Cascarilla. - The bark of Crolon Eluteria Bennett (nat. ord. Euphorbiaceae).

Habitat

Bahama Islands.

Characters

In quills or curved pieces about 2 mm. thick, having a grayish, somewhat fissured, easily detached, corky layer, more or less coated with a white lichen, the uncoated surface being dull brown, and the inner surface smooth. It breaks with a short fracture, having a resinous and radially striate appearance. When burned, it emits a strong, aromatic, somewhat musk-like odor; its taste is warm and very bitter. Resembling Cascarilla. - Pale Cinchona, which is less white, smooth and small.

Composition

The chief constituents are - (1) Cascarillin, a bitter, neutral crystalline substance. (2) Volatile oil, 1.5 per cent. (3) Resin. (4) Tannic acid.

Incompatibles. - Mineral acids, lime water and metallic salts.

Dose, 10 to 30 gr.; .60 to 2.00 gm.

Action And Therapeutics Of Cascarilla

Cascarilla, because of its bitter principle cascarillin, like other vegetable bitters, improves the digestion, and this stomachic and carminative action is aided by the volatile oil in it. It is pleasant to take, and is suitable for the same cases as calumba. The infusion 1 to 20 will not keep good for more than a day unless the tincture 1 to 15 is added to it. Mineral acids precipitate the resin from the tincture; therefore the infusion should be prescribed with them.