N. O. POLYGONACE&. 1081 



Uses : — The roots of the several species of Rheum, described 

 above, inhabiting the elevated portions of Himalaya, constitute 

 the principal portion of the Indian or Himalayan Rhubarb. 

 There are two principal varieties, 1. The large (from R. Emodi ?) ; 

 occurs in twisted or cylindrical pieces of various sizes and shapes, 

 furrowed; cut obliquely at the extremities, about four inches long 

 and an inch and a half in diameter; of a dark brown colour, feeble 

 rhubarb odour, and bitter astringent taste ; texture radiated, 

 rather spongy, not presenting on fracture the marbled texture 

 characteristic of ordinary rhubarb ; pulverized with difficulty ; 

 powder of a dull brownish yellow colour. 2. The small (from 

 R. Webbianum) ; consists of short transverse segments of the 

 root branches ; of a dark-brownish colour, odourless, or nearly 

 so, with a very bitter astringent taste. Both kinds are liable to 

 'considerable variation in physical characters. The trials 

 made with Himalayan rhubarb by Prof. Royle (Calcutta Med. 

 Phys. Trans., vol. iii. p. 439), and Mr. Twining (Diseases of 

 Bengal, vol. i. p. 220), were productive of satisfactory results ; 

 the latter authority, indeed, regarded it as superior to imported 

 rhubarb as a stomachic tonic. Subsequent experience has 

 not confirmed this view. The general tenor of all the reports 

 received from India in which this drug is noticed is to the 

 effect that the indigenous rhubarb procured in the bazaars is 

 generally worthless, and unfitted to replace the imported article. 

 Dr. Hugh Cleghorn (Madras Quart. Med. Journ., 1862, vol. v., 

 p. 464), who furnishes some interesting remarks on Himalayan 

 Rhubarb, states that it is only an inferior variety that reaches 

 the plains of Hindustan. He tested the action of the fresh 

 root, and found it resemble that of Russian Rhubarb. Culti- 

 vated with due care, there is reason to believe that a good 

 serviceable drug, equal to Chinese or Turkish Rhubarb, might 

 be obtained from the Himalayan plants. (Ph. Ind.) 



In the Second Rept. of Tndig. Drugs Coram, (p. 71) Captn. 

 W. M. Anderson, I.M.S., who used the powder, gives his opinion, 

 as to the value of the drug, as follows : — 



" Not satisfactory as a purgative ; requires to be given in 5 — 

 10 gr. doses ; is very liable to gripe and is irregular in its action. 



In some cases the bowels were only opened after repeated doses." 

 136 



