V. O. I'Or.YGONAOE^. 
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. Roth kinds are liable to 
considerable variation in physical characters. The trials 
made with Himalayan rhubarb by Prof. Royle (Calcutta Med. 
Rhys. 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 frqm 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 Oleghorn ( Madras Quart. Med. Journ., 1862, vol. v., 
p. 464), who furnishes some interesting remarks on Himalayan 
phubarb, 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 Rep t. of Tndig. Drugs Comm. (p. 71) Cap tn. 
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.” 
186 
