Dancing: In a general way, dancing may be defined as the expression of inward feelings by means of rhythmical movement of the body, especially of the lower limbs, usually accompanied by music. It may be said to be almost as old as humanity, prevailing among savages as well as among the most highly civilized nations. It was originally a constituent of religious rites. Among the Romans, dancing at a private entertainment was restricted to professional dancers, and this is still the custom in the East. With us it is a favorite form of entertainment, especially among young people. It is doubtless liable to abuse but not more so than other forms of social intercourse.
Drowning: Life often exists after apparent death, and no efforts toward resuscitation should be neglected. Turn the body on the face, life the stomach and gently shake water from the mouth; or roll on a barrel. Lay on the back, gently draw the tongue forward. Imitate breathing by lifting the lower ribs every few seconds, while raising and lowering the arms. Repeat this for hours. Rub hands. Apply hot water bags or bricks to stomach and feet and between thighs. If symptoms of life appear lay in a warm bed with plenty of air. Give teaspoons of brandy, and allow repose.
Drunkenness: In law drunkenness cannot be pleaded to avoid a contract. Coke held that the drunkard had invited the devil which possessed him, and was responsible for its consequences. In criminal law it is no justification for battery, trespass or defamation; if burglary is charged it may be shown that the premises were entered without intent to steal.
Ducking-Stool: The name of an old English instrument of punishment, consisting of a chair suspended by a pole over a sheet of water. It was used for “common-scolds,” the virago being tied in the chair and dipped in the water.
Dwarfs: These deformed creatures were mentioned in Libya by Herodotus and were discovered by Du Chailu (1858), and Stanley (1888). They are small, wild, shy, cunning, hunted by stronger races into the deepest forests, living almost like animals, as the wreckage of a prehistoric race in arrested development, The Bushmen of the Kalahari Desert are also stunted. The dwarf races are found in the Andaman Islands, Malacca, and the Philippines, where the United States government is trying to develop them. Abnormal dwarfs among well formed nations exhibit a defect in the development of the bones, such as is found in rickets. Giants are slow and stupid, dwarfs sensitive, suspicious, jealous, shrewd and observant. A dwarf 21 inches high, 25 years of age, was presented to Henrietta of France in a pie, and this was the height of Francis Flynn at 16; the woman, Hilamy Agyba of Sinai is 15 inches high.
•Taken from the 1912 Standard Illustrated Book of Facts.
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