AND rHARMACOPOLIA. 507 



not so stimulatino: as oats. Green malt has been recommended 

 for improving the condition of horses, and givmg them a smooth, 

 glossy coat. Infusion of malt is sometimes given with advan- 

 tage to sick horses ; but they generally require to be drenched 

 with it, which is a great inconvenience. 



MANGANESE. A metallic oxide, used principally in 

 bleaching. It has been employed for fumigating glandered 

 stables. See Fumigation. 



MARJOBAM. — Origanum. Sweet marjoram is an annual 

 plant, Avhich is principally cultivated for culinaiy purposes. 

 Wild marjoram yields an essential oil {oleum origani), which 

 is much used by farriers as a remedy in strains, bruises, &c., 

 but always mixed with other oils or spirits, such as oil of elder, 

 camphorated spirit, &c. A strong infusion of marjoram may be 

 employed as a vehicle for carminative or cordial medicine. 



MARSH MALLOW.— ^M«a. This plant contains rather 

 more mucilage than common mallows, and is, therefore, better 

 calculated for making mucilaginous or emollient drinks, clysters, 

 or fomentations. 



The root is the best part, and, if carefully dried, may be kept 

 a lono- time. These mucilaginous drinks are very useful when 

 the bowels or bladder are inflamed or irritated by too strong 

 physic, or when there is any pain in the urinary passages. They 

 should be given frequently in the course of the day, and may 

 occasionally be made the vehicle of more active medicines. 

 Any thing which contains mucilage in sufficient quantity may 

 be employed for the purpose of making emollient drinks. See 

 Emollients. 



MASHES. A kind of medicated diet, and generally com- 

 posed either of bran or malt. Bran mashes are made by pouring 

 boiling water on fresh sweet bran, in a pail, so that the mixture, 

 Avhen stirred, may be about the consistence of a soft poultice : it 

 is then to be covered over, and not given to the horse until suf- 

 ficiently cold. When it is thought necessary to steam the head, 

 as it is termed, that is, for the horse to inhale the vapour as it 

 arises, the mash Is put into the manger while hot ; and some 

 even put it into a nose-bag, and secure it to the head, which is 

 a bad practice, as it impedes respiration. Steaming the head is 

 recommended in strangles, colds, and sore-throats. 



Bran Mashes form a very pi'oper diet in fever, and all in- 

 flammatory complaints ; they are useful, also, as a preparative to 

 physic, serving to remove any indurated fjeces there may be in 

 the bowels, whereby the operation of the medicine is rendered 

 more safe and effectual.* Mashes are a necessary diet, also, 

 while the physic is operating. In making malt mashes, the 



* Bran is in itself ci mild laxative, from the silicious particles wbicli it 

 contains acting mechanically on the intestines. 



