ELEMENTS OF MATERIA MEDICA.

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children, rhubarb, in small doses, is often combined with mercurialratives (as the hydrargyrum cum creta), or with antacids (as mag 11 "or chalk), and frequently with apparent advantage. 0

3. As an external application. —Sir Everard Home ( Pract. Observ. onTreatment of Ulcers , p. 96,1801) used it as topical application to l ,r0I j l )[ ] Vthe healing of indolent, noil-painful ulcers. The powder is to be hg ^strewed over the ulcer and a compress applied. In irritable ulcerseighth part of opium is to be added. When applied to large u lc erS ^ (1 ,has produced pretty active purging (Amemann, Chirurg . Arzneim- jAutl. S. 224). The powder of rhubarb, incorporated with salivarubbed on the abdomen, proves purgative (Alibert, Nouv. EleM-Therap. t. ii. p. 275 et seq. 5 me ed.) . ^

Administration. —The powder of Russian or China rhubarb ma) .exhibited, as a stomachic and tonic, in doses of from five to ten g raas a purgative, from a scruple to a drachm. The dose of iudig elrhubarb should be about twice as much as the above. jj_]

1. Infusum Riiet, L. E. D.—(Rhubarb , sliced [in coarse powder? .5 iij. [gj. E. 5j. 74.]; Boiling [distilled, L.] Water, Oj. [Oss. 74. fsxviij-^j[Spirit of Cinnamon, f3ij. E.\ Macerate for two hours in a liglitly-c°'vessel, and strain [through linen or calico, E.] ). Boiling water estrfrom rhubarb, rhabarberic acid, resin, tannin, gallic acid, sugar, eX *' r f C |, a r-and starch. As the liquor cools it becomes turbid, owing to some rh»beric acid, resin, tannin, gallic acid, and tannate of Starch, being a

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of

sited (Brandes). Infusion of rhubarb is stomachic and gently purgative-usually employed as an adjunct to, or vehicle for, other mild purgatn ,ftonics. The alkalies or magnesia arc sometimes conjoined. The stracids and most metallic solutions are incompatible with it. Dose, f3j- ;

2. Tinctuka Rhei, E. — (Rhubarb , in moderately fine powder, 3Cardamom Seeds, bruised, 5ss.; Proof Spirit, Oj. and *xvj. ^ , qoWrhubarb and cardamom seeds, and proceed by the process of percoJ

as directed for tincture of cinchona. This tincture may also be l jrt T )t . r icby digestion). The alcoholic tincture of rhubarb contains rliabai ^acid, impure rhabarberic acid (resinous yellow colouring mat j t , g ).rhubarb), tannin, semi-resin, and uncrystallizable sugar (Bra a t0Cordial, stomachic, and mildly purgative. Dose, as a stomachic*f 5 iij.; as a purgative, fjss. to fgj. _ S q g s-

3. Tixctuiu Rhei composita, L. D.— (Rhubarb , sliced*

[Sij. D .]; Liquorice, bruised, 5vj. [3ss. 7).]; Saffron , 5iij. [3ij. D.]> IM 1 °{ 0 tsliced, 5iij. L.], Proof Spirit, Oij. [wine measure, D.] Macera ® ^fourteen [seven, 74.] days, and strain). Cordial, stimulant, ston'^j}.and mildly purgative. A popular remedy in various disordered c ,tions of the alimentary canal, especially at the commencement otrhoea, also in flatulent colic. It is a very useful adjunct to P lir ° - c ismixtures, in cases in which the use of a cordial and stomachic catharrequired. Dose, as a stomachic, f3j. to fSiij.; as a purgative, f 3ss.

4. Tinctuba Rhei et Aloes, E. —(Rhubarb , in moderate!)powder, -x.; Socotrine or East Indian Aloes, in moderately fine p 0 '

3 vj.; Cardamom Seeds, bruised, 3ss.; Proof Spirit, Oj. and f 5 xv j- , al iJthe powders, and proceed as for the tincture of Cinchona ). A cordiastomachic purgative, in doses of fromfgss. to f3j. . jjijC

5. Tinctuba Rhei et Gektianm, E.—(Rhubarb , in moderate!).^powder, jij.; Gentian , finely cut or in coarse powder, 5ss.; Proot 1