Inefficiency of the Cathartic Powers of Rhubarbarine. 35 



April 1826, with some editorial remarks. Although I feel 

 bound to acknowledge that I was the first to introduce this 

 article into Philadelphia, and have sent a considerable por- 

 tion to physicians in different parts of the United States, 

 I must say however, in justice to myself, that my province 

 was confined, exclusively to the preparation of this principle 

 from the crude material. Its modus operandi was submit- 

 ted to the judgment of those, upon whom, from practice and 

 experience the consideration of it more properly devolved, 

 and from the result of whose observations the conclusions 

 should be made. 



My paper went to press early after I had prepared the rhu- 

 barbarine, and before I could collect sufficient facts to justify 

 any conclusions as to its effects in the hands of those who had 

 first employed it in this city ; my observations therefore, in 

 relation to its virtues, were founded upon the authority of 

 M. Nani, and although modified a little, and made less com- 

 mendable for its cathartic energy, its reputation was never- 

 theless greater than it merited, and further experiments 

 would warrant. 



The physicians who first employed this medicine, were so 

 disappointed as to its activity, that I was apprehensive I 

 might have failed in some part of the process of its manu- 

 facture. I accordingly prepared it with great care several 

 successive times, both according to the formula of Nani, and 

 that which I modified, but the results were the same. 

 In order to prove positively that there could be no de- 

 fect in its manufacture, I sent to Paris, and procured some, 

 manufactured by Pelletier (a chemist of the highest reputa- 

 tion,) which was found to be equally feeble, as that, which 

 I had prepared, if not less active. This proved the fact be- 

 yond a question, that the powers of the rhubarbarine had 

 been much overrated. The rhubarbarine, manufactured by 

 Pelletier, required a larger dose than the extract of rhubarb, 

 prepared according to my formula in the Philadelphia Jour- 

 nal of Medical and Physical Sciences. I have taken several 

 times, as much as twenty grains, without the least sensible 

 action. 



The rhubarbarine resembles more an extract, than any of 

 the vegetable principles. It is solid, dark brown, opaque, pos- 

 sessing the odor of rhubarb, and a taste slightly nauseous and 

 bitter ; it is deliquescent and very soluble in water, alcohol 

 and aether. I cannot consider this to be the active principle 



