„.._.... n . ........ ______

PHARMACOPCEIAL VEGETABLE DRUGS.

used principally for cleansing purposes. Dr. Ruschenberger returnedfrom Chili in 1829 with specimens of the bark, stating that as lateas 1833 the extract had not been used in Valparaiso, although in 1835Dr. J. Stiles, of Valparaiso, is authority for the Statement that at that(1835) date the extract had been made in that city, and was beingused experimentally. The natives of South America employ an in-fusion of the drug as a wash, which led Dr. Ruschenberger to say,"From what I have seen of the effects of this cold infusion, I shouldbe disposed to give it a fair trial as an injection in leucorrhea, withthe expectation of very favorable results." The nature of quillaia, sonearly resembling the qualities of senega, led to the expectation thatit would parallel that drug in its remedial qualities in the directionof coughs and pulmonary affections. It has not, however, become afavorite other than as a producer of suds and as a frother for syrups,in which direction the extract has been employed in the making ofthe populär American beverage, the so-called soda-water, which usethe Government has now wisely prohibited.

RESINA, See TEREBINTHINA

RHAMNUS. (RHAMNUS PURSHIANA, U. S. P.)

Rhamnus catharticus (Buckthom) is of wide distribution, pre-vailing over Northern Africa, most of Europe, the Caucasus, and intoSiberia. In some instances it becomes almost a small tree, Fluckigerhaving a specimen 8 inches in diameter. It was known as a laxativebefore the Norman Conquest, being called Waythorn or Hartshorn.The Welsh physicians of the I3th Century (507) prescribed the berries,under the name Syrup of Buckthorn, a title which, recognized by allwriters on domestic or official medicine, still prevails. In the LondonPharmacopeia, 1650, this syrup, aromatized, became official.

The official drug of the Pharmacopeia (Rhamnus purshiana) isnot only related botanically to the above, but is therapeuticallysimilar, being laxative in small doses and cathartic in large doses.The tree (Rhamnus purshiana) is distributed over the mountain rangesof the Western Pacific States, being most abundant in California andOregon. Possibly collectors do not distinguish between this speciesand Rhamnus californica. To the settlers of that region it has longbeen known as Chittim wood, an infusion of the bark being used as acathartic.

Dr. J. H. Bundy, an Eclectic physician of Colusa, California, im-pressed with its value, brought the bark, under the name Cascara Sa-grada, to the attention of Parke, Davis & Co., of Detroit, Michigan.This energetic firm introduced it in 1877, through the columns of theirpublication, New Preparations, (1877 and 1878).

The remedy became a great favorite, and within a reasonableperiod was in demand throughout the civilized world, becoming of-ficial in the Pharmacopeia of the United States, 1890.

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