American Materia Medica, Therapeutics and Pharmacognosy

Generally white oak bark is used locally, in decoction, for the general
purpose of an astringent, but it is also tonic and antiseptic, and possesses
specific powers.
In severe epidemic dysentery, a strong decoction of white oak bark, given
internally, in doses of a wineglassful every hour or two, the bowels being
first evacuated by a cathartic of castor oil and turpentine, has effected
cures where other treatment had proved of little or no avail.
In marasmus, cholera infantum, scrofula, and diseases attended with
great exhaustion, baths medicated with white oak bark, accompanied by
brisk friction, have restored the waning powers of life.
When employed as a local application to ill-conditioned ulcers and
gangrene, either a poultice of the ground bark, or cloths wet with the
decoction may be applied.
In pulmonary and laryngeal phthisis a very fine powder of the bark may
be inhaled.
I have depended upon a decoction of white oak bark one ounce to the pint
of boiling water, to which I have added after straining, a dram of boric
acid for all ulcerations of the mouth or throat, both in the early stages and
in many chronic cases. It is surprising how many simple early throat
troubles this will abort, and bow frequently it will prevent suppuration in
tonsillitis. Combined with Yellow Dock, it has cured for me the severest
cases of nursing sore mouth that I have had, after other lauded remedies
had signally failed.
When the remedy is given internally in diarrhoea and dysentery, it
should be combined with cinnamon or other astringent aromatic.
CASCARA SAGRADA.
Synonyms—Rhamnus Purshiana, chittem bark, sacred bark, Bearberry,
bear-wood.
CONSTITUENTS—
There are present a crystalline, bitter principle and three distinct
resinoid bodies, not bitter, which are believed to be derived from
chrysophanic acid which is thought to be present in the bark.
Ellingwood’s American Materia Medica, Therapeutics and Pharmacognosy - Page 369