408 VEGETABLE DRUGS 



Fluidextractum Cascarw Sagradw Aromaticum. (U. S. P.) 

 Dose. — ITLv-xxx, (.3-2). 



Extractum, Cascarw Sagradw Liquidum. (B. P.) 

 Dose.— D., ni,v-xxx, (.3-2). 



Extractum Cascarw Sagradw. (U. S. & B. P.) 

 Dose. — D., gr.ii-viii, (.12-.5). 



Syrwpws Cascarw Sagradw Aromaticus. (B. P.) 

 Dose.—B., 3ss-li, (2-8). 



Fhangula. Frangula. (U. S. P.) 

 Synonym. — Rhamni frangulae cortex, B. P.; buckthorn, alder buckthorn, black 

 alder, E.; gcorce de bourdaine (bourgfine), Fr. ; faulbaumrinde, G. ; cortex fran- 

 gulK, P. G. 



The dried bark of Rhamnus Frangula Linng (Fam. Rhamnese). 

 Habitat. — Europe and northern Asia. 



Description. — In quills varying in length, frequently flattened or crushed; 

 from 0.5 to 1 mm. in thickness; outer surface grayish-brown or purplish-black; 

 odor distinctive; taste slightly bitter. 



Constituents. — 1, a glucoside, frangulin (CjoHjoO,,,), converted in time into 

 (2) emodin (CuHioOs), a glucoside, to which the drug owes its purgative action. 

 Frangulin also yields emodin, a constituent of rhubarb as well, and rhamnose 

 (CoHijOo), by hydrolysis. 

 Dose.—D., 3ss-i, (2-4). 



PREPARATIONS. 



Fluidextractum Frangulw. Fluid Extract of Frangula. (U. S. P.) 

 Made by maceration and percolation with alcohol and water, and evaporation, 

 so that 1 mil of the preparation^l Gm. of the crude drug. 

 Dose.—D., 3ss-i, (2-4). 



Actions and Uses. — The buckthorns are laxatives in the doses em- 

 ployed in medicine. The fresh bark of R. frangula produces violent gas- 

 troenteritis (frangulin), and the same effect is produced by the bark of 

 cascara sagrada, so that both should be kept a year before using. 



Frangula is rarely employed, but cascara sagrada is one of the best 

 purgatives for chronic constipation in dogs, acting in 10 or 12 hours. 

 The dose does not require to be increased on repetition. On the contrary, 

 the tone of the bowels is improved by the drug. It has a very bitter 

 taste and is apt to cause griping so that cascara is commonly given with 

 aromatics. Fluidextractum Cascarae Sagradse Aromaticum (U. S. P.), 

 Syrupus Cascarae Sagradae Aromaticus (B. P.), are the best preparations. 

 The aromatic syrup of cascara sagrada may be prescribed to advantage 

 with an ounce or two of castor oil, as an occasional purgative for dogs. 

 Pills of extract of cascara sagrada are kept in stock by druggists, one of 

 the most convenient forms for dogs. A syrup of purging buckthorn 

 (Rhamnus catharticus) D., §i-ii; Cats, gss-i, is also occasionally given 

 dogs and cats with castor oil. 



Phenolphthaleinum. Phenolphthalein. CjjHhOj. (U. S. P.) 

 Is made from phenol, phthalic anhydride and sulphuric acid by the action of 

 heat. It occurs in white, or faintly yellowish-white crystalline powder. It is 

 tasteless and odorless, and soluble in 600 parts of water, "in 18 parts of alcohol, 

 and in solutions of hydroxides and carbonates. Its solutions in acids are colorless 

 but with alkalies turn red. It is used in chemistry as an indicator of acidity or 

 alkalinity. It does not apparently have any other physiological effect than that 

 of a peristaltic stimulant and is especially indicated in habitual constipation, 

 producing watery movements. It does not cause griping, produces no bad effect 

 on the system even when used over long periods of time, and is non-toxic in 



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