C 434 3 



Exp. XVI. A tinfture was then drawn from fixty grains of 

 the feeds in two ounces of proof fpirits. On filtering the tinfture, 

 it was found that the fpirit had extrafted only ten grains from 

 the feeds; for the refiduum left in the filter, when dried, weighed 

 forty grains. 



Exp. XVII. This tinfture poflefTed the tafte, and other pro- 

 perties of rhubarb, and its aromatic quality was more predomi- 

 nant than in any of the tinftures drawn from the root. The af- 

 tringent property, however, was manifeftly lefs ; for on adding 

 the ufual quantity of a folution of martial vitriol, and writing with 

 it, the ink appeared rather weaker, even than that of the refiduum 

 prepared from the root. 



Exp. XVIII. Twenty grains of the powder of the feeds were 

 given to another perfon of middle age, which operated brifkly 

 three times; the urine in this, as well as the former cafes, was 

 very flightly coloured. At the interval of two days, this expe- 

 riment was repeated with the fame effeft. 



Exp. XIX. The fame perfon, at the like interval, took twenty 

 grains of the refiduum of the above-mentioned tinfture, which 

 operated alfo three times ; but more gently than the powder. 



Exp. XX. This experiment was likewife repeated within 

 three days, and with fmiilar effedl on another perfon. 



REMARKS. 

 From thefe experiments it appears, 



I/?. That twelve grains of the feeds operate on feme 

 perfons nearly as much as twenty on others, though of the 

 fame age. On fome, they ail gently; on others, more 

 rougWy : fuch is the diiFerence of conftitution. Hence the 

 necefliry of repeating the experiments on feveral fubjecls, 

 before the effedls of this or any other drug can be fatisfac- 

 torily afcertained, In general, it would feem to appear 



that 



