264 PHARMACOPEIAL DRUGS 



over Northern Africa, most of Europe, the Caucasus, 

 and into Siberia. In some instances it becomes almost 

 a small tree, Fliickiger (240) having a specimen eight 

 inches in diameter. Before the Norman Conquest 

 buckthorn was known as a laxative, under the name 

 Waythorn or Hartshorn. The Welsh physicians of the 

 13th century (507) prescribed a preparation of the ber- 

 ries under the name Syrup of Buckthorn, a title that 

 still prevails. This syrup, aromatized, became official 

 in the London Pharmacopeia, 1650. 



Rhamnus Purshiana. The present official drug of the 

 Pharmacopeia, Rhamnus Purshiana, is not only related 

 botanically to the earlier variety, but it is therapeuti- 

 cally similar, being laxative hi small doses and cathartic 

 in large doses. The tree (R. Purshiana}, is distributed 

 over the mountain ranges of the western Pacific states, 

 being most abundant in California and Oregon. Pos- 

 sibly collectors do not always distinguish between this 

 species and Rhamnus californica. To the settlers of the 

 west it has long been known as "Chittim wood," and by 

 them an infusion of the bark is used as a cathartic. 



Dr. J. H. Bundy (Ilia), of Colusa, California, im- 

 pressed with its value, brought the bark, under the 

 name Cascara Sagrada, to the attention of Parke, Davis 

 & Co., of Detroit, Michigan. This firm introduced it 

 in 1877, through the columns of their publication, New 

 Preparations, (467), 1877 and 1878. 



The remedy became a great favorite, and within a 

 reasonable tune was in demand throughout the civilized 

 world, becoming official in the Pharmacopeia of the 

 United States in 1890. The remarkable record of 

 rhamnus has been a subject of many contributions to 

 botanical and therapeutic literature, and much of 



