204 MATERIA MEDIC A AND THERAPEUTICS. 



cent, of rhatania-tannic acid, C^H^C^-p a red amorphous sub- 

 stance, the watery solutions of which first colour chloride of 

 iron green and then precipitate it, but are not precipitated by 

 tartar emetic. 



Incompatibles. Alkalies, lime-water, salts of iron and lead, 

 gelatine. 



Preparations. 



1. Extractum Kramerise. Aqueous. Dose, 5 to 20 gr. 



2. Infusum Krameriae. 1 in 20. Dose, 1 to 2 fl.oz. 



3. Fulvis Catechu Compositus. 1 in 5. 



4. Tinctura Kramerise. 1 in 8. Dose, 1 to 2 fl.dr. 



ACTION AND USES. 



The preparations of rhatany possess the properties of tannic 

 acid, and may be employed for the same purposes (see Acidum 

 Tunnicum, page 337), except that they are obviously of no use 

 in poisoning by antimony. The drug is not extensively 

 ordered. 



SAPINDACEJE. 



Guarana. (Not Officinal.) The seeds of Paul- 

 linia sorbilis, reduced to powder after roasting, and 

 made into a stiff paste with water. From Brazil. 



Characters. Cylindrical rolls of dried paste. Brazilian 

 cocoa. 



Composition. Guarana contains no less than five per cent, 

 of cajfein, C 8 Hi N 4 2 , the alkaloid of the coffee and tea 

 plants ; united, as in these, with tannic acid, starch, and gum. 



Dose. 15 to 60 gr. in powder, or as infusion. 



ACTION AND USES. 



The action of guarana closely resembles that of strong tea 

 or coffee. It is chiefly used in sick headache (megrim). See 

 Caffein (page 271). 



ERYTHROXYLACE^E. 



Coca. (Not Officinal.) The leaves of Erythroxy- 

 lon Coca. From South America. 



Characters. Leaves two inches long, petiolate, oval, 

 entire, pointed at the blunt apex, with a slight odour of tea, 

 and a bitter aromatic taste. 



