ULM US CAMPESTR1S, Jledical Properties of. The bark of this species is officinal : it should be collected in spring from branches not too old : the outer bark is removed, and the interior, or liber, retained for use. When recent it is of a whitish-yellow colour, but when dried it is externally of a cinnamon hue, and curled up ; the inner surface smooth ; it is from a quarter to half a line in thickness, tough, fibrous, not cattily powdered, devoid of smell, with a mucilaginous, bitterish, astringent taste.
The cold watery infusion becomes green on the addition of a solution of sesquichloride of iron, and a precipitate is thrown down by a solution of gelatine. It possesses demulcent, tonic, and astringent pro perties; and taken in full doses it accelerates the pulse, acting ulti mately as a diaphoretic and diuretic. Though known from an early period as an astringent, it is little used at the present day, notwith standing the testimony of Lettamn nod others in favour of its utility in cutaneous diseaaes of a scaly kind. To do good it must be per severed in for many months, and the greater its action on the kidneys the greater the probability of ultimate benefit. Its agreeable taste
reconcile, many to the prolonged use of it, who would reject leas pleasant medicines. It is one of the beat substitutes for sarsaparilla. It is commonly administered in the form of decoction, but as the bark contains much starch, this is objectionable. An infusion made with cold water is far preferable. A pint or more of this is to be taken daily.
The Litmus fulra, tawny-budded or slippery elm bark of America, is a very valuable demulcent, tonic, and astriugent, and of great utility in the diarrhceas and dysenteries of the southern parts of the United States. As an emollient this bark is of great service as an external application to wounds, bruises, chilblains, and cutaneous eruptions; for these it is generally made into a poultice. The bark of this tree is probably that which is termed cortex unguentarius, which is in high repute with the aborigines for the cure of wounds.