423 , VEGETABLE DRUGS 



QuERcus. White Oak. (U. S. P. 1905.) 



The dried bark of Quercus alba Linn6 (Fam. Cwpulif eras) , collected from 

 trunks or branches ten to twenty-five years of age, and deprived of the periderm. 



Synonym. — Quercus cortex, B. P.; cortex quercus, P. G.; 6corce de ch6ne, 

 Fr.; eichenrinde, G. 



Habitat. — North America, in woods. 



Description. — In nearly flat pieces, 2 to 10 mm. thick; externally light brown, 

 becoming darker with age, rougli-flbrous ; fracture uneven, coarsely fibrous; odor 

 distinct; taste strongly astringent; not tingelng the saliva yellow when chewed. 



Constituents. — 1, quercitannic acid, 6 to 11 per cent.; 2, a bitter principle, 

 quercin; 3, resin; 4, a sugar, quercite. 



Dose.—H., gss-i, (16-30); C, §i-ii, (30-60); Sh. & Sw., 3i-ii, (4-8); 

 D., gr.x-xxx, (.6-2). 



Preparation. — Fluidextractum Quercus. — H., gss, (16); D., Tn,15, (1). 



Action and Uses. — White oak bark is identical in action with tannic 

 acid, but the latter is preferable for internal use. Oak bark is a cheap 

 substitute for tannic acid applied externally in poultices, infusions, and 

 decoctions, as an astringent. It is administered internally in infusion, or 

 decoction (1-8), in diarrhea and dysentery. The infusion may be given 

 in gruel and combined with ginger, opium and alcohol in the treatment of 

 "scouring" in foals and calves. 



Catechu. Catechu. (B. P., P. G.) 



Synonym. — Catechu nigrum, cutch, E.; cachou de p6gu, Fr. ; katechu, pegu- 

 catechu, G. 



Gambie. Gambir. (U. S. P.) 

 [To replace Catechu, Pharm. 1890.] 



Synonym. — Catechu, B. P., P. G.; pale catechu, catechu pallidum, terra japo- 

 nica, E.; gambir cubique, Fr. ; gambir, G. 



A dried extract prepared from decoctions of the leaves and twigs of Ourou- 

 paria Gambir (Hunter) Baillon (Fam. Bubiacew). 



Description. — Usually in cubical or rectangular pieces from 20 to 30 mm. in 

 diameter; externally pale grayish-brown to reddish-brown, more or less dull and 

 porous ; friable ; internally of a light brown or dull earthy color ; inodorous ; taste 

 bitterish and very astringent. 



Constituents. — 1, catechutannic acid (40 per cent.) is the active principle; it 

 is converted into the isomeric inactive catechuic acid, or catechin (C21H20O9-I- 

 6 HzO), by the saliva and by boiling, a red color being developed. There is also 

 (2) pyrocatechin or catechol. 



Incompatibles. — Metallic salts, alkalies, and gelatin. 



Dose.— H., §ss-i, (15-30); C, gi-ii, (30-60); Sh. & Sw., 3i-ii, (4-8); 

 D., gr.v-xxx, (.3-2). 



PREPARATIONS. 



Tinctura Catechu. (B. P.) 

 Dose.—H. & C, 5i-ii, (30-60); Foals, Calves and Sheep, gss-i, (15-30); D., 

 3ss-ii, (2-8). ^ ^ ' 



Pulvis Catechu Compositus. Kino, Rhatany and Catechu. (B. P.) 

 Dose. — Same as catechu. 



Tinctura Gambir Composita. Compound Tincture of Gambir. (U. S. P.) 

 Gambir (a species of catechu), 50; saigon cinnamon, 26; alcohol to make 1000. 

 Now replaces the compound tincture of catechu and possesses the same 

 action and is given in the same doses as the tincture. 



Administration. — The compound tincture, or an infusion (made by 

 pouring boiling water over catechu, digesting for an hour, and straining), 

 and the powder, are employed internally. The powder is given in flour 



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