Page:Willich, A. F. M. - The Domestic Encyclopædia (Vol. 3, 1802).djvu/196

176] MAS tication. Many persons thus igno- rantly lay the foundation of a foul and disordered stomach ; the con- quences of which are, frequent frudations, flatulency, colic, &c. Every particle of animal or vege- tiible aliment which is eaten in an unmasticated state, requires at least doiihle efforts of the digestive organs, and is not prodaftive of half the nutriment which it would otherwise afford. Daily experience amply corroborates this assertion, especially in the articles of l-oUed animal food, carrots, cucumbers, &c. if hastily consumed. — Lastly, there is a degree of brutality in fas( eating, which is liighly repre- hensible ; besides, the injury thus occasioned to the individual cannot be easily repaired, MASTICH, a resinous substance exuding from the mastich-tree, or Pistacia Icntiscus, L. a native of the southern parts of Europe. Tiie best is imported from Chios, in the Le- vant, in small transparent grains, of a yellowish colour, and an agree- able smell, when heated over the iire. This resin is recommended in obstinate coughs ; dysenteries ; weakness of the stomach ; and in all cases of debility and laxity of the fibres. For such purposes, it is dissolved in re6tified- spirit of wine, and may be taken in doses of thirty or forty drops diluted with water, every three hours, or oftener. MASTICOT,oryELLowLi:AD, is the calx or ashes oi lead, obtain- ed by slow calcination, in conse- quence of which that metal ac- quires a lighter or deeper yellow colour, according to the degree of heat, — It is sometimes used by painters ; but is also employed me- dicinally, as a drying powder, in ih& MAT «omposltIon of ointments or plas-* ters. — See Lead. MASTIFF, Cams villnticus, i>. catenurius, L, a valuable species of the dog- kind. This bold animal is alike re- markable for his loud voice in bark- ing, his extraordinary size, and surprizing strength. So great in- deed is their courage and muscular power, that three of these quadru- peds are more than adequate to cope with a lion. The mastiff is particularly va- luable as a vigilant house-dog, and it is much to be regretted, that this species of useful creatures has, within a few years, rapidly declined in numbers. — For the most proper method of managing dogs, in gene- ral, the reader is referred to that article. MATCHING, a method of pre- paring vessels for the ]>reservation of wines, cyder, or similar liquors, from becoming sour. It is effected in the following manner : Let any quantity of sulphur be melted in an iron ladle ; and, as soon as it is li- quefied, slips of coarse linen clotli are to be dipped in it ; which, when taken out and cooled, are called matckes. One of these slips is now to be lighted, and suspended in the bung-hole of a cask, which ought to be slightly stopped, till the mutck is consumed ; when the hole may be closed, and the vessel be suffer- ed to stand for one or two Iiours. On opening the bung-hole, it will be found that the sulphiu* has com- municated to the %^4iole cask a very pungent, though sutTocating and acid, odoiu". The vessel may next be filled with small wine, newly fermented ; and, on carefully closing it, the liciuor will speedily clarify. This nxetliod is very comnionly praftised m