The rhizome and roots of hydrastis canadensis Linne, yielding not less than 2.5 per cent of hydrastine.

Habitat.—North America in woods west to Missouri and Arkansas.

Properties.—Externally brownish-gray to yellow-brown; fracture short, wood wedges bright yellow, pith large, light yellow, the roots thin, brittle, with a thick yellow bark and a somewhat quadrangular wood; odor distinct; taste bitter.

Constituents.—Berberine, an alkaloid occurring in yellow crystals; hydrastine, a colorless crystalline alkaloid, soluble in alcohol and ether; canadine occurring in white, acicular crystals.

Dose.—Horses and cattle, 2 dr. to 1 oz.; sheep and pigs, 1 to 2 dr.; dogs, 5 gr. to 1 dr.

PREPARATIONS

FLUIDEXTRACTUM HYDRASTIS—FLUIDEXTRACT OF HYDRASTIS

Made by maceration and percolation with alcohol, glycerin and water and evaporation.

Dose.—Horses and cattle, 3 drs. to 1 oz.; sheep and pigs, 1 to 2 drs.; dogs, 5 gr. to 1 dr.

TINCTURA HYDRASTIS—TINCTURE OF HYDRASTIS

Made by maceration and percolation of hydrastis, with diluted alcohol.

Dose.—Horses and cattle, 1 to 2 oz.; sheep and pigs, 2 to 4 drs.; dogs, ¹/₂ to 2 drs.

GLYCERITUM HYDRASTIS—GLYCERITE OF HYDRASTIS

Made by maceration and percolation of hydrastis, 1000 parts add water to the percolate and evaporate. Add water to the residue, set aside 24 hours and filter; add enough water to the filtrate to make 500 parts; then add glycerin 500.

Dose.—Horses and cattle, 2 drs. to 1 oz.; sheep and pigs, 1 to 2 drs.; dogs, 5 m. to 1 dr.

HYDRASTINNAE HYDROCHLORIDUM—HYDRASTINE HYDROCHLORIDE

The hydrochloride of an artificial alkaloid derived from hydrastine.

Properties.—Light, yellow, amorphous granules, or a pale yellow crystalline powder; odorless and having a bitter, saline taste; deliquescent on exposure to damp air. Very soluble in cold and hot water and in alcohol.

Dose.—Horses and cattle, 2 to 6 grs.; sheep and pigs, ¹/₂ to 1¹/₂ grs.; dogs, ¹/₁₂ to ¹/₄ gr.

Action and Uses.—It acts like the simple bitters, promotes appetite and aids digestion, increases nutrition and stimulates secretion, especially of the intestines and liver. It is a stomach tonic, laxative, slightly diuretic and hepatic stimulant. It is also said to promote uterine constructions, and has some power as an antispasmodic. Externally it is an antiseptic and astringent. Useful in conjunctivitis, nasal gleet and leucorrhoea; one to two drachms of the fluid extract or glycerite to the ounce of distilled water. One to two drachms of the fluidextract of hydrastis to one ounce of water is useful as a gargle for sore throat. Equal parts of fluidextract of ergot and fluidextract of hydrastis is useful in ulceration of the uterus, vagina and in eversion of the rectum. Useful internally during convalescence after debilitating diseases, as in influenza and distemper, or whenever a bitter tonic is indicated, as in dyspepsia, chronic gastric catarrh, catarrhal jaundice, constipation from chronic nephritis and chronic cystitis. The glycerite applied locally for fissure of teats, cracked heels. Where there is a tendency to constipation it should be used as a bitter in preference to gentian, etc.