The dried bark of Rhamnus Frangula, collected from the young trunk and moderate-sized branches and kept at least one year before being used. Holland.

Characters. - In quills about - 1/25 of an inch thick; greyish or blackish -brown outside with whitish corky warts; brownish-yellow internally. Nearly inodorous, taste sweetish and bitter.

Composition. - The most important constituent is a cathartic substance, frangulin.

Preparations

B.P.

Extractum Rhamni Frangulae ....................................................

15-60 gr.

„ ,, ,, Liquidum.............................................

1-4 fl. dr.

U.S.P.

Dose.

Extractum Frangulae Fluidum........................................................

1 fl. dr. (4 c.c.)

Action and Uses. - When fresh it acts as an irritant poison on the gastro-intestinal canal, but when dried its action becomes less violent, and more like that of rhubarb. It is used as a purgative in constipation, and may be given in the form of the fluid extract or of a decoction (1/2 oz. to 1/2 pint) in tablespoonful doses, or as an elixir, 1 fl. dr. of the fluid extract to 3 of elixir of orange.