60 MATERIA MEDIC A. 



Rhatany. — (Krameria, U. S.) 



Root of tlie Krameria triandra^ a small shrub growing in Peru 

 and Brazil. The root is branching, and, as found in the shops, is in 

 pieces of various sizes, from the thickness of a quill upwards; colour 

 externally, dark-reddish brown ; rather lighter within ; taste, bitter, 

 astringent, and sweetish ; active principle, tannic acid, which re- 

 sides most in the cortical portion j — imparts its virtues to water and 

 alcohol. 



Uses. — Same as those of kino ; a strong and good astringent. 

 The external application is very useful \n fissure of the anus, — the 

 saturated infusion, made by displacement, or the solution of the 

 extract being used ; likewise as an injection in leucorrhcea and 

 gonorrhoea. Dose of powder, 20 to 30 grs. ; of the infusion, (3j to 

 Oj water) f3j to f3ij ; of the tincture, f3j to f3ij ; of the extract, 

 10 to 15 grs. There is also a syrup. 



Logwood. — (H^matoxylon, U. S.) 



Wood of the Hceniatoxylon Cainpecliianum, a large tree grow- 

 ing in Mexico, and other parts of tropical America. It is imported 

 in the form of billets, several feet long; has a dark purplish colour 

 externally, and a bright red hue internally. It is much used as a 

 dyewood ; kept in the shops in the form of raspings ; odour, slight; 

 taste, sweetish and astringent ; contains a peculiar principle called 

 hematin, or hcBmatoxylin; also some tannin. 



Uses. — A mild astringent ; useful in the bowel affections of chil- 

 dren. Given in decoction and extract ; dose of former, f3ij ; of the 

 latter, 10 to 30 grs. 



The most important indigenous astringents are the Geranium^ 

 Blackberry root, Pi2:)sisseiva, and Uva Ursi. 



Cranesbill. — (Geranium, U. S.) 



Root of the Geranium ^naculatuin, a small perennial plant grow- 

 ing in moist, shady woods ; often called crmvfoot, from the shape of 

 the leaf. The root is horizontal, about a quarter of an inch thick, 

 and furnished with short fibres; colour externally, brownish; lighter 

 within; no odour; taste, astringent. Virtues depend on tannic acid, 

 and are extracted by water and alcohol. 



Uses. — An excellent astringent ; employed much in domestic 

 practice, particularly in cases of children, to whom it may be given 

 "boiled in milk. Dose of powder, 20 to 30 grs. ; of the decoction, 

 'f3j to f3ij. 



Blackberry root. — (Rubus villosus, U. S.) 



DeW^BERRY root. (RuBUS TRIVIALIS, U. S.) 



These two roots are identical in medical properties and uses. 



