Listeria: Definition Of Five “C” Words (1912)

Capital Punishment: The legal infliction of death for crime. In early ages, for want of public organization, it was conducted as a bloodfeud by the family wronged, and could be compounded, under the Saxons, by regulated payments. In later Europe, with organized states, but with lack of prisons and police and dread of violence, it was very common, being the penalty for petty thefts. It is now practically inflicted only for murder, and the sentimentality of American juries with an exaggerated exactness in rules of evidence, has made it much rarer than in England. There is a tendency in Southern Europe to change all capital punishment into life imprisonment, but much stricter and more hopeless than in the United States. Death is inflicted by hanging, electrocution, the guillotine or garrote, and no longer in public.

Chewing gum: A tough flavored gum, used for taste and nervous relief in the United States.

Child Sanitation: The larger cities of the United States are now following the German system of regular free medical and dental inspection and treatment of school children, followed, where necessary, by visits at home. Careful attention to imperfect eyes, prescription of glasses, and removal of adenoids, have great influence in the development of future citizens. Free parks and playgrounds are introduced wherever possible; the school and school-grounds employed out of hours and in vacation time, for voluntary classes; amusements and calisthenics, singing, dancing, and games are taught, and a system of school teams and friendly competition fostered. Roof-gardens, amusement piers, free-baths, and excursions are beneficial in crowded neighborhoods.

Clitoris: A small muscular organ, the most sensitive part of the genitals of the female mammal, very much subject to a diseased condition caused by malpractices.

Colic: A spasmodic and painful affection of the bowels, more especially of the colon, known to exist in several forms–the nervous, hysteric, bilious, hepatic, etc. A considerable accumulation of wind, neglected constipation and also the contrary, the action of powerful purgatives, also exposure to cold, are some of the causes of colic. The paroxysmal pain is often relieved by pressure or massage over the pained part, usually in the region of the navel. When flatulence is accountable for colic, it is often relieved by warm water injections. Narcotics and anodynes should never be used without the order of a physician as they often do more harm than good.

•Taken from the 1912 Standard Illustrated Book of Facts.

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