UNGU

457

U.

Ulex Europ^jus. Furze, Whins. A native prickly shrub, the infusionor decoction of which is demulcent and diuretic. The seeds are stillmore so, and occasion nausea and diaphoresis.

Ulmi Cortex. L. E. P. Elm Bark. Ulmus campcslris. It is very-mucilaginous and also contains sugar, a little gallic acid, supertartrateof potass, and Ulmin or humin.Medicinally it is said to be alterative, tonic, and diuretic, and to beuseful for herpetic and leprous eruptions. If it ever do good in suchcases, it must be from its mucilage sheathing the acid or acrid sub-stances of the prima? vis, from which they arise. With this view itmay be useful.Enters into Decoct. Ulmi. L. D.

Ulmic Acid. See Ilujmic Acid.

Ulmin. A principle discovered by Klaproth, as exuding from theUlmus nigra ? It is better termed Humin, being the part of thesoil which constitutes the main food of plants.

Ultramarine. An expeditious and probably a cheap method of pre-paring this beautiful pigment, has lately been discovered on the con-tinent, but it is still kept secret.Adulterated frequently; but its genuineness may be ascertained bybringing it to a red heat in a crucible, when, if it is not genuine, itwill become pale or blackish. When tried with oil, it assumes abrown tint.

Umber, and Burnt Umber, are earthy pigments used in painting.

Unguenta. Ointments. Are external applications of a softer con-sistence than cerates, though in other respects resembling them. Thecomplication of the old pharmacy has now been in a great measurelaid aside, and ointments are now usually formed of lard, preparedsuet, or spermaceti, to keep the parts soft, and some one or two activeingredients.From their want of consistency they do not keep well, being apt tobecome rancid, and they should on that account be made in smallquantities. The addition of a little finely-powdered refined sugar isuseful for preventing this.Veterinary Ointments are introduced under the term Ointment, above.

Unguentum Acidi Nitrosi. E. D. Ointment of Nitrous Acid.Take Ibj of lard, 5vj of nitrous acid; melt the lard, and rub the acidinto it by degrees, till the mixture is cold.Medicinally it is stimulant, and is a good application to foul atoniculcers, and to herpetic eruptions.