American Materia Medica, Therapeutics and Pharmacognosy

PREPARATIONS—
Confectio Sennae, Confection of Senna. Dose, one to two drams.
Extractum Sennae Fluidum, Fluid Extract of Senna. Dose, half to
one dram.
Infusum Sennae Compositum, Compound Infusion of Senna. Dose,
one to three ounces.
Pulvis Glycyrrhizae Compositus, Powder of Liquorice. Dose,
twenty to sixty grains.
Pulvis Jalapae Compositus, Compound Powder of Jalap. ( A. D.)
Beach's Antibilious Physic. Dose, one dram.
Specific Medicine Senna. Dose, from one to thirty minims.
Therapy—Senna is an efficient remedy, mild, kindly, certain and
uniform in its action. It is a constituent of the larger number of the
proprietary laxative or cathartic compounds, syrups, cordials or elixirs.
It is used in all cases of temporary constipation, however induced. An
infusion of the leaves is not unpalatable and is promptly active. It
produces normal evacuations of the bowels and if used carefully there is
but little griping. It is used after surgical operations, after confinement,
in the constipation of the feeble, and. in many cases of inactive bowels,
among infants and children. It is not used where a powerful derivative is
needed, or where active cholagogue or hydragogue influence is
demanded. It has a narrow but important sphere.
Co-operatives—In combination with ginger, capsicum or black pepper, it is
useful in atonic conditions with inactivity of the bowels. With
magnesium sulphate, or potassium bitartrate, it will induce more of a
hydragogue effect. In combination with leptandra it acts more specifically
upon the liver; with jalap, and ginger it was long known as antibilious
physic and was given whenever “biliousness” was diagnosed; with
rhubarb and peppermint it is a tonic, laxative and carminative of greatly
improved value. It is the active constituent of the well known and
popular, Compound liquorice powder.
The composition of this powder is, as follows:
Senna and liquorice in fine powder, of each two ounces;
fennel fruit, sublimed sulphur, of each one ounce;
refined sugar, six ounces.
Mix thoroughly. Dose, from one-fourth to one dram in water.
Ellingwood’s American Materia Medica, Therapeutics and Pharmacognosy - Page 101