Rubus.
The bark of the root of Rubus villosus, Aiton; Rubus canadensis, Linné; and Rubus trivialis, Michaux (Nat. Ord. Rosaceae). Wild and cultivated in the United States. Dose, 5 to 60 grains.
Common Names: (1) Blackberry; (2) Low Blackberry; (3) Low-bush-Blackberry.
Principal Constituents.—Tannin. Fruits contain citric and malic acids; the glucoside villosin (in Rubus villosus) a body similar to saponin, and about 20 per cent of tannin.
Preparations.—1. Specific Medicine Rubus. Dose, 5 to 60 drops.
2. Syrupus Rubi, Syrup of Black Raspberry. Dose, 1 to 2 fluidounces.
Specific Indication.—Gastro-intestinal atony, with copious watery and pale feces.
Action and Therapy.—The decoction of rubus is a mild and agreeable astringent in watery diarrheas, especially in children, when the stools are clay-colored or pale. There is marked enfeeblement of the stomach and bowels, and the child is fretful, has no appetite, and there is marked pallor of the skin. The syrup or a spiced cordial of the bark and another of the fruit have been used largely in domestic practice to control intractable diarrheas. They act best after a thorough purging with castor oil or similar cathartic has been resorted to. Rubus strigosus (Red Raspberry) has similar uses.
