Rheum

Rhubarb

Rhubarb. The root of Rheum officinale Baillon (Nat. Ord. Polygonaceae). Rhubarbe, Fr.; Rhabarber, Ger.

Extractum Rhei

Extract of rhubarb. Dose, gr. x—gr. xv. Extractum Rhei Fluidum.—Fluid extract of rhubarb. Dose, 3 ss

— 3ij.

Pilulae Rhei

Rhubarb-pills. Each pill contains three grains of rhubarb and one grain of soap.

Pilulae Rhei Composites

Compound pills of rhubarb. (Rhubarb, purified aloes, myrrh.) Dose, 2—4 pills.

Syrupus Rhei

Sirup of rhubarb. (Fluid extract, oz iij; simple sirup, 3 xxix.) Dose, 3 ss— 3 ij.

Tinctura Rhei Aromatica

Aromatic tincture of rhubarb. (Rhubarb, cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg.) Dose, 3 ss— 3 ij.

Tinctura Rhei

Tincture of rhubarb. Dose, 3 j— oz ss.

Tinctura Rhei Dulcis

Sweet tincture of rhubarb. Dose, oz ss— oz ij.

Vinum Rhei

Wine of rhubarb. (Rhubarb, calamus, stronger white wine.) Dose, 3 j—oz ss.

Pulvis Rhei Compositus

Compound powder of rhubarb. Dose, a tea-spoonful.

Composition

Rhubarb contains a number of substances which have been isolated, but its composition has not yet been accurately determined. It contains two acids, rheo-tannic and rheumic, a resinous body, phaeoretin, and chrysophan, or chrysophanic acid.

Physiological Actions

In small doses, rhubarb is a tonic astringent. It promotes the appetite and the digestive power, and, by virtue of its tannin, is astringent and diminishes peristalsis. As it contains also a purgative principle, in sufficient doses cathartic effects follow its administration. The stools are stained by the coloring-matters of the rhubarb, are of a yellowish-brown color, and are rather soft without being watery. After the purgative action has ended, the astringent constituents assert their power and constipation results. As the stools present an appearance to which the term "bilious" was applied, it was formerly supposed that rhubarb had the power to increase the flow of bile; more recently it has been universally conceded that the coloring-matter of rhubarb produces the peculiar tint referred to. The latest investigations of Rutherford and Vignal have, apparently, very conclusively shown that rhubarb really possesses the property anciently ascribed to it, and that it must be placed among the cholagogue medicines. As it is now known to increase the flow of bile, it may be assumed that the intestinal secretions in general are promoted by it. These effects, which indeed are produced by all the purgatives containing a resin, are probably due to phaeoretin—the rhubarb resin.

The coloring-matters of rhubarb stain the perspiration, milk, and urine, and the milk acquires a bitter taste and purgative properties.

Therapy

The infusion of rhubarb is frequently employed as a vehicle for the administration of alkalies and mineral acids in stomachic disorders. In small doses, the tincture is an excellent stomachic tonic in dyspepsia with deficient biliary and intestinal secretions. It is adapted to those of a relaxed habit, and is inadmissible when a hyperaemia of the mucous membrane exists.

Rhubarb is a remedy of the greatest utility in the duodenal catarrh, and in the catarrh of the biliary ducts with jaundice, as these maladies occur in children. The passing of whitish, pasty, or clay-colored stools, while the skin presents an earthy or jaundiced hue, is the indication for the use of rhubarb. It is true that the stools will be quickly stained, so as to present the bilious character, without any improvement having necessarily taken place in the local malady; but it is also true that rhubarb is curative in the conditions above described. In the summer diarrhoea of children, no remedy is more generally prescribed. The aromatic sirup of rhubarb is a pleasant form in which to administer it. In this disorder, especially if the motions are sour, alkalies should be prescribed with the rhubarb. Magnesia, chalk, or sodium carbonate, may be given with the powder of rhubarb, the fluid extract, or the sirup. The following is an excellent formula in these cases: Rx Infus. rhei, oz iij]; potassii bicarb., 3 j; tinct. cinnamomi, 3 ij; syrp. simplicis, 3 vj. M. Sig.: A tea-spoonful every hour or two in cholera infantum. Diarrhoea in children or adults, due to the presence of undigested food, or retained irritating secretions, may not infrequently be cured by a purgative dose of some rhubarb preparation. After the purgative effect is expended, the bowels are confined by the astringent. In acute dysentery the saline purgatives are much more appropriate than rhubarb.

In habitual constipation good effects may be obtained by chewing some rhubarb-root. The astringent after-effect is, however, a decided objection to the frequent use of this remedy for this purpose. In the rhubarb-pill the astringency is counteracted by soap. The compound rhubarb-pill, which contains aloes, is a mild and efficient cathartic.