hours, the compound produces a yellow-resinous matter, concreting at the top; and which resembles musk in its smell, while a strong acid liquor remains at the bottom. The resin is now to be repeatedly washed, both in cold and in hot water, till it be totally divested of its sour taste. Thus a substance is obtained, which is not only cheaper than the common musk, but is at the same time free from those impurities with which the latter is too frequently adulterated.
Artificial musk is, doubtless, a more powerful medicine than the natural, and has been successfully prescribed by Hufeland, in the epidemic chin-cough, as well as other nervous and spasmodic affections. Nor have its effects been less salutary in cases of diabetes (see Urine), and difficulty of breathing; having effected a cure when other medicines had failed of success.—As this substance is of a resinous consistence, it will be most conveniently given in emulsions: hence ten or twelve grains of it should be triturated in a mortar, together with a few blanched almonds, and diluted with five or six ounces of distilled water. Of this mixture, two tea-spoonfuls may be given every two hours, to a child between one and two years old; and in progressive doses, so that a youth from twelve to fourteen years of age, will require double, and an adult about three times the quantity above stated. Without the aid of any other medicine, it generally produces a sudorific effect; diminishes and alleviates the fits of coughing; and often produces eruptions resembling the true nettle-rash:—thus, a favourable crisis takes place, and the disease speedily disappears.
MUSLIN, a kind of fine cloth, loosely woven of the finest cotton yarn.
Formerly, all muslins were imported from India; but, at present, very considerable quantities are manufactured in Manchester, Glasgow, Paisley, &c. which, for fineness and durability, are little inferior to those of the East. It should, however, be remarked, that the British muslins acquire a yellowish cast, after they have been repeatedly washed, while the genuine India-muslins retain their original whiteness.
Plain muslins, Nankin cloths, and also flowered or stitched muslins, when imported, pay, on being deposited in the East India Company's warehouses, the sum of 7l. 10s. per cent. according to their value. They are likewise subject to a farther duty of 19l. 13s. 9d. per cent. on being taken out for home consumption.
MUSTARD, or Sinapis, L. a genus of plants, comprising nineteen species: three of which are natives of Britain: namely,
1. The arvensis. See Charlock.
2. The alba, or White Mustard, which grows in corn-fields, and on road-sides; it flowers in the month of August.—This species, when cultivated, thrives best in a soil that is naturally heavy, but which has been reduced to a fine mould, by tillage: it is propagated by sowing one bushel of the seed per acre, in the month of March; it should be frequently hoed; and, when the plants arrive at a proper size for transplantation, they may be set out, ten inches apart.—Mustard may be sown on the same land, for three successive years; and it always leaves the soil in suf-
