The dried root of (1) Peruvian Rhatany, Krameria triandra, or of (2) Savanilla Rhatany, Krameria Ixina (Krameria tomentosa).

Characters. - Peruvian rhatany is about an inch thick, knotty above, un-branched or branched below; the branches are long, often broken or torn, reddish-brown and rough externally, reddish-yellow internally, with a readily separated bark.

The root of Krameria tomentosa (Savanilla Rhatany) is less knotty and more slender, and has dark purplish-brown, firmly adherent bark.

The bark of both kinds is strongly astringent, and when chewed tinges the saliva red, but has no marked odour.

Composition. - The bark contains about 20 per cent. of a kind of tannin called ratanhia-tannic acid, a red matter, ratanhia-red, and a neutral substance, ratanhin.

Preparations

B.P.

Dose.

Extractum Krameriae...................................................

5-20 gr.

Infusum ,, (1 oz. to 1 pint).......................

1-2 fl. oz.

Pulvis Catechu Compositus............................................

20-40 gr.

Tinctura Krameriae......................................................

1/2-2 fl. dr.

U.S.P.

Extractum Krameriae......................................................

5-20 grs. (0.3-1.3 gm.)

,, ,, Fluidum.........................................

5 min.-l fl. dr. (0.3-3.75 c.c.)

Syrupus ,, .....................................................

1 fl. oz. (30 c.c.)

Tinctura ,, ....................................................

1/2-2 fl. dr. (1.9-7.5 c.c.)

Trochisci „ ..................................................... ............................

ad lib.

Action. - It is strongly astringent.

Uses. - The powder is used as a dentifrice when the gums are spongy and bleed easily. The infusion or tincture is employed in bleeding from the nose, mercurial affections of the mouth, relaxed sore-throat, leucorrhoea, prolapsus ani. Internally it is given in diarrhoea, and haemorrhage from the kidneys or genito-urinary passages.