42 BUCKTHORN, ALDER BUGLE. 



they contain four deeply-grooved seeds, each enclosed 

 in a parchment-like endocarp. The juice, at first 

 greenish, becomes purplish brown on keeping. Taste, 

 bitter and acrid. 



BUCKTHORN, ALDER. Rhamnus Frangula, Linn. 



N.O. Rhanuiacea. 

 Part used Bark. 



Action Tonic, laxative, cathartic. The dried sea- 

 soned bark, from one to two years old, should only be 

 used, as the freshly-cut bark causes violent griping 

 pains, emesis, and nausea. It is chiefly used as a 

 remedy for chronic constipation, in small doses repeated 

 three to four times daily. The decoction of i ounce 

 of bark in a quart of water boiled down to a pint is 

 taken in tablespoonful doses. 



Preparation Fluid extract : Dose, -2 drachms. 



Distinctive character- Bark in thin quilled pieces, 

 greenish black externally, with numerous elongated 

 whitish transverse marks (lenticels). When abraded 

 with the nail or a knife a crimson layer appears beneath 

 the epidermis. Inner surface brownish yellow. Frac- 

 ture fibrous. Taste, sweetish, then bitter. Odour, 

 none. 



BUGLE. Ajuga reptans, Linn. 



N.O. Labiates. 

 Syn. Bugula, Common Bugle. 



Part used Herb. 



Action Bitter, astringent, aromatic. Has been 

 employed in haemorrhages, biliary disorders, and con- 

 sumption. 



Dose of Infusion (i ounce to i pint), a wineglassful 

 frequently. 



Distinctive character Stem smooth on two sides, 

 downy on the other two, leaves opposite, oblong-obovate 



