In this country, wheat which has been blighted or infected with the parasitic plant called mildew; has sometimes produced very bad effects, not unlike the severe burning at stomach, and the mortification which supervene on the use of spurred rye on the Continent. Not long ago, several families living in England were nearly destroyed by their using some diseased grain, which a farmer, knowing it to be bad, had sold at a reduced price. Other plants are sometimes known to be attacked with disease, and in that state are ascertained to inflict much mischief. The potato is more particularly injurious when its quality is bad. Plants, like animals, may be affected with disease, and may be most unwholesome, without exhibiting any very marked signs of their morbid condition. DRINK. Drink is as essential as food itself, to the maintenance of the health of man. Thirst is no less urgent than hunger itself, and it often happens that it must be satisfied when the calls of the appetite for food are unheard. Drink of a wholesome quality is highly salubrious, and conduces much to maintain the blood, and the various humours in a healthy condition. Water is the only beverage with which Providence has directly supplied his creatures, and is, under ordinary circumstances, the liquid of all others the best adapted to their use. Pure water is refreshing, cooling, and dilutes the blood, which, without some diluent, would become too thick to move readily along its containing vessels, to perform aright its manifold duties, and to accomplish its numerous purposes in the animal economy. Water taken into the stomach goes to supply that very considerable part of the mass of blood which is constantly earned off in the shape of sensible and insensible perspiration, and of other secretions, and to correct the tendency in that vital fluid, to become irritating and acrimonious from the formation and accumulation of various salts. In order that the deleterious action of some liquids may be the more readily understood, we will inquire how drink, which is taken into the stomach, is there disposed of. One of the chief objects which is obtained from the use of drink, is the dilution and mollifying of the blood; and in order that this important purpose may be effected, it is necessary that they be brought in contact and mixed with each other.