church history, a name given to such persons as could not partake of the cup of the eucharist on account of their natural aversion to wine. Calvinists allow these to communicate in the species or bread only, touching the cup with their lip; which, on the other hand, is by the Lutherans deemed a profanation.

Abstemious, is properly understood of a person who refrains absolutely from all use of wine.

The history of Mr Wood, in the Medic. Trans. vol. ii. p. 261, art. 18. is a very remarkable exemplification of the very beneficial alterations which may be effected on the human body by a strict course of abstinence.

The Roman ladies, in the first ages of the republic, abstemious were all enjoined to be abstemious; and that it might appear, by their breath, whether or no they kept up to the injunction, it was one of the laws of the Roman civility, that they should kiss their friends and relations whenever they accosted them.

Abstemius, Laurentius, a native of Macerata, professor of belles lettres, in Urbino, and librarian of Duke Guido Ubaldo, under the pontificate of Alexander VI. He wrote, 1. Notes on most difficult passages of ancient authors. 2. Hecatomthium, i.e. A collection of an hundred fables, &c. which have been often printed with those of Æsop, Phædrus, Gabrias, Avicenus, &c. and a preface to the edition of Aurelius Victor published at Venice in 1595.

Abstergent medicines, those employed for resolving obstructions, concretions, &c. such as soap, &c.