The dried roots of Rheum, of which there are several species.

Habitat.—China and Thibet.

Properties.—When powdered it is of a bright orange-yellow, odor characteristic; taste bitter, astringent; gritty when chewed.

Dose.—As a stomachic—Horses and cattle, 1 to 2 ozs.; sheep, 1 dr.; dogs and cats, 5 to 10 gr.

As a mild purgative—Foals and calves, 1 to 2 dr.; dogs and cats, ¹/₂ to 2 dr.; poultry, 5 to 10 gr., in pill.

PREPARATIONS

FLUIDEXTRACTUM RHEI—FLUIDEXTRACT OF RHUBARB

Made by maceration and percolation with alcohol and water, and evaporated.

Dose.—Same as that of rhubarb.

PULVIS RHEI COMPOSITUS—COMPOUND POWDER OF RHUBARB—GREGORY’S POWDER

Composed of rhubarb, 25 parts; magnesia, 65 parts; ginger, to make 100.

Dose.—Foals and calves, ¹/₂ to 1 oz.; dogs, ¹/₂ to 3 dr.

TINCTURE RHEI AROMATICA—AROMATIC TINCTURE OF RHUBARB

Composed of rhubarb, cloves, cinnamon and nutmeg.

Dose.—Calves, 2 dr. to 1 oz.; foals, 2 to 6 dr.; sheep, 4 dr. to 1 oz.; lambs, ¹/₂ to 2 dr.; dogs, ¹/₂ to 3 dr.

Action and Uses.—Rhubarb is a stomachic, tonic, astringent, mildly cathartic and cholagogue. Rhubarb is useful where there is a lack of tone to the bowels; used in diarrhoea in small doses, for its stimulating tonic action; as a laxative in large doses or may be combined with other laxatives, to prevent griping in milk-fed animals, or may be combined with bismuth, opium or sulphuric acid, to stop diarrhoea; as a laxative or purgative. The fluidextract or powdered root may be combined with calomel, jalap, etc.