proprietary preparations are concocted with extreme care and accuracy, and are often much more efficient than the official articles which have been standing in the shops for a long while, possibly exposed to the air.

Geranium-Gerānii-Geranium. U. S. P.

(CRANESBILL.)

Origin. The rhizome of Geranium maculatum L., a perennial herb with a stem 2 to 3 feet (30-60 Cm.) high, very common in Canada and the United States westward as far as Kansas.

Description and Properties.-Growth horizontal, cylindrical, 2 to 3 inches (5-7 Cm.) long and about inch (1 Cm.) thick; rather sharply tuberculated, longitudinally wrinkled, dark brown; bark thin; wood-wedges yellowish, small, forming a circle near the cambium line; medullary rays broad, central pith large; roots thin, fragile, inodorous; taste strongly astringent.

Dose.-20-40 grains (1.2-2.40 Gm.).

Official Preparation.

Extractum Gerānii Fluidum-Extracti Geranii Fluidi-Fluid Extract of Geranium.-Dose, 20-40 minims (1.2-2.40 Cc.).

Physiological Action.-The action of geranium corresponds with that of tannic acid.

Therapeutics.-Externally and Locally.-Geranium is not used externally. Its local action is varied. It is serviceable as an astringent gargle in sore throat; as a mouth-wash in aphthous stomatitis; in relaxed conditions of the rectum, vagina, and throat; in buccal ulcer, metrorrhagia, and anal fissure; in prolapsus ani and epistaxis. It has also proved valuable as an injection in leucorrhea, gonorrhea, and gleet.

Internally. Owing to its agreeable taste, it is useful in infantile diarrhea and for persons having weak stomachs. In the early stages of phthisis it is very beneficial, as it reduces the fever and pulse-rate, at the same time checking the night-sweats, cough, expectoration, and hemoptysis. Under it the patient's appetite improves and he gains in weight. The fluid extract, in combination with an aromatic, gives perceptible temporary relief in rapid acute phthisis attended with severe, distressing cough and debilitating night-sweats. It has also been used to advantage in internal hemorrhages.

Administration.-Locally, the powdered root and fluid extracts are used, but the fluid extract diluted with water is preferable. For an injection a decoction, I ounce (32.0 Gm.) to 1-2 pints (512.0-1024.0 Gm.) of water, is used, and the decoction in milk is of service in infantile diarrhea. Prof. Johnson claims that geranium contains mucilaginous material which, acting as a demulcent, makes the decoction a much more desirable preparation than a simple solution of tannin.

Rhus Glābra-Rhōis Glābræ-Rhus Glabra. U. S. P. (SUMACH.)

Origin.—The fruit of Rhus glabra L., a shrub or suffruticose plant about 12 feet (3.6 M.) high, growing in rocky or barren soil in North America.

Description and Properties.-Subglobular, about 1 inch (3 Mm.) in diameter, drupaceous, crimson, densely hairy, containing a roundish-oblong, smooth putamen; inodorous; taste acidulous. Dose. The preparations only are used internally.

Official Preparation.

Extractum Rhōis Glābræ Fluidum-Extracti Rhōis Glābræ Fluidi-Fluid Extract of Rhus Glabra.-Dose, -1 fluidrachm (1.0-4.0 Cc.).

Allied Species.

Rhus Aromatica-Rhois Aromăticæ-Sweet Sumach.

Unofficial Preparation.

Extractum Rhōis Aromaticæ Fluidum-Extrăcti Rhōis Aromăticæ Fluidi -Fluid Extract of Rhus Aromatica.-Dose, 5 minims-1 fluidrachm (0.3-4.0 Cc.).

Physiological Action.-The action of Rhus glabra resembles that of tannic acid.

Therapeutics.-Externally and Locally.-An INFUSION or the FLUID EXTRACT is used as a topical application for ulcers and inflamed wounds. The INFUSION is an excellent mouth-wash in spongy gums, ptyalism, pharyngitis, aphthous stomatitis, and tonsillitis. It can be used alone, but is much more efficient when combined with potassium chlorate and glycerin, adding a little menthol, 2-3 grains (.12-.20 Gm.), to make the mixture more agreeable. It is also of service as an injection in leucorrhea.

Internally.-Rhus glabra acts well in staying incontinence of urine and hematuria. A dose of 10-30 drops of the FLUID EXTRACT,

taken two or three times daily, has produced complete temporary suspension of nocturnal enuresis of children, as well as senile eneuresis.

Administration.-The fluid extract is used exclusively.

Rōsa Găllica-Rōsæ Găllica-Red Rose. U. S. P. Origin. The petals of Rosa gallica L., collected before expanding.

Description and Properties.-Usually occurring in small cones consisting of numerous imbricated, roundish, retuse, deep purplecolored, yellow-clawed petals, having a roseate odor and a bitterish, slightly acidulous, and distinctly astringent taste.

Official Preparations.

Confectio Rōsæ-Confectiōnis Rōsæ-Confection of Rose.-Used as an excipient in pill masses.

Extractum Rōsæ Fluidum-Extracti Rōsæ Fluidi-Fluid Extract of Rose. -Used chiefly as a vehicle.

Physiological Action.-It acts like tannic acid.

Therapeutics.—Externally and Locally.—The OINTMENT is used for chapped lips and hands, and also for superficial burns and in erythema.

The FLUID EXTRACT is used as an application to inflamed eyes, buccal, aural, and anal ulcers, and in aphthous stomatitis. It has been employed in conjunction with sodium salicylate to prevent the pitting of small-pox. Its chief use, however, is as a vehicle and flavoring extract.

Internally. It is practically of but little value as an internal agent, although it exerts some action in checking profuse sweats and in uterine hemorrhages.

Administration.-The fluid extract is mainly used, an infusion of which is given internally. The fresh leaves, crushed, are serviceable as a poultice.

Rūbus-Rūbi-Blackberry. U. S. P.

Origin. The root-bark of Rubus villosus Ait., Rubus Canadensis L., and Rubus trivialis Mx., common shrubby North American plants.

Description and Properties.-Thin, tough, flexible bands, outer surface blackish or blackish-gray, inner surface pale-brownish, some

times with strips of whitish, tasteless wood adhering; inodorous; taste strongly astringent, somewhat bitter.

Official Preparation.

Extractum Rūbi Fluidum-Extrăcti Rūbi Fluidi-Fluid Extract of Rubus. —Dose, 1–2 fluidrachms (2.0-8.0 Cc.).

Physiological Action.-Identical with that of tannic acid. Therapeutics.-Internally.-The fluid extract is used in the summer diarrhea of children—practically its only employment. An infusion of the leaves is claimed by Popoff to be an excellent remedy for debility of the bladder.

Administration.-The fluid extract and the infusion are used as medicinal agents. The syrupus rubi idæi is used only as a vehicle. Blackberry cordial and blackberry brandy are favorite modes of administration. It is commonly believed by the laity that the various blackberry and raspberry preserves are efficacious as remedies; on the contrary, they are highly irritating, because of the seeds present in them.

MINERAL ASTRINGENTS.

Plumbum-Plumbi-Lead.

The salts of lead only are used in medicine.

Plumbi Acētas-Plumbi Acetātis-Lead Acetate.

U.S. P.

(SUGAR OF LEAD.)

Origin. Metallic Lead is dissolved, in the presence of air, in Acetic Acid, or Lead Oxide is dissolved by the aid of a gentle heat in Acetic Acid and Water, the solution being filtered, evaporated, and crystallized.

Description and Properties.-Colorless, shining, transparent, monoclinic prisms or plates, or heavy, white, crystalline masses, or granular crystals, having a faintly acetous odor and a sweetish, astringent, and afterward metallic taste. On exposure to the air efflorescent and absorbing carbon dioxide. Soluble in 203 parts of water and in 21 parts of alcohol, in 0.5 part of boiling water, and in I part of boiling alcohol. Lead acetate should be kept in well-stoppered bottles.

Dose. 5 grains (0.03-0.3 Gm.).

Official Preparations.

Liquor Plumbi Subacetātis-Liquōris Plumbi Subacetātis-Solution of Lead Subacetate (GOULARD'S EXTRACT).-Used externally and locally. (The solution contains about 25 per cent. of Lead Subacetate.)

Liquor Plumbi Subacetātis Dilūtus-Liquōris Plumbi Subacetātis Dilūti -Diluted Solution of Lead Subacetate (LEAD WATER).-Used externally and locally. (It contains 3 per cent. of Lead Subacetate.)

Ceratum Plumbi Subacetātis-Cerāti Plumbi Subacetātis-Cerate of Lead Subacetate (Goulard's CeratE).—Used externally and locally. (Goulard's Extract, 20; Camphor Cerate, 80 parts.)

Unofficial Preparation.

Linimentum Plumbi Subacetātis-Linimenti Plumbi Subacetātis-Liniment of Lead Subacetate.-Used externally and locally. (40 parts of Lead Subacetate to 60 parts of Cotton Seed Oil.)

Plumbi Carbōnas-Plumbi Carbonātis-Lead Carbonate.

U. S. P.

(WHITE LEAD.)

Origin.—Obtained by passing Carbon-dioxide Gas through a solution of Lead Acetate, or by adding an Alkali Carbonate to a solution of a Neutral Lead Salt.

Description and Properties.-A heavy, white, opaque powder or a pulverulent mass, without odor or taste. Permanent in the air. Insoluble in water or alcohol, but soluble in acetic or diluted acetic acid, with effervescence. Lead carbonate should be kept in well-stoppered bottles. Used externally and locally.

Official Preparation.

Unguentum Plumbi Carbonātis—Unguĕnti Plumbi Carbonātis-Ointment of Lead Carbonate (10 per cent.).-Used externally and locally.

Plumbi lōdidum-Plumbi lōdidi-Lead Iodide.

U.S. P.

Origin. Obtained by mixing a solution of Lead Nitrate and Potassium Iodide, and drying the precipitate.

Description and Properties.-A heavy, bright-yellow powder without odor or taste. Permanent in the air. Soluble in about 2000 parts of water and in about 200 parts of boiling water, separating from the latter solution in brilliant golden-yellow spangles or crystalline laminæ. Very slightly soluble in alcohol, but soluble, without color, in solutions of the fixed alkalies, in concen