DOMESTIC CULTIVATED PLUM-TREE. 249 
solar heat; but in cold climates, artificial heat is employed: the fruit beine 
exposed to the heat of an oven, and to that of the sun. on alternate davs. Table 
prunes are prepared from the larger kinds of plums, as the green Gas"e. and Ste. 
Catherine; those employed in medicine from the Ste. Julienne. The former 
have a very sweet and agreeable taste ; and the latter are somewhat austere. 
Fresh, ripe plums, taken in moderate quantities, are regarded as nutritive and 
wholesome ; but in large quantities, they readily disorder the bowels : and when 
immature, they still more easily excite ill effects. The medicinal prunes are 
employed as an agreeable, mild laxative for children, and are given during 
convalescence from febrile and inflammatory disorders in adults. 
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