flatulence, in medicine; vapours generated in the stomach and intestines, chiefly occasioned by a weakness of these parts. They occasion distentions, uneasy sensation, and sickness, and often a considerable degree of pain. See (the Index subjoined to) Medicine.

Flavel (John), an eminent nonconformist minister, was educated at University-college, in Oxford; and became minister of Deptford, and afterwards of Dartmouth in Devonshire, where he resided the greatest part of his life, and was admired for his preaching. Though he was generally respected at Dartmouth; yet, in 1685, several of the aldermen of that town, attended by the rabble, carried about a ridiculous effigy of him, to which were affixed the Bill of Exclusion and the Covenant. Upon this occasion, he thought it prudent to withdraw from the town; not knowing what treatment he might meet with from a riotous mob, headed by magistrates who were themselves among the lowest of mankind. Part of his Diary, printed with his Remains, must give the reader a high idea of his piety. He died in 1691, aged 61; and after his death, his works, which consisted of many pieces of practical divinity, were printed in two volumes folio. Among these, the most famous are his "Navigation Spiritualized, or a New Compass for Seamen, consisting of 32 points of pleasant observations and serious reflections," of which there have been several editions in 8vo; and his "Husbandry Spiritualized, &c. with occasional meditations upon beasts, birds, trees, flowers, rivers, and several other objects," of which also there have been many editions in octavo.