Page:The American Cyclopædia (1879) Volume XII.djvu/114

 106 MUSTARD stituent of the white mustard seed only. An- other respect in which white mustard seed dif- fers from the black is the mucilage contained in the husks, which is readily imparted to boiling wa ter. Mustard has been employed in medi- cine from very early times, and is mentioned by Theophrastus and Galen, and it is still much used in domestic and professional prac- tice. The whole seeds of the white mustard were at one time a popular remedy in dyspep- sia ; given in the dose of a tablespoonf ul, they probably served as a mechanical stimulus to torpid bowels. Serious inflammation has fol- lowed their use, and it should not be under- taken without advice. The flour of mustard is a useful emetic always at hand in case of poi- soning or other emergency ; the dose is from a teaspoonful to a tablespoonful stirred in a tum- bler of water. As a topical stimulant, in the form of a mustard poultice or sinapism, itia in frequent use ; when the mustard is pure, its action is sufficiently prompt if mixed with an equal bulk of rye meal or wheat flour; but much of that found in the shops is already so far diluted as to be nearly inert. For this or any other use the mustard should be mixed with cold or tepid water, as hot water coagu- lates the myrosine and prevents the develop- ment of the active principle. The ready-made mustard plaster sold by druggists consists of the black seeds reduced to a coarse powder, which is sprinkled upon paper or stiff cloth on which a coat of thick mucilage has been spread ; when dry this will keep well, and when re- quired for use is rendered active by dipping it in tepid water and bound upon the desired spot; this is more certain in its action and more cleanly in use than any other form of sinapism. As mustard varies so much in strength, and the skin of individuals in sus- ceptibility, the action of mustard when applied should be closely watched, else a troublesome ulcer may be produced ; this is especially ne- cessary when the patient is unconscious. As a condiment the uses of mustard are well known; it is mentioned by Shakespeare in " Taming of the Shrew," act 4, scene 3, though it did not become common until the time of George I. The English and Americans usually mix mustard with water and a little salt, but the French and Germans prepare it with va- rious flavoring articles and usually cook it, de- priving it of much of its pungency. The im- ported French mustard is of various flavors, that containing tarragon being much esteemed ; celery seed, garlic, cloves, anchovies, and other things are used, and in some cases a peculiar flavor is given by stirring the mixture with a hot poker. German mustard is mixed with vinegar in which black pepper, cinnamon anc other spices, and onions have been boiled, with salt and sugar added ; the vinegar is used boil- ing, hence the mustard is very mild; it im- proves by keeping. Wild mustard, the char- lock of English farmers, is brassica sinapis- trum (formerly sinapis arvensis), a troublesome MUTINY weed in European agriculture, and equally so n the grain fields of some of the older parts of the United States ; it bears a general resem- jlance to the two species already noticed, but ts leaves are less divided, and the nearly smooth pods have their seed-bearing portion onger than the stout two-edged beak, which .s either empty or one-seeded. The seeds of this, if buried so low that they will not germi- nate, retain their vitality for a long time, and aave been known to vegetate when brought to the surface after having been buried more khan 40 years. Sheep are exceedingly fond of it, and are sometimes used to clear a field of charlock. In Japan, India, and other countries related species are cultivated for their leaves as food, or for their seeds to furnish oil. The attempts to identify the plant mentioned as mustard in the New Testament have given rise to much discussion ; some still hold that the black mustard, which in Palestine grows 10 or 12 ft. high, is the plant, while others re- fer it to Salvadora Indica, which according to Boyle was the mustard tree of the Jews. The order Salvadoracew is a small one closely re- lated to the jasmine family. Hedge mustard is sisymbrium officinale, a common, much- branched, unsightly weed, of the same family ; it is the Jierb au chantre of the French, who formerly held it in esteem as a remedy for the hoarseness of singers. Tansy mustard is S.. canescem, with finely divided leaves, common from New York southward. MCTINA. See MODENA. MUTINY (Fr. mutin, refractory, stubborn; mutiner, to rise in arms). A century ago the word mutiny was, as we learn from lexicog- raphers, often used in describing insurrec- tion or sedition in civil society; but it is now applied exclusively to certain offences by sailors and soldiers. Properly it is the act of numbers in resistance of authority; but by statutes certain acts of individuals are declared to be mutiny. The act of congress of March 3, 1835, defines mutiny or revolt in the follow- ing language: "If any one or more (^f the crew of any American ship or vessel on the high seas, or any other waters within the mari- time and admiralty jurisdiction of the United States, shall unlawfully, wilfully, and with force or by fraud, threats, or other intimida- tions, usurp the command of such ship or ves- sel from the master or other lawful command- ing officer thereof ; or deprive him of his au- thority and command on board thereof; or resist or prevent him in the free and lawful exercise thereof; or transfer such authority and comman.d to any other person not legally entitled thereto ; every such person so offend- ing, his aiders and abettors, shall be deemed guilty of a revolt or mutiny and felony." The same statute provides for endeavors and con- spiracies to excite mutiny. In construction of the act it has been held that mere disobedience of orders by one or two of the seamen, with- out any attempt to excite a general resistance