ROSA GALLICA 221 



ACTION AND USES. Containing about the same principles as senega, it has been 

 recommended as a substitute for that drug as an expectorant in pulmonary 

 affections. Dose: 15 to 30 gr. (i to 2 Gm.). 



213. ROSA GALLICA. RED ROSE 



RED ROSE 

 The dried petals of Ro'sa gal'lica Linn6, collected before expanding. 



BOTANICAL CHARACTERISTICS. A dwarfish bush, with odd-pinnate leaves and 

 adnate stipules; leaflets elliptical, rugose. Flowers large, red; stamens many. 

 Carpels several, becoming bony akenes in fruit. Receptacle urn-shaped, 

 with styles rising from inner surface. 



HABITAT. Asia and Europe; cultivated. 



DESCRIPTION OF DRUGS. The buds are collected before expanding, the 

 petals being loosely imbricated in the form of cones, or separate and 

 crumpled. They are roundish-obovate, with a dark red, velvety 

 appearance, which they retain after drying, during which process the 

 fresh petals lose 90 per cent, of their weight; claws yellow; odor 

 fragrant; taste bitter and astringent. 

 Powder. Elements in: See Part iv, Chap. I, B. 



CONSTITUENTS. The astringency is due principally to quercitrin, with 

 which their color is also doubtless connected. They contain some 

 tannin, fat, and volatile oil. Boiling water extracts their virtues. 

 Not more than 3.5 per cent, of ash. 



ACTION AND USES. Mild tonic and astringent; chiefly employed as a 

 vehicle for tonic and astringent preparations. Dose: 15 to 60 gr. 

 (i to 4 Gm.). 



OFFICIAL PREPARATIONS. 



Fluidextractum Rosae, Dose: 15 to 60 itjj (i to 4 mils). 



Mel Rosae (12 per cent.). 



214. ROSA CENTIFOLIA. PALE ROSE. HUNDRED-LEAVED OR CABBAGE ROSE. 

 The petals of Ro'sa centifo'lia LinnS. Off. U.S.P. 1890. The full-blown 

 flower is picked off just below the calyx, and the petals separated. They are 

 a beautiful pink when fresh, dull brown when dry; thin and delicate, roundish- 

 obovate, sometimes obcordate, with a fragrant odor, and a bitter, faintly 

 astringent taste. They may be preserved fresh for a considerable time by 

 packing them in half their weight of common salt. These petals were formerly 

 used in making the compound syrup of sarsaparilla, but wisely have been 

 'dropped as one of the ingredients. Constituents: Malic and tartaric acids, 

 tannin, etc. Their odor depends upon a volatile oil existing in small quan- 

 tity, about 0.04 per cent. Seldom, if ever, used medicinally. In pharmacy 

 used principally for preparing rose-water. 



215. ROSA CANINA. HIPS. DOG ROSE. The fruit of Ro'sa cani'na Linne", 

 common in Europe. Ovoid, or pitcher-shaped, about 18 mm. (% in.) long, 

 with a smooth, shining, red surface. It consists of the ripened fleshy calyx, 

 surmounted by the five calyx teeth; its cavity is hairy inside, and contains 

 numerous hard, hairy akenes, but these akenes and hairs are removed before 

 the hips are used. Taste acidulous, slightly astringent, due to the malic and 

 citric acids and slight quantity of tannin contained; odorless. Refrigerant, 

 mild astringent, and diuretic. Confection of hips is a familiar preparation 

 abroad. 



