264 



UNITED STATES. 



The following additional facts upon this tree whicli 

 were communicated by Dr. Joseph Strong of Phila- 

 delphia, have already been inserted by the author in 

 ^he Domestic Encyciopsedia (Art. Elm), but may be 

 with great propriety introduced in this place, on ac- 

 count of the important information they furnish. 



Dr. Strong states, that during the time he served 

 as surgeon in the army on our western frontiers, he 

 experienced the most happy effects from the appli- 

 cation of poultices of the red elm bark to gun-shot 

 wounds, which were soon brought to a good suppura- 

 tion, and to a disposition to heal. It was applied as 

 the first remedy. When a tendency to mortification 

 appeared, the bark bruised and boiled in water, pro- 

 duced the most surprising good effects. After re- 

 peated comparative experiments with the other 

 common emollient applications, as poultices of milk 

 and bread, and linseed, its superiority was firmly es- 

 tablished. He particularly stated to me the cases of 

 the wounded in the action, in which the late general 

 Wayne defeated the Indians, in August, 1794, as 

 proving, in the most evident manner,- the beneficial 

 effects of this poultice. In old, ill-conditioned ulcers, 

 and in fresh burns, equal benefit was derived from it. 

 In diarrhoeas and dysenteries, an infusion of the bark 

 Avas used with advantage as a diet drink. A soldier 

 who lost his v/ay in the woods, supported himself for 

 ten days, upon the mucilage of the elm, and on sassa- 

 fras twigs. From the above facts, the red elm tree 

 may be considered as a highly valuable addition to our 

 stock of medicines, exclusiv'ely American, and ought 

 to be carefully searched for by all medical gentlemen 



