Page:Willich, A. F. M. - The Domestic Encyclopædia (Vol. 3, 1802).djvu/176

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M A N
M A N

dians prepare wine; and the remainder produces excellent flour.

Every attempt to propagate the mango-tree in Europe, has hitherto failed; and Miller is of opinion, that the stones will not vegetate, unless they be planted shortly after the fruit is ripe. He therefore suggests the expedient of importing the young plants from India, in boxes tilled with earth; so that they may afterwards be kept in the tan-bed of a hot-house.

MANNA, the juice obtained from several species of ash, particularly the Fraxinus rotundifolia and Ornus, growing in Italy and Sicily. When naturally concreted on the tree, this juice is called manna in the tear: but, if it exude on straws or chips of wood affixed to the tree for that purpose, it is called canulated, or flaky manna.

This drug, commonly sold in the shops, is obtained by making incisions in the tree, after the spontaneous exudation has ceased: it consists of larger masses, and is of a deeper red than that which flows without wounding the tree.

The best Calabrian manna is imported in oblong, light, friable flakes, or pieces, of a whitish, or pale yellow shade, and somewhat transparent. The inferior sorts are moist, unctuous, and of a darker colour.

Manna is a mild and agreeable laxative, which may be safely administered to children and the aged; though, in some constitutions, it is apt to induce flatulency, and to distend the bowels; but this inconvenience may be remedied by the addition of a little cinnamon water, or other warm aromatic. The dose for children is, according to their age, from one to three drams; and for adults, one ounce, or one ounce and a half: as, however, its operation, when taken by itself, is very mild, and sometimes imperceptible, it is generally given in laxative mineral waters, or combined with salts, senna, rhubarb, or similar aperient medicines.

Lastly, we can speak from experience, that manna is one of the most useful demulcents in the humid asthma, and similar pituitous as well as inflammatory affections of the breast; that it beneficially promotes expectoration, and is of peculiar service in the second stage of the small-pox, or during the suppuration of the pustules.

Manners. See Good Breeding; vol. i. p. 338.

MANSLAUGHTER, a species of homicide, denotes the unlawful killing of another, without any malice, either express or implied: it may be perpetrated either voluntarily, in consequence of a sudden dispute; or involuntarily, though in the commission of some unlawful act. Thus, if two persons rashly quarrel and fight, so that one of them kill the other, the act is manslaughter: the case is similar, if they go out into a field to fight, because it is one continued scene of passion; and our law does not consider a hasty and deliberate deed in the same scale of guilt. Farther, if a man be grossly insulted by another pulling his nose, and if he immediately kill the aggressor, it constitutes only manslaughter; though the act cannot be justified on the plea of self-defence, because there is no absolute necessity for doing it with a view to self-preservation. It must, however, be remarked, both in this and every other case of homicide in consequence of provocation, that if there

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