The bark of Euonymus atropurpureus.

Characters. - In quilled or curved pieces, about one-twelfth of an inch (2 millimetres) thick; outer surface ash-grey, with blackish patches, detached in thin and small scales; inner surface whitish or slightly tawny, smooth; fracture smooth, whitish, the inner layers tangentially striate; nearly inodorous; taste sweetish, somewhat bitter and acrid.

Preparation.

dose.

Extractum Euonymi.........................................................................

2-5 gr.

Composition. - It contains a bitter principle called euonymin, which is precipitated, together with a resin and a fixed oil, when the strong tincture is poured into water.

Action. - It acts as an hepatic stimulant (p. 403), hydra-gogue cathartic, and diuretic. In large doses it causes intestinal and haemorrhoidal irritation.

Use. - In constipation accompanied by biliousness, and in chronic malarial conditions.