American Materia Medica, Therapeutics and Pharmacognosy

It tones the gastro-intestinal tract to a marked degree, if debilitated, and
if over-activity is prevent, the agent restrains that condition.
It mildly and satisfactorily evacuates the bowels without irritation or
stimulation. Some individuals eat a few grains of the crude root, which
they carry in the pocket, every day for chronic constipation, others are
not benefited with large doses.
Therapy—In atonic conditions of the bowels, with debility or general
relaxation, whether diarrhoea, dysentery, cholera morbus or cholera
infantum is present, it is a most useful remedy. Its tonic powers are
promptly exercised, and properly combined with indicated remedies, it
produces markedly restorative effects. It acts directly upon the
duodenum, and subsequently upon the entire intestinal tract. It is the
laxative for debilitated patients, or for patients recovering from prostrating
disease.
Given to a nursing mother, like aloes, it relaxes the infant's bowels, and
in some cases it is desirable to administer it to the mother for this
purpose.
SYRUPUS RHEI ET POTASSAE COMPOSITUS.
Synonyms—Syrup of Rhubarb and Potassa Compound. Neutralizing
Cordial.
This old Eclectic formula has attained such a wide notoriety—is in such
general use in our own school, and is now so popular among the regular
physicians and so generally adopted by them, that it deserves a
conspicuous place in this book. It has no superior as a restorative to
acute abnormal conditions of the stomach or bowels demanding an
antacid. Prof. King's original formula is as follows, which happily
combines the active virtues of its constituents. Suggestions and
alterations for its improvement have not in all its factors produced a
better compound.
Formula—
Best India Rhubarb, Golden Seal, Cinnamon, each one ounce;
Refined Sugar, four pounds;
Brandy, one gallon;
Oil of Peppermint, twenty minims.
Ellingwood’s American Materia Medica, Therapeutics and Pharmacognosy - Page 373