rendered nece ary. To effect this, all that is requisite is to stretch the skin tightly acro the temple with the thumb and finger of the left hand; then, with a bistoury, make a small incision through the cuticle on the top of the artery, which, in turn, is to be opened with the point of the lancet, and the blood, as much as nece ary, allowed to spring forth in leaps; three or four compre es being placed over it, and a firm and steady pre ure established by means of the pledget. Bleecker, in New York, a post-township of Fulton co, 50 m. N.W. of Albany. Blem'ish, v . a . [Fr. blemir ; Icel. blam i , the livid color of a bruise.] To make pale, wan, or livid; to injure or impair. To mark with any deformity; to mar; to tarnish; to taint; to sully. IMG:content-0650.jpg:[graphic] -. A livid spot; a mark of deformity; a scar or defect; speck, spot, or flaw. - Reproach; fault; stain; taint; dishonor. Blem'ishle , a . That is without blemish or spot. Blench, v . n. To shrink; to start back; to flinch. (0.) Blend, v. a. [A. S. blend an ; Icel. and Sw. bland a ; Goth. bland an.] To mix or mingle together; to con- found. "He had his calmer influence, and his mien Did love and majesty together blend." - Dryden. Blende, n . ( Min .) A sulphide of zinc. See ZING. Blend'er,n. One who blends. Blend'ing, n. Act of mingling or blending. ( Paint .) A term synonymous with Melling . They im- ply the method of laying different tints on buildings, trees, ., so that they may mingle together while wet, and render it impo ible to discover where one color begins, and another ends. A variety of tints of nearly the same tone, employed on the same object and on the same part, gives a richne and mellowne to the effect; while the outline, insensibly melting into the back- ground, blends the objects together, and preserves them in unison. Blen'don, in Michigan , a post-township of Ottawa co., about 16 m. W.S.W. of Grand Rapids. Ble ed, a . Happy; joyous: glad; prosperous. -Pertaining to, or fraught with, happine . All generations shall call me ble ed ." - Luke i. 48. "Oh! ble ed with temper whose unclouded ray Can make to-morrow cheerful as to-day. - Pope. -Enjoying supreme felicity; holy and happy; happy in heaven. "For all we know Of what the ble ed do above, Is that they sing and that they love." Waller. -Heavenly; sanctified by holy a ociations. "And lay it lowly at His ble ed feet." Milton . Ble 'edly, adv . Happily; fortunately. "This accident of Clitophon s taking, had so ble edly procured their meeting."-Sidney. Ble 'edne , n. State of being happy or ble ed; beatitude; sanctity, happine ; bli , joy; heavenly felicity. "Many times have I... admired the ble edne of it."-Sidney. Single-ble edne . Being happy in the unmarried state; self-centred or single happine . "Earthlier happy is the rose distill'd, Than that, which withering on the virgin thorn, Grows, lives, and dies in single-ble edne ."-Shaks. Ble 'ed Thistle, n . ( Bot . ) The Centaurea benedict a . Blen'don, in Ohio , a post-township of Franklin coun- Ble 'er, n. One who ble es, or confers a ble ing; ty. Blen'don Institute, in Ohio, a village of Blend on township, Franklin co. Blen'do us, a. Pertaining to blende. Blend-water, n. A distemper incident to cattle, af- fecting the liver. Blenheim, or Blindheim, (BATTLE OF.) See Hoch- STADT. Blenheim, in N. York , a post-township of Schoharie co., 42 m. W.S.W. of Albany. Blen'nerville, in Ireland, a small seaport town, co. Kerry, on Tralee Bay, Blen'ning, n. ( Zool . ) Same as BLENNIUS, q. v. Blen'nius, n. [Gr.blenna, mucus.) ( Zool . ) A genus of fishes of the family Gobide , distinguished by having a single dorsal fin, smooth skin, and ventrals under the throat. The species are found in small communities among the rocks near the shore, and are capable of liv- ing without water for some time. They are all small, some of them only one or two inches long, and covered with a slimy mucus. Blennogenous, a. Forming or producing mucus. Blennorrhœ'a, n. [Gr. blenna , mucus, andreo, I flow.] (Med.) An inordinate discharge or secretion of mucus, arising from weakne . See GONORRHOEA. Blent, pp . of BLEND, q. v. Bleos'taning, n. Mosaic pavement. Bleph'aris, n. ( Zool .) A genus of acanthopterygious fishes, distinguished by their having long filaments to their second dorsal, and to their anal fin rays. One spe- cies, inhabiting the W. India seas, is known under the appellation of the cobbler - fish , probably on account of the long thread-like appendages, for which it is so con- spicuous. Blepharopto's is, n. [Gr. blepharon , an eyelid, and plesis, fall.] ( Med . ) A falling down of the upper eyelid over the eye, caused by a paralysis of the Levator palpe- bræ super i us muscle. This paralysis is an unfavorable symptom, and it is generally connected with a state of the brain favoring apoplexy or palsy. Blephilia, n. ( Bot . ) A genus of unimportant plants, order Lamiacea. Blere, a town of France, dep. Indre et Loire, cap. of cant. on the Cher, 17 m. E.S.E. of Tours. The castle of Chenonceaux, once the property and residence of the celebrated Diana of Poitiers ( q . v.), is situated in the im- mediate vicinity. Diana, having been dispo e ed of the castle by her rival, Queen Catherine de Medicis, the latter surrounded it with a superb park After many vic is- situdes, it was acquired, in 1733, by M. Dupin, a gentle- man distinguished by his wealth and learning, but more by the wit and beauty of his wife. Under its new master, Chenonceaux became the resort of some of the most il- lustrious personages of the 18th century, including, among others, Voltaire, Montesquieu, Buffon, Fonte- nelle, and Bolingbroke. Rou eau wrote several pieces for the theatre at Chenonceaux, and it was here that the Devin de Village first appeared. Chenonceaux escaped the revolutionary frenzy, and continues to be one of the most interesting objects in this part of France. Pop . 3,721.