Cassell's Domestic dictionary : an encyclopaedia for the household.

Date:
[1884?]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Cassell's Domestic dictionary : an encyclopaedia for the household. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The University of Leeds Library. The original may be consulted at The University of Leeds Library.

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    corded) by plaintiff. An accord and satisfaction obtained by fraud may be set aside in Equity. Accordion.—This is a musical instrument, invented in Germany, which produces its tones by means of several tongues of metal put in vibration by the action of bellows. Each key on the instrument has a metallic tongue under- neath it fixed in a groove. When a key is ACCOEDION. pressed, the action of the bellows on being drawn out or pressed in produces the required note or sound, caused by the passage of the air over the tongue. The shape of the accordion is not unlike that of a book. The French accordion is played on by the right hand, the left working the bellows. The German ac- cordion employs the hands just in the reverse order. This is in consequence of the lower notes of the two instruments beginning at different ends. The accordion is easily played upon, and its notes are sweet and distinct in articulation. It is well adapted for sacred music from its power of swelling and sustaining its notes. Accordion music, however, it must be confessed, is a little monotonous. The con- certina and harmonium are superior instru- ments constructed on the same principle as the accordion. (See Organ-accordion, Concer- tina.) will be useful to have at hand a diary, in which to jot down all money matters as they occur, to be transferred to their proper places at the close of the day, or at least every week. Accounts.—As in ordinary business, so in personal and family transactions, accounts should be regularly kept of monetary matters. These accounts should include cash received and expended, as well as records of all debts and liabilities, loans and losses. It is desirable to enter all these things daily as they occur in their proper places, and to cast up the items at regular intervals. One excellent plan in con- nection with household and personal accounts is to enter in a diary beforehand payments which will have to he made for rent, rates and taxes, insurance, wages, &c. For all practical pur- poses very little skill in book-keeping will be needed, and books specially prepared can easily be obtained. (See Account Books.) Ace.—A single point or figure marked on a die or card. For instance, the card called the ace of spades is that whereon a single spade is impressed. Acerbity.—The harshness of taste which characterises some kinds of fruits and drinks when they are sour in combination with a certain bitterness and astringency. The same word is applied to severity and harshness of temper, and the bitterness of pain. Acetate of Ammonia Lotion is made by taking of solution of acetate of ammonia, one ounce ; rectified spirit, two ounces ; water, eight ounces, and mixing. It is used as a cooling lotion. Bags dipped in it and applied to an inflamed part, cool it by evaporation. It is especially useful as an application to the head in inflammation of the brain, and in bruises. Accost. (See Recognition.) Accoucheur. — A medical practitioner who applies himself, though not exclusively, to attendance on obstetric cases. In general, this practitioner is the family attendant of those whom he attends as an accoucheur. Accoucheuse. — A midwife, or woman who attends women in the time of their giving birth to children. Any woman, as the law stands at present, may act as midwife, however ignorant, and the consequences are often serious. It is most desirable that there should be some legislative enactment that would require mid- wives to be registered, and in order to be registered to be educated for their work. This is almost the only country in Europe where this important branch of practice is left to unautho- rised persons. Account Books.—For the ordinary cash accounts of a family, one of the Housekeeper’s Account Books, or Housekeeper’s Diaries (published annually), will be invaluable. For special purposes, as for washing, banking, &c., other books are desirable, and must be provided. In large establishments it may be almost necessary to have the books employed in book-keeping by single entry—viz., a cash- book, a day-book, and a ledger. In all cases it Acetate of Lead, Potassium, &c.— The acetates are compounds of acetic acid with other elements. Many of them are extensively used in manufacture. The following are of the greatest commercial importance :— Acetate of Lead, sometimes called sugar of lead, is used largely in the preparation of other compounds required in dye-works and bjr calico printers—viz., the acetates of iron, manganese, and aluminium. Acetate of Potassium exists in nature in the juices of many plants. It is made artificially by dissolving carbonate of potassium in acetic acid, and is used in making the anhydrous acid, and in other purposes. Acetate of Calcium.—Lime is very commonly used in the purification of pyroligneous acid, in the course of which process this acetate is produced. It is used in the manufacture of the acetates of iron, sodium, manganese, and aluminium. Acetate of Sodium is made by treating a solu- tion of the acetate of calcium with sulphate of sodium, when an interchange of the acids takes place. It is used in the preparation of acetic ether. Acetate of Tin is made from that of lead, and used by calico printers to impart light spirit colours.
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