498  Properties  of  two  Rhamnus  Barks.        {"^""  oct'.l'isS*'""* 
with  the  rhamno-cathartin  found  in  the  juice  of  the  buckthorn 
berries  by  Binswanger,  in  1849.  Repeated  attempts  to  crystallize  this 
substance  were  not  successful.  On  being  administered  in  four  grain 
doses  it  had  a  decided  cathartic  action,  and  in  doses  of  three  grains- 
was  strongly  laxative. 
The  separation  of  this  substance  from  the  fluid  extract  induced  me 
to  investigate  the  subject  a  h'ttle  deeper  than  at  tirst  intended.  Accord- 
ingly a  small  quantity  of  the  resin  was  made  from  each  bark  by  a  pro- 
cess noticed  below,  and  the  yield  ascertained,  as  well  as  the  medicinal 
action.  In  the  meantime  the  fluid  extracts  were  placed  at  the  disposal 
of  several  of  my  medical  friends  who  rendered  me  valuable  aid  and 
reported  their  conclusions,  which  agree  so  closely  in  the  more  import- 
ant points,  that  it  would  be  superfluous  to  give  them  all  in  detail. 
The  following  report  from  Dr.  I.  D.  Wiltrout,  of  Hudson,  Wis.,, 
appears  to  cover  the  subject  quite  thoroughly : 
"The  samples  of  fluid  extract  of  Rhamnus  Catharticus  and  Rham- 
mus  Purshiana  given  me  for  trial  have  more  than  met  my  highest 
expectations.  I  used  these  preparations  in  cases  of  constipation  char- 
acterized by  atony,  or  paresis  of  the  muscular  coat  of  the  bowels, 
induced  by  a  catarrhal  condition  of  the  stomach  and  small  intestines. 
They  gave  free  evacuations  in  small  doses,  say  from  30  to  50  drops, 
with  no  pain,  and  materially  improved  the  appetite.  The  evident 
action  is  upon  the  nerve  terminals  and  in  this  way  reflectly  stimulating 
muscular  contractibility  and  glandular  secretions.  The  common  expe- 
rience was  that  a  diminished  dose  was  needed  to  assure  the  daily  pur- 
pose. I  also  used  the  remedies  on  women  in  whom  the  colon  was- 
allowed  to  distend  from  neglect  and  inattention;  in  all  instances  they 
were  efficient.  I  think  these  remedies  might  be  usefully  prescribed 
with  aloes  when  there  is  no  pelvic  or  uterine  difficulty,  and  thus  act 
on  the  whole  bowel.  I  have  prescribed  these  remedies  in  combination 
with  the  phosphate  of  sodium  in  chronic  constipation,  attributable  to  a 
bilious  condition.  It  wonderfully  accelerates  the  action  of  the  phos- 
phate and  arrests  a  sick  headache  promptly,  and  does  not  deplete  the 
system.  1  think  these  remedies  have  a  wide  province  and  if  the 
extracts  are  always  as  reliable  as  those  you  sent,  will  be  used  in  the 
cases  enumerated.  I  have  prescribed  these  remedies  in  a  large  number 
of  cases  and  my  conclusions  as  to  their  relative  strength  is,  that  a 
smaller  quantity  of  the  Rhamnus  Purshiana  is  required  both  as  a 
laxative  and  as  a  cathartic,  but  it  is  a  little  nauseating.*' 
