MEDICINE CHEST. A box containing an assortment1 of medicines.
2. The act of congress for the government and regulation of seamen2 in the merchant service, sect3. 8, 1 Story's L. U. S. 106, directs that every ship or vessel4, belonging to a citizen or citizens of the United States, of the burthen of one hundred and fifty tons or upwards5, navigated6 by ten or more persons in the whole, and bound on a voyage without the limits of the United States, shall be provided with a chest of medicines, put up by some apothecary7 of known reputation, and accompanied by directions for administering the same; and the said medicines shall be examined by the same or some other apothecary, once, at least, in every year, and supplied with fresh medicines in the place of such as shall have been used or spoiled; and in default of having such medicine chest so provided, and kept fit for use, the master or commander of such ship or vessel shall provide and pay for all such advice, medicine, or attendance of physicians, as any of the crew shall stand in need of in case of sickness, at every port or place where the ship or vessel may touch or trade at during the voyage, without any deduction8 from the wages of such sick seaman9 or mariner10.
3. And by the act to amend11 the above mentioned act, approved March 2, 1805, 2 Story's Laws U. S. 971, it is provided that all the provisions, regulations, and penalties, which are contained in the eighth section of the act, entitled "An act for the, government and regulation of seamen in the merchants' service," so far as relates to a chest of medicines to be provided for vessels12 of one hundred and fifty tons burthen and upwards, shall be extended to all merchant vessels of the burthen of seventy-five tons or upwards, navigated with six persons, or more, in the whole, and bound from the United States to any port or ports in the West Indies.
MEDIETAS LINGUAE. Half tongue. This expression was used to signify that a jury for the trial of a foreigner or alien for a crime, was to be composed one half of natives and the other of foreigners. The jury de medietate linguae is used in but a few if any of the United States. Dane's Ab. vol. 6, c. 182, a, 4, n. 1. Vide 2 Johns. R. 381; 1 Chit. Cr. Law, 525; Bac. Ab. Juries, E 8.
MELANCHOLIA, med. jur. A name given by the ancients to a species of par- tial intellectual mania13, now more generally known by the name of monomania. (q. v.) It bore this name because it was supposed to be always attended by dejection of mind and gloomy ideas. Vide Mania.,
MELIORATIONS, Scotch14 law. Improvements of an estate, other than mere15 repairs; betterments. (q. v.) 1 Bell's Com. 73.
MELIUS INQUIRENDUM VEL INQUIRENDO. English practice. A writ16 which in certain cases issues after an imperfect inquisition returned on a capias utlugatum in outlawry17. This melius inquirendum commands the sheriff to summon another inquest in order that the value, &c., of lands, &c., may be better or more cor- rectly ascertained18. Its use is rare.
MEMBER. This word has various significations: 1. The limits of the body use- ful in self-defence. Membrum est pars19 corporis habens destinatum operationem in corpore. Co. Litt. 126 a. See Limbs.
2. - 2. An individual who belongs to a firm, partnership20, company or corporation. Vide Corporation; Partnership.
3. - 3. One who belongs to a legislative21 body, or other branch of the government; as, a member of the house of representatives; a member of the court.
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