times found in chimnies. In the course of the present year, Mr. SMART has, in the presence of many respectable witnesses, effectually cleansed several lofty and crooked chimnies. So completely does this invention answer the plan proposed by the several societies who have undertaken to advocate the cause of the poor climbingboys, that nothing is now wanting to put an end to the common mode of chimney-sweeping. By Mr. SMART'S method, a chimney fifty feet high, may be swept in six or eight minutes, and with much less dirt than happens by the common mode."]

SWEET-BRIAR.

.414.

See vol. iv. p.

SWEET-FERN. See CICELY, the

Sweet.

SWEET-FLAG. [See ACORNS.]
SWEET-WILLIAM. See vol. iv.

cline his belly towards the surface; the head and neck being erect; the breast pressing forward; the thorax being inflated, and the back bent. Next, the legs must be withdrawn from the bottom, while they are extended or stretched out; and the arms should be stricken forwards, corresponding with the motion of the former.

Swimming on the back is not essentially different from the method just described, excepting that the arms are not exerted, and the progressive motion is derived solely from the striking of the legs.

With respect to diving, or plunging under water, Dr. F. observes, that the swimmer must close his hands together; and, the chin being pressed upon his breast, he ought to make an exertion to bend forwards with energy while he continues in this position, he should move with velocity under the waSee GALE, ter; and, when he wishes to return to the surface, it will be sufficient to bend his head backward, in consequence of which he will instantly rise.

SWIMMING, is the art of floating, or supporting the human body on the surface of water, with a progressive undulating motion.

This art is in a manner natural to man (see AMPHIBIOUS ANIMALS); and, from its evident utility, it has in all ages formed part of the education both of barbarous and civilized nations....As an outline of the principles on which it is practised, may be a mean of saving persons accidentally fallen into deep water, we shall give a few directions to that effect, selected from the instructions of Dr. FRANKLIN, and confirmed by our own experience. First, the learner ought to walk courageously into the water, till the fluid reaches to his breast; when he must gently de

From the natural timidity, or antipathy to water, which in some individuals is constitutional, novices in swimming have been advised to employ bladders or corks, for the purpose of supporting the body above the surface; a practice which has been severely censured. Dr. F. is, however, of opinion, that such auxiliary means are useful, while the pupil is acquiring the mode of drawing in, and striking out the hands; which is absolutely necessary to a progressive motion. But, as no person can become a perfect adept, till he can sufficiently confide in the capacity of the water to support him, he ought to walk into a

place, where it grows gradually deeper, till it reach to the breast: the face must then be turned towards the shore, and an egg be thrown into the water, to such a depth that it can only be obtained by diving. The novice is then to plunge down, when he will find that the element buoys him up against his inclination: he will feel its power of keeping him afloat, and consequently learn to venture into it, without apprehension.

Considered as an exercise Swimming is equally amusing and useful; because it combines the advantages of the cold bath and muscular exertion. Hence we would uniformly recommend to plunge into the water with the head foremost; while the body is neither cold nor overheated: no dangerous rivers, or muddy streams, should be selected; nor should this attempt be made, till the water has in some degree been warmed by the genial rays of the sun.... Other precautions, necessary to be observed, have already been stated under the article BATH. See also BAMBOE-HABIT, and CORK. [Swimming Jacket....From the History of the Royal Academy of Sciences at Paris,for the year 1765. This swimming jacket was proposed to the Academy, by the Abbot de la Chapelle, under the name of Scaphander, or Man in a boat,' from the Greek words Exán, boat, and a man. It is a sort of waistcoat without sleeves, which descends as far as the hips, and buttons before. It is composed of two strong pieces of tent-cloth or ticking, between which are fixed some square pieces of cork, and the whole is closed at bottom with a border of double cloth, projecting from the back to pass between the

swimmer's legs, and to be fastened before. By the help of this jacket, and the art wherewith the Abbot de la Chapelle has distributed his pieces of cork in it, one may float in the water standing, and keep the head and arms above water. In the experiment that was made of it by the Abbot de la Chapelle, he could converse with those that were in a boat to see him; he could lift to his mouth victuals and drink, fire off a pistol; flourish with a sword, stick, &c. assume all possible situations, and make progressive motions by the help of his hands and legs. The notion of these sorts of jackets is not new.

The Academy gave an account of one, in 1757, presented by M. DE GELACY, Colonel of foot, and was not ignorant of the attempts that had been made by M. DE PUY-SEGUR for swimming, by the help of a belt of cork, fastened to a sort of cloth slipper, the sole of which was loaded with lead. This would be a good expedient for soldiers, who were to swim over a river with their arms in their hands but, as to the case

of shipwreck, which the ABBOT DE LA CHAPELLE had principally in view, it appears, that his scaphander is preferable to all the inventions of this sort hitherto known,

as well because it is more secure in point of use, as because, in a sudden and unexpected case, its application is more ready, and it causes no embarrassment. See SPENCER and CORK.]

SWINE. See Hoc.

SWINGING, a species of passive exercise, which is performed in certain contrivances, known under the name of swinging machines, or cars; by the undulating motion of which, the body is tossed in an

ascending and descending direc

tion.

Swinging greatly contributes to health; and has occasionally proved very serviceable to persons of consumptive habits: it is likewise of considerable advantage to sedentary individuals; but it ought not to be repeated, if it excite giddiness, head-ach, or other unpleasant effects.

cotic poisons; and affections of the interior organs.

Cure....The patient should immediately be exposed to the open air, and be sprinkled with cold water on the neck and face. Strong, pungent odours, or volatile spirits held to the nostrils, ought to be used with caution: and only where the strength of the patient has been considerably reduced, espeSWOON, or Syncope, is a sud- cially in hysterics and hypochonden fainting, in which the action of driasis; in these cases, spirit of the heart is diminished, or for a hartshorn, tincture of valerian, castime entirely suspended. It is tor, or asafoetida may be inhaled generally preceded by anxiety, with advantage....If the swooning difficult respiration; the pulse be- originate from anger, and be ating low and tremulous; the pa- tended with nausea, vomiting, bittient turning cold and pale, so ter taste, and pain at the pit of the that he is nearly deprived of all stomach, a gentle emetic may be sensation......In some instances, given, with copious draughts of these symptoms are more urgent; warm chamomile tea similar the limbs are flexible, but exhausted of their strength; and the whole body is in a state of deadly, cold torpor. It is remarkable, that patients, during the fit, often hear the whole conversation respecting them, but feel the want of power to exert themselves: the recovery is, in most cases, announced by deep and heavy sighs.

When swooning occurs in the commencement of acute disorders, it is generally an unfavourable omen; though, in the advanced stages, it is less alarming: in violent bleedings, it frequently affords relief; but, when faintings occur, without any apparent cause, there will be just apprehension of danger.

Causes....Long continued exertions of the mind, such as deep study; violent passions; loss of strength from profuse evacuations, particularly of blood; hunger; pain; want of rest; surfeits; impure air; worms; nar

means may likewise be employed in consequence of a surfeit..... Persons of a plethoric habit, when fainting from violence of passion, ought immediately to lose a few ounces of blood from the arm; and afterwards take a cooling aperient, for instance, infusions of senna,tamarinds with manna,salts, &c. If it arise from excess of pain, benefit may be derived from opium: and, when it is occasioned by a fit of terror, or a sudden fright, first blood-letting,then small doses of laudanum and antimonial wine, (from five to ten drops of the former, and double that proportion of the latter), will tend to compose the nerves, and to promote perspiration.....Poisons and worms require the treatment mentioned under their respective heads..... When the fit of swooning is the effect of too violent purgatives or emetics, a few drops of the tincture of opium, in conjunction with an aromatic