^4 MATERIA MEDICA. 



I 



it also has a tendency to the pelvic viscera generally ; chiefly given 

 in constipation, combined with soap, rhubarb, or colocynth. Dose, < 

 as a laxative, 2 to 6 grs. ; as a purgative, 10 to 15 grs. The ofH- j 

 cinal preparations are the following : Pillulce aloes et, assafmtidce, I 

 very useful in the constipation of old people ; Pillidce aloes et myr- 

 rhce, or Rufus' Pills; Pill. Rhei compositce; Piilvis aloes etcanelke, 

 ox hiera picra; Tinctura aloes; Tine. Aloes et iiiyrrlicB, or elixir 

 proprietatis ; Vinum aloes. 



Senna, (U. S.) 



Leaflets of different species of Cassia, as the C. acutifolia, C. oho- 

 vata, C. elongata, C. ^thiopica, small shrubs growing in tropical 

 Asia and Africa. Several commercial varieties: 1. India senna, 

 the product of the C. elongata, grown in Arabia and Africa, and 

 thence taken to India ; leaflets long and narrow, intermingled with 

 pieces of pods. 2. Tinnivelly senna ; probably from the same source 

 as the preceding, but much longer and more distinct ; very free from 

 impurities, and highly esteemed. 3. Alexandria senna, product of 

 the A. obovata and A. acutifalia, derived from Upper Egypt ; it con- 

 tains also the leaves of the Argol. 4. Tripoli senna, from the A, 

 JEthiopica, — seldom now found in market. 



Fig. 20. 



"^^^ 



The true senna leaves may be recognised by their oblique lower 

 edges, and the inequality of their insertion into the footstalk ; odour 

 faint, but peculiar ; taste, sweetish and nauseous ; active principle 

 catkariin. Senna is an active hydragogue cathartic ; generally ad 

 ministered in combination with manna, or the neutral salts, hifu 

 sion made in the proportion of 3j to Oj. Its griping tendency ob 

 viated by combining with aromatics, or the neutral salts. The fol 



