i550 VEGETABLE DRUGS 



Pulvis Rhei Compositus. Compound Powder of Rhubarb. 

 (U. S. &B. P.) 

 Synonym. — Gregory's powder. Rhubarb, 25 ; magnesia, 65 ; 

 ginger, 10. 



Dose. — Foals and Calves, § ss.-i. (15.-30.). 



Extractum Rhei. Extract of Rhubarb. (U. S. & B. P.) 

 Dose.— D., gr.v.-x. (.3-.6). 



There are many other official preparations, but they possess no 

 value in veterinary medicine. 



Action Internal — Alimentary Canal. — Rhubarb is a bitter, 

 and. therefore in small doses improves digestion in all 

 animals by increasing the flow of salivary and gastric juices, 

 and by stimulating the appetite, vascularity, and movements 

 of the stomach. It is called a stomachic and bitter tonic. 

 Larger doses cause mild purgation in the case of dogs and 

 cats, but horses and cattle are but slightly affected in this 

 way. Rhubarb augments the secretion of bile. It is com- 

 monly described as an agent which stimulates peristaltic 

 action, but it is not certainly known how purging is brought 

 about. Secondary constipation is more apt to follow the 

 use of rhubarb than other drugs, because of rheotannic acid. 

 This substance may be absorbed and eliminated into the 

 bowels after the occurrence of purgation. Rhubarb, by 

 virtue of chrysophanic acid, stains the faeces, urine, milk and 

 sweat yellow in its excretion. 



Uses. — Rhubarb is an efficient laxative remedy for the 

 treatment of indigestion in young animals associated with 

 diarrhoea. In this condition it sweeps out the source of irrita- 

 tion and then exerts an astringent effect. The drug often 

 acts most favorably with an antacid in the disorders noted. 

 Gregory's powder is useful in the care of foals, calves and 

 lambs with diarrhoea. The fluid extract may be given to 

 dogs, but rhubarb is not so generally useful a purgative for 

 these animals as castor oil, calomel, or cascara sagrada. 

 Rhubarb has been recommended when a laxative is desirable, 

 in cases of haemorrhoids, to improve local tone, and also as 

 a purgative in diarrhoea of young animals due to worms. 



