SMARTWEED. 26l 



oatmeal. The food or gruel should be made as follows : 

 Take a teaspoonful of the powder, mix well with the 

 same quantity of powdered sugar and add a pint of boiling 

 water slowly, mixing as it is poured on. This may be 

 flavoured with cinnamon or nutmeg to suit the taste, 

 and makes a very wholesome and sustaining food for 

 infants. The coarse powder forms the finest poultice 

 to be obtained for all inflamed surfaces, ulcers, wounds, 

 burns, boils, skin diseases, purulent ophthalmia, chil- 

 blains, &c. It soothes the parts, disperses the in- 

 flammation, draws out impurities, and heals speedily. 

 We cannot speak too highly of this remedy, and are 

 confident there is nothing to equal it in the world for its 

 above-mentioned uses. Inflammation in the bowels of 

 infants and adults has been cured, when all other 

 remedies have failed, by an injection into the bowels 

 of an infusion of i ounce of powdered bark to a pint of 

 boiling water, used while warm. 



Preparation Mucilage U.S. P. ; made by digesting 

 6 grammes (93 grains) of bruised Slippery Elm in 100 c. c. 

 (3 fl. ounces 183 minims) of water. Should be placed 

 in a closed vessel and heated on a waterbath for one 

 hour and then strained. 



Distinctive character The bark occurs in flat 

 pieces, about 2 inches wide and 2 feet or more long, 

 usually folded, about fa inch thick. It has a pinkish or 

 faintly rusty tint, a tough, fibrous texture, and mealy 

 fracture, and is slightly striated longitudinally. Taste, 

 very mucilaginous. Resembling lovage or foenugreek 

 in odour. 



SMARTWEED. Polygonum Hydroplper, Linn. 



N.O. Polygonacca. 



Syn. Water Pepper, Arsesmart, Biting Persicaria. 

 Parts used Herb, leaves. 



Action Stimulant, diuretic, emmenagogue. Used 

 principally for obstructions of the menses, amenorrhoea, 



