ELEMENTS OF MATERIA MEDICA.
740
1. Tannic acid.— Davy (Phil. Trans. 1803, p. 233) states, that 480 grs. of elm b®
yielded 13 grs. of tannin. _ .]y
2. Ulrnic acid: Ulmin. —On many trees, especially the elm, there is not unfrequf ^observed an exudation, which is supposed to be a morbid production. hen driconsists of a mucilaginous matter, and carbonate or acetate of potash. By the c _biued agency of the air and the carbonate, the organic matter is altered in its P r '!l.| 1 ; sties, and is converted into a brown substance, which combines with the potash-brown matter has been termed ulmin, or ulmic acid. It may be formed artificial'", ^a variety of processes, as by heating a mixture of wood ami potash, by the action ^sulphuric acid on vegetable matters, and by other methods. This acid is composeC’30 II15 Ol5.
Chemical Characteristics. —Infusion of elm bark becomes p e a{tannate of iron ) on the addition of a sesquisalt of iron, and forw sprecipitate ( tannate of gelatin) with a solution of gelatin. * a
Physiological Effects. —The effects of elm bark are those 0 ^mild astringent tonic, containing a considerable quantity of mucu a » o fwhich gives it a demulcent property. Hence, in the classification .Richter ( Arzneimitt . Bd. 1.) it is arranged as a mucilaginous astrinf ^The decoction, taken in full doses, accelerates the pulse, and ad*a diaphoretic and diuretic.
Uses. —Lysons {Med. Trans, vol. ii. p. 203) recommended th e ^coction of this bark in cutaneous eruptions ; and Dr. Lettsom V ,i ,,jMemoirs, p. 152) found it successful in ichthyosis. It has now i alalmost into disuse.
Administration.— Used only in the form of decoction. . ..^d
Decoctum Ulmi, L. I).—(Fresh Elm Bark, bruised, 3ijss-; j^nWater, Oij. Boil down to a pint, and strain). Formerly given lU ^diseases, now fallen into disuse. Dose, f|iv. to f3vi. three or foula day.
Other Medicinal Ulmacere.
Dr. M'Dowall, of Virginia, has proposed the bark of Ulmus fulva for bnug'eVjycatheters, 5cc. (Brit, and For. Med. Rev. July 1838, art. Elm Bark, Surgery, P -
tent*'
UrticEjB, Jussieu.
ol’l ® 1
in-
essential Character.— Flowers small, greenish, monoecious or dioecious,
amentaceous, or surrounded by a monoph vllous invoiucrura. Calyx niono^F ca lV*jthree to five-lobed, persistent. Stamens definite, inserted into the base of tnOvary simple, free ; styles two or one, bifurcate. Fruit anachenium, s “by the persistent calyx, solitary, or inserted into the dilated fleshy recepta cpendulous, with or without albumen. Embryo straight, curved, or spif"- ygenerally superior. Herbs or trees usually with hispid and spathuUFlowers capitate or racemose (Bot. Gall.)
Properties.— Variable.
Hu'mulus Lu'pulus, Linn. L. E. D .—The Common Hop-
Sex. Syst. Dicecia, Pentandria.
(Strobili exsiccati, L. Catkin, E. Strobili siccati, D.)