BOTANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 93 
places. The plant attains a height of from 1 to 
2 feet (30 to 60 centimeters), with an erect stem; 
the flowers are large and usually of a purple 
color, with five petals, calyx five-sepalled, and 
1o stamens (Decandria), and monodelphos, with 
one seed; leaves deeply cut into five divisions 
and covered with a delicate pubescence, with 
long petioles. Flowersfrom Aprilto July. The 
rhizome is best gathered in the fall months. 
The root, as found in commerce, is horizontal 
and somewhat cylindrical in shape, from 2 to 3 
inches (5 to 7 centimeters) long, and about % 
inch (12 millimeters) thick, and when thorough- 
ly dry tuberculated and very much wrinkled. 
Externally of a dark-brown color, internally of 
a pale-brown; when broken the fracture is short, 
and presents to view anumber of circular zones 
and a prominent pith. The rhizome of the Ge- 
ranium Maculatum has little or no odor, but a 
bitter and persistent astringent taste; it con- 
tains about 16 per cent. of tannin, also sugar, 
pectin, starch, and a coloring matter. The rhi- 
zome of the geranium has some tonic properties, 
but its main virtues lie in its powerful astringent 
properties, and it is highly recommended in di- 
arrhoea and dysentery. The dose of the pow- 
der (rarely given) is from 15 to 30 grains (1 to 
2 grams); of the fluid extract (the only officinal 
preparation) 15 to 30 drops (1 to 2 grams), re- 
peated several hours apart. The decoction is 
made by adding to one pint and a-half of boil- 
ing water one ounce of the coarsely powdered 
root and boiling down to one pint, the dose of 
which is a wineglassful. 
Geum, Rivale, Water Avens, Purple Avens. 
