MATRIX PLATES. For stereotype printing, see RISERS. MATTER. The series of the discourse of the compositor's copy. M. It now also means pages of types composed for any work; thus we have Set Matter, and Matter for Distribution, which see. Matter for Distribution. Types that, having been composed for a work and printed off, are ready for use in another work, are, collectively, I called Matter for Distribution. MEASURE. The width of a page. See COMPOSING STICK.-M. See also JUSTIFY A STICK. MEDHURST'S PRESS. A few years ago, a new press was constructed by Mr. Medhurst, of London, the great recommendation of which was its simplicity, and consequent cheapness. In its general form it much resembled the iron presses in common use, the principal difference being in the manner in which the pressure was produced. This was accomplished by means of an ingenious arrangement of levers, differing so much from every thing previously employed in machinery, that the inventor described his contrivance as one which exhibited a new power in mechanics. The principle upon which this press acts will be understood from the annexed sketch of the parts by means of which the impression is given. H E I B Instead of a screw, a plain spindle is employed on the lower part of this spindle there is a swell or collar, A, into which the handle, or working bar of the press, B, is fastened. The upper part of this collar has cups or steps for the reception of two short iron props or pins, C, D, which extend up to the head of the press, and are there supported by the points of two screws, E, F, entering sockets cut out in the heads of the pins, which are made of steel. When the platen is up, these pins stand in an inclined position, as represented in the annexed figure: but when the lever handle is pulled towards the spectator, so as to turn the spindle, the two screws remain stationary, while the props come into a vertical position, thus forcing the spindle and attached platen to descend, as if a screw were employed. It may be observed that, in the figure, G is merely a section of the head of the press, which is supposed to be looked at sidewise, to present the back and front projections, H, I, through which the screws pass. Lardner's Cabinet Cyclopædia, 1833. MEDICAL CONTRACTIONS used in prescriptions, &c., with the words at length, and a translation. From Gray's Supplement to the Pharmacopoeia. 5th edit. 8vo. London, 1831. Mor. sol.-More solito, in the usual man ner. Ne tr. s. num. —-Ne tradas sine nummo, you should not deliver it without the money as a caution to the shopman, when the presence of the customer prevents the master giving a verbal direction. N. M. Nux moschata, a nutmeg. 0. Octarius, a wine pint, being 1-8th of a gallon. Ol. lini s. i. Oleum lini sine igne, cold drawn linseed oil. Omn, hor. Omni hora, every hour. Omn. bid. — Omni biduo, every two days. Omn. bih. Omni bihorio, every two hours. Omn, man. ing. Omni mane, every morn Omn. noct.- - Omni nocte, every night. Omn. quadr. hor.- Omni quadrante horæ, every quarter of an hour. 0.0.0.-Oleum olive optimum, best olive oil. Oz. - The ounce Avoirdupois, or common weight, as distinguished from that prescribed by physicians in their orders. P.- Pondere, by weight. P. U. S. Pharmacopoeia of the United Part. vic. Partitis vicibus, to be given in divided doses, instead of all at once. Per. op. emet.. Peracta operatione emetici, when the operation of the emetic is finished. Temp. dext. right temple. Tempori dextro, to the T. O.-Tinctura opii, tincture of opium; generally confounded with laudanum, which is properly the wine of opium. T. O. C. Tinctura opii camphorata, paregoric elixir. Trit. Tritus, ground to powder. Ult. præscr. last ordered. Ultimo præscriptus, the V. O. S.-- Vitello ovi solutus, dissolved in the yelk of an egg. Vom. urg. Vomitione urgente, when the vomiting begins. Z. A mark in writing that a word is contracted, as in oz. for ounce. Zz.-Zingiber, ginger. |