=MARSHMALLOW.= _Syn._ ALTHaeA (Ph. L. & E.), L. The root (leaves and root--Ph. E.) of _Althaea officinalis_, Linn., or common marshmallow. (Ph.
L.) It is emollient and demulcent; the decoction is useful in irritation of the respiratory and urinary organs, and of the alimentary canal. The flowers as well as the root are reputed pectoral.
=MARTIN'S POWDER.= A mixture of white arsenic and the powdered stems of _Orobanche virginiana_ (Linn.), a plant common in Virginia. An American quack remedy for cancer.
=MASS.= _Syn._ MASSA, L. This term is commonly applied in pharmacy and veterinary medicine to certain preparations which are not made up into their ultimate form. Thus, we have 'ball-masses,' 'pill-masses,' &c.; of which, for convenience, large quantities are prepared at a time, and are kept in pots or jars, ready to be divided into balls or pills, as the demands of business may require. (See _below_.)
=MASSES (Veterinary).=[24]
[Footnote 24: Reprinted from Tuson's 'Veterinary Pharmacopia.']
=Massa Aloes.= MASS OF ALOES. _Syn._ CATHARTIC MASS. _Prep._ Take of Barbadoes aloes, in small pieces, 8 parts; glycerin, 2 parts; ginger, in powder, 1 part; melt together in a water bath, and thoroughly incorporate by frequent stirring.--_Use._ Cathartic for the horse.--_Dose._ From 6 to 8 dr.
=Massa Aloes Composita.= COMPOUND MASS OF ALOES. _Syn._ ALTERATIVE MASS.
_Prep._ Take of Barbadoes aloes, in powder, 1 oz.; soft soap, 1 oz.; common mass, 6 oz.; thoroughly incorporate by beating in a mortar, so as to form a mass.--_Use._ Alterative for the horse.--_Dose_, 1 oz.
=Massa Antimonii Tartarata Composita.= COMPOUND MASS OF TARTARATED ANTIMONY. _Syn._ FEVER BALL. _Prep._ Take of tartrated antimony, in powder, 1/2 dr.; camphor, in powder, 1/2 dr.; nitrate of potash, in powder, 2 dr.; common mass, a sufficiency; mix so as to form a bolus.--_Use._ Febrifuge for the horse.--_Dose._ The above mixture constitutes 1 dose.
=Massa Belladonnae Composita.= COMPOUND MASS OF BELLADONNA. _Syn._ COUGH BALL. _Prep._ Take of extract of belladonna, 1/2 to 1 dr.; Barbadoes aloes, in powder, 1 dr.; nitrate of potash, in powder, 2 dr.; common mass, a sufficiency; mix so as to form a bolus.--_Use._ For the horse in chronic cough.--_Dose._ The above mixture constitutes 1 dose.
=Massa Cathechu Composita.= COMPOUND MASS OF CATECHU. _Syn._ ASTRINGENT MASS. _Prep._ Take of extract of catechu, in fine powder, 1 oz.; cinnamon bark, in fine powder, 1 oz.; common mass, 6 oz.; mix.--_Use._ Astringent for the horse.--_Dose_, 1 oz., in the form of a bolus.
=Massa Communis.= COMMON MASS. _Prep._ Take of linseed, finely ground, and treacle, of each equal parts; mix together so as to form a mass.--_Use._ An excipient for medicinal agents when they are to be administered in the form of bolus.
=Massa Cupri Sulphatis.= MASS OF SULPHATE OF COPPER. _Syn._ TONIC MASS.
_Prep._ Take of sulphate of copper, finely powdered, 1 oz.; ginger, in powder, 1 oz.; common mass, 6 oz.; mix.--_Use._ Tonic for the horse.--_Dose_, 6 to 8 dr.
=Massa Digitalis Composita.= COMPOUND MASS OF DIGITALIS. _Syn._ COUGH BALL. _Prep._ Take of Barbadoes aloes, in powder, 2 oz.; digitalis, 1 oz.; common mass, 13 oz.; mix.--_Use._ For the horse in chronic cough.--_Dose_, 1 oz. once or twice a day.
=Massa Ferri Sulphatis.= MASS OF SULPHATE OF IRON. _Syn._ TONIC MASS.
_Prep._ Take of sulphate of iron, in powder, 2 oz.; ginger, in powder, 1 oz.; common mass, 5 oz.; mix.--_Use._ Tonic for the horse.--_Dose_, 6 to 8 dr.
=Massa Resinae Composita.= COMPOUND MASS OF RESIN. _Syn._ DIURETIC MASS.
_Prep._ Take of resin, in powder, nitrate of potash, in powder, hard soap, of each equal parts; mix.--_Use._ Diuretic for the horse.--_Dose_, 1 oz.
=Massa Zingiberis Composita.= COMPOUND MASS OF GINGER. _Syn._ CORDIAL MASS. _Prep._ Take of ginger, in powder, gentian root, in powder, treacle, of each equal parts, a sufficiency; mix so as to form a mass.--_Use._ Stomachic for the horse.--_Dose_, 1 oz.
=MAS'SICOT.= _Syn._ MASTICOT, YELLOW PROTOXIDE OF LEAD; PLUMBI OXYDUM FLAVUM, CERUSSA CITRINA, L. The dross that forms on melted lead exposed to a current of air, roasted until it acquires a uniform yellow colour.
Artists often apply the same name to white lead roasted until it turns yellow. Used as a pigment.
=MAS'TIC.= _Syn._ MASTICH, GUM MASTIC; MASTICHE, L. The "resin flowing from the incised bark of _Pistacia Lentiscus_, var. _Chia_." (Ph. L.) It occurs in pale yellowish, transparent, rounded tears, which soften between the teeth when chewed, and giving out a bitter, aromatic taste. Sp. gr.
107. It is soluble in both rectified spirit and oil of turpentine, forming varnishes. It is chiefly used as a 'masticatory,' to strengthen and preserve the teeth, and perfume the breath.
=Mastic.= Fine mortar or cement used for plastering walls, in which the ingredients, in a pulverulent state, are mixed up, either entirely or with a considerable portion of linseed oil. It sets very hard, and is ready to receive paint in a few days. See CEMENTS.
=MASTICA'TION.= The act of chewing food, by which it not only becomes comminuted, but mixed with the saliva, and reduced to a form fit for swallowing. It has been justly regarded by the highest authorities as the first process of digestion, and one without which the powers of the stomach are overtasked, and often performed with difficulty. Hence the prevalence of dyspepsia and bowel complaints among persons with bad teeth, or who 'bolt' their food without chewing it.
=MAS'TICATORIES.= _Syn._ MASTICATORIA, L. Substances taken by chewing them. They are employed as intoxicants, cosmetics, and medicinals; generally with the first intention. The principal masticatory used in this country is tobacco. In Turkey, and several other Eastern nations, opium is taken in a similar manner. In India, a mixture of areca nut, betel leaf, and lime, performs the same duties; whilst in some other parts of the world preparations of the cacao are employed. As cosmetics, orris root, cassia, cinnamon, and sandal wood are frequently chewed to scent the breath. Among medicinals, mastic and myrrh are frequently chewed to strengthen the teeth and gums; pellitory, to relieve the toothache; and rhubarb, ginger, and gentian, to relieve dyspepsia and promote the appetite.
_Prep._ 1. (Augustin.) Mastic, pellitory (both in powder), and white wax, of each 1 dr.; mixed by heat and divided into 6 balls. In toothache, loose teeth, &c.
2. (W. Cooley.) Mastic, myrrh, and white wax, of each 1 part; rhubarb, ginger, and extract of gentian, of each 2 parts; beaten up with tincture of tolu, q. s., and divided into boluses or lozenges of 10 gr. each. One or two to be chewed an hour before dinner; in dyspepsia, defective appetite, &c.
3. (Quincy.) Mastic, 3 oz.; pellitory and stavesacre seed, of each 2 dr.; cubebs and nutmegs, of each 1 dr.; angelica root, 1/2 dr.; melted wax, q. s. to make it into small balls. As a stimulant to the gums, and in toothache.
4. Opium, ginger, rhubarb, mastic, pellitory of Spain, and orris root, of each 1 dr.; melted spermaceti, q. s. to mix; for 6-gr. pills. As the last, and in toothache and painful gums.
=MAS'TICOT.= See MASSICOT.
=MATCHES (Cooper's).= _Syn._ SWEETENING MATCHES. These are made by dipping strips of coarse linen or canvas into melted brimstone. For use, the brimstone on one of them is set on fire, and the match is then at once suspended in the cask, and the bung loosely set in its place. After the lapse of 2 or 3 hours the match is removed and the cask filled with liquor. Some persons pour a gallon or two of the liquor into the cask before 'matching' it. The object is to allay excessive fermentation. The operation is commonly adopted in the Western Counties for cider intended for shipment, or other long exposure during transport. It is also occasionally employed for inferior and 'doctored' wines.
=MATCHES (Instantaneous Light).= Of these there are several varieties, of which the one best known, and most extensively used, is the common phosphorus match, known as the 'congreve' or 'lucifer.'[25] We need not describe the 'chemical matches,' 'phosphorus bottles,' and 'prometheans,'
in use during the early part of the present century, as these are quite obsolete. We will simply sketch the general process of manufacture now in use for phosphorus matches:
[Footnote 25: The original 'LUCIFERS,' or 'LIGHT-BEARING MATCHES,'
invented in 1826, consisted of strips of pasteboard, or flat splints of wood, tipped first with sulphur, and then with a mixture of sulphide of antimony and chlorate of potassa, and were ignited by drawing them briskly through folded glass-paper. They required a considerable effort to ignite them, and the composition was apt to be torn off by the violence of the friction. The term 'lucifer' having become familiar, was applied to the simpler and more effective match afterwards introduced under the names of 'CONGREVE' and 'CONGREVE LIGHT,']
_Manuf._ The wooden splints are cut by steam machinery from the very best quality of pine planks, perfectly dried at a temperature of 400 Fahr.
English splints are of two sizes--'large' and 'minnikins,' the former 2-1/4 inches longer, and the latter somewhat shorter. In the manufacture double-lengths are used, so that each splint may be coated with the igniting composition at both ends, and then cut asunder in the middle to form two matches. In England the splints are usually cut square in form, but in Germany they are cylindrical, being prepared by forcing the wood through circular holes in a steel plate. The ends of the double splints having been slightly charred by contact with a red-hot plate, are coated with sulphur by dipping them to the requisite depth in the melted material. In some cases the ends are saturated with melted wax or paraffin instead of sulphur. The splints are then arranged in a frame between grooved boards in such a manner that the prepared ends project on each side of the frame. These projecting ends are then tipped with the phosphorus composition, which is spread to a uniform depth of about 1/8 inch on a smooth slab of stone, kept warm by means of steam beneath. When partially dry, the tipped splints are taken from the frames, cut through the middle, and placed in heaps of 100, ready for 'boxing.'
The different compositions for tipping the matches in use in different countries and factories all consist essentially of emulsions of phosphorus in a solution of glue or gum, with or without other matters for increasing the combustibility, for colouring, &c. In England the composition contains a considerable quantity of chlorate of potassa, which imparts a snapping and flaming quality to the matches tipped with it, and but little phosphorus, on account of the moisture of the climate. In Germany the proportion of phosphorus used is much larger, and nitre, or some metallic peroxide, replaces chlorate of potassa. The German matches light quietly with a mild lambent flame, and are injured quickly by damp. The following formulae have been selected:
1. (ENGLISH.) Fine glue, 2 parts, broken into small pieces, and soaked in water till quite soft, is added to water, 4 parts, and heated by means of a water bath until it is quite fluid, and at a temperature of 200 to 212 Fahr. The vessel is then removed from the fire, and phosphorus, 1-1/2 to 2 parts, is gradually added, the mixture being agitated briskly and continually with a 'stirrer' having wooden pegs or bristles projecting at its lower end. When a uniform emulsion is obtained, chlorate of potassa, 4 to 5 parts, powdered glass, 3 to 4 parts, and red lead, smalt, or other colouring matter, a sufficient quantity (all in a state of very fine powder) are added, one at a time, to prevent accidents, and the stirring continued until the mixture is comparatively cool.
According to Mr G. Gore, the above proportions are those of the best quality of English composition. The matches tipped with it deflagrate with a snapping noise. (See _above_.)
2. (GERMAN.)--_a._ (Bottger.) Dissolve gum Arabic, 16 parts, in the least possible quantity of water, add of phosphorus (in powder), 9 parts, and mix by trituration; then add of nitre, 14 parts; vermillion or binoxide of manganese, 16 parts, and form the whole into a paste, as directed above; into this the matches are to be dipped, and then exposed to dry. As soon as the matches are quite dry they are to be dipped into very dilute copal varnish or lac varnish, and again exposed to dry, by which means they are rendered waterproof, or at least less likely to suffer from exposure in damp weather.
_b._ (Bottger.) Glue, 6 parts, is soaked in a little cold water for 24 hours, after which it is liquefied by trituration in a heated mortar; phosphorus, 4 parts, is now added, and rubbed down at a heat not exceeding 150 Fahr.; nitre (in fine powder), 10 parts, is next mixed in, and afterwards red ochre, 5 parts, and smalt, 2 parts, are further added, and the whole formed into a uniform paste, into which the matches are dipped, as before. Cheaper than the last.
_c._ (Diesel.) Phosphorus, 17 parts; glue, 21 parts; red lead, 24 parts; nitre, 38 parts. Proceed as above.
_Obs._ Matches tipped with the above (_a_, _b_, and _c_) inflame without fulmination when rubbed against a rough surface, and are hence termed 'noiseless matches' by the makers.
3. (SAFETY MATCHES.) The latest improvement of note in the manufacture of matches is that of Landstrom, of Jonkoping, in Sweden, adopted by Messrs Bryant and May (Patent). It consists in dividing the ingredient of the match-mixture into two separate compositions, one being placed on the ends of the splints, as usual, and the other, which contains the phosphorus, being spread in a thin layer upon the end or lid of the box. The following are the compositions used by the patentee:--_a._ (For the splints.) Chlorate of potassa, 6 parts; sulphuret of antimony, 2 to 3 parts; glue, 1 part.--_b._ (For the friction surface.) Amorphous phosphorus, 10 parts; sulphuret of antimony or peroxide of manganese, 8 parts; glue, 3 to 6 parts; spread thinly upon the surface, which has been previously made rough by a coating of glue and sand.
By thus dividing the composition the danger of fire arising from ignition of the matches by accidental friction is avoided, as neither the portion on the splint nor that on the box can be ignited by rubbing against an unprepared surface. Again, by using the innocuous red or amorphous phosphorus, the danger of poisoning is entirely prevented.
=MATe.= _Syn._ PARAGUAY TEA. This is the dried leaf of a small shrub, the _Ilex Paraguayenses_, or Brazilian holly, growing in Paraguay and Brazil; by the inhabitants of which places, as well as South America generally, it is largely employed in the form of a beverage as tea. Its active ingredient, _Paraguaine_, formerly supposed to be a distinct principle, has from further researches into its composition been discovered to be identical with theine and caffeine--the alkaloids of tea and coffee.
Mr Wanklyn ascribes the following composition to mate:--
Moisture 672 Ash 586 Soluble organic matter 2510 Insoluble organic matter 6232 ------ 10000
=MATE"RIA MED'ICA.= A collective name of the various substances, natural and artificial, employed as medicines or in the cure of disease. In its more extended sense it includes the science which treats of their sources, properties, classification, and applications. The _materia medica of the Pharmacopia_ is a mere list, with occasional notes, "embracing the animal, vegetable, and chemical substances, whether existing naturally, prepared in officinal chemical preparations, or sold in wholesale trade, which we (the College) direct to be used either in curing diseases or in preparing medicines." (Ph. L.)
=MAT'ICO.= _Syn._ SOLDIER'S HERB; MATECO (B. P., Ph. D.); MATICA, HERBA MATICae, L. The dried leaves of a Peruvian plant, generally believed to be the _Artanthe elongata_, one of the _Piperaceae_. The leaves have been employed with considerable success as a mechanical external styptic; applied to leech-bites, slight cuts, and other wounds, &c., and pressed on with the fingers, they seldom fail to arrest the bleeding. Matico has also been much lauded as an internal astringent and styptic, in haemorrhages from the lungs, stomach, bowels, uterus, &c.; but as it is nearly destitute of astringent properties, its virtues in these cases must have been inferred from its external action. As an aromatic, bitter stimulant, closely resembling the peppers, it has been proposed as a substitute for cubebs and black pepper, in the treatment of diseases of the mucous membranes, piles, &c.--_Dose_, 1/2 to 2 dr.; in powder; or under the form of infusion, tincture, or boluses.
=MATURA'TION.= Growing ripe. Amongst surgeons this term is applied to the process of suppuration, or that which succeeds inflammation, and by which pus or matter is collected in an abscess. Warmth, irritation, and a liberal diet promote this change; cold, sedatives, and depletion, retard it. The maturation of fermented liquor is noticed under BREWING, MALT LIQUORS, WINES, &c.