UTERINE SEDATIVES 819 



*RUTA 



Synonym. Eue 



This is the leaves of Ruta graveolens, a perennial, indigenous to 

 southern Europe but cultivated in this country. 



Action and Uses of the Above. All depend upon a volatile oil 

 for action and produce the usual symptoms following the administra- 

 tion of irritant volatile oils. They have been recommended as ecbolics 

 and emmenagogues, but are dangerous to use since the irritation they 

 set up on the gastrointestinal tract may be fatal without producing 

 abortion. The oil of rue is the basis of the ear treatment of fistulous 

 V7ithers by the laity. 



UTERINE SEDATIVES 



A uterine sedative is an agent to lessen the uterine flow, quiet 

 the organ and lessen the danger of abortion. But one drug, Vir- 

 bumum prunifolium, has been recommended and used for this pur- 

 pose. The action is directly opposed to the ecbolics. 



VIBURNUM PRUNIFOLIUM 



Synonym. Black Haw 



The bark of Viburnum prunifolium, a tall flowering shrub com- 

 mon in the middle and southern United States. 

 Preparations and Doses. 



Fluidextractum Viburni Prunifolii. Mare and cow g j — iv ; 



30—60. Bitch TTlxx— 3ij ; 1.5—8. 

 Extractum Viburni Prunifolii. One-fourth the dose of the 



fluidextract. 



Action and Uses. Viburnum contains a bitter, resin, alkaloid, 

 valerianic acid, and tannin, together with other less important in- 

 gredients. It is particularly recommended to quiet_ the uterus in 

 threatened abortion, but there is no experimental evidence to show 

 that it has any action in these cases. Since it contains a considerable 

 ' amount of tannic acid, it may serve as an astringent in diarrhea, and 

 as an astringent wash in pharyngitis, etc. Large doses cause pro- 

 gressive muscular weakness, ending in complete central nervous and 

 cardia paralysis. 



* VIBURNUM OPULUS 



Synonym. Cramp-bark 



This is the bark of a high shrub (high cranberry). It contains 

 considerable tannin and is used as an astringent. It has been recom- 

 * Unofficial. 



