Page:Willich, A. F. M. - The Domestic Encyclopædia (Vol. 3, 1802).djvu/195

175&#93; MAS •n account of its medicinal pro- perties, and may be propagated eitlier bv sowing its seed, or by parting the roots in autumn. IVIasterwort produces a warm and aronntic root, wliicii has been recommended in the dropsy ; as well as in debility of the stomach and bowels. An infusion of it in wine is said to have cured cjuartan agues, after tiie bark had failed. — When chewed, it produces a co- pious flow of saliva, excites a heat- ing but agreeable sensation in the gums ; and frequently atfords re- lief in the rheumatic tooth-ach. — HoFFM.N asserts, that the roots of this vegetable are of great etii- cacy in flatulencies, and the painful colics thence arising: when dried and pulverized, they have sometimes afforded relief in asthmatic. cases, and disorders of the head. — Boiled m a recent slate with lard, they form an ointment, that is reputed to be of considerable efficacy in re- moving ring-worms. — According to B.uTscH, it has also been ad- vantageously employed in tanning. IMASTIC, or MAsTicH.the Sy- rian Herb, or Marum Gkrman- DER, Teucrium Marum, L. a na- tive of warm climates, and which we have incidentally mentioned, p, 369 of our secocd volume. Jts leaves, distilled with water, yield a veiy acrid and penetrating essen- tial oil, M'hich resembles that ob- tained from scurvy-grass. And, though the plant is at present chietiy employed as a cephalic, there is reason to believe that it possesses very powerful diuretic and antiscorbutic virtues. Hence, Dr. Gleditsch strongly recom- inends an infusion of the leaves in wine properly digested, or a tinc- ture prepared in proof-spirit, in Uiseaacs arising from relaxation MAS Ur^ of the solids, or a redundancy of viscid humours, such as letha,""- gVj humid asthma, obstruftions of the intestines, green sickness, swelling of the limbs, and the true scurvy. Being, hov/ever, an ac- tive medicine, the doses ought at first to be small, and but gradually increased ; for instance, from one to three table-spoonfuls of the vin- ous infusion ; or an equal number of tea-spoonfuls of the spirituous tincture should be taken, three or four times in a day. MASTICATION, the aft of chewing or grinding the solid parts of food between the teeth, by the- united motion of tJie jaws, tongue,. and lips ; in consequence of wnicli it is broken into small pieces, mixed with the saliva, and thus adapted for deglutition, as well as a more easy digestion. Tills process in the animal eco- nomv is so essential lo the prospe- rity of the individual, that those who are unfortunateiy deprived of their teeth, seldom enjoy a good state of health. Being unable to masticate solid ood, they have re- coarse to rich soups, broths, jellies, &c. all of which require not only vigorous organs of digestion, but likewise; a proper share of exercise: both conditions rarely coiicur in favour of die aged or decrepid, so that their fluids become gradually- tainted with an unnatural acrimony ; a disposition to a full ijiibit or ple- thora is often induced 5 or the con-- stitution is otherwise impaired. — Hence al.so the absurdity of sutfcr- ing nur.ses (who are perhaps the masked vi.^lims of disease) to chew the victuals of healthy and uncon- taminatcd infants. — It is equallv' pernicious to swallow solid food at meals, in so expeditious a manner as to allow no time for proper mas- tication.