RHEUM PALMATUM. l!20 



administered by the mouth. They failed to recognise it in the 

 chyle (Pereira). 



On Man. — In small doses (as from four to eight grains) it 

 acts as an astringent tonic, its operation being principally or 

 wholly confined to the digestive organs. Li large doses (from 

 a scruple to a drachm) it operates slowly and mildly as a pur- 

 gative, sometimes causing slight griping. It never inflames the 

 mucous membrane of the alimentary canal, as jalap, scammony, 

 colocynth, and other drastic purgatives are capable of doing. 

 The constipation which follows its cathartic effect has been 

 ascribed to the operation of its astringent matter. In febrile 

 complaints and inflammatory diseases, it sometimes accelerates 

 the pulse, and raises the temperature of the body, whence the 

 impropriety of its use in these cases. The milk of nurses who 

 have taken it acquires a purgative property. 



Medical Uses (Homeopathic).— Hahnemann remarks that 

 this medicine is useful in disorders of the primse viae, especially 

 in children. Rhubarb has only been employed for derange- 

 ments of the intestinal canal in children and full-grown persons, 

 arising from improper alimentation, generally accompanied by 

 excessive acidity in the primae vise, cutting colic, disturbance 

 of the night's rest by starting, moaning, weeping, slight con- 

 vulsions, etc. Nightly complaints, particularly of children, 

 with moaning, peevishness, tossing about, crying, etc.; all 

 these symptoms being occasioned by a disordered condition of 

 the bowels. Nightly crying and tossing about of infants, pro- 

 bably owing to colic; diarrhoeas of children, with colic, etc. 

 (Noack and Trinks, in Amer. Trans, of Jahr's Manual). 



Antidotes.— Camphor. Coflea. Chamomilla. 



