This section is from the "A Practical Treatise On Materia Medica And Therapeutics" book, by Roberts Bartholow. Also available from Amazon: A Practical Treatise On Materia Medica And Therapeutics
Leaves of Castanea vesca Linné (Nat. Ord. Cupuliferce), collected in September or October, while still green. (U. S. P.) Composition.—Tannic acid, etc.
The mineral acids, the salts of antimony, lead, and silver, and the persalts of iron, and alkalies, are chemically incompatible. The vegetable alkaloids and gelatin form insoluble precipitates.
Tonics and bitters, as a rule, favor the action of tannic and gallic acids, and of the substances containing them. The agents comprehended in this group—or remedies whose chief result is to increase waste—are synergistic.
 
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