(Wahoo.)

Origin. - The dried bark of the root of Euonymus atropurpureus Jacquin, a shrub 6 to 10 or 14 feet (1.8-3 or 4.2 M.) high, found growing in shady woods of the northern and middle section of the United States, east of the Mississippi.

Description and Properties. - In quilled or curved pieces 1/12 to 1/5 inch (2-5 Mm.) thick; outer surface ash-gray, with blackish patches, detached in thin and small scales; inner surface whitish or slightly tawny, smooth; fracture smooth, whitish, the inner layers of a laminated appearance; nearly inodorous; taste sweetish, somewhat bitter and acrid.

The chief constituent of the drug is a glycoside, euonymin.

Dose. - 1-2 drams (4.0-8.0 Gm.) [7 1/2 grains (0.5 Gm.), U. S. P.].

Official Preparations

Extractum Euonymi - Extracti Euonymi - Extract of Euonymus. - Dose, 1-5 grains (0.06-0.3 Gm.) [2 grains (0.125 Gm.), U. S. P.].

Fluidextractum Euonymi - Fluidextracti Euonymi - Fluidextract of Euonymus (U. S. P.). - The solid extract of euonymus, which was already official, is now prepared from this fluidextract.

Dose. - Average dose: 8 minims (0.5 Cc), U. S. P.

Physiological Action and Therapeutics. - Euonymus resembles rhubarb in its action, but is milder, small doses being stimulant to the stomach. The drug is an active hepatic stimulant, increasing the secretion of bile and facilitating its excretion into the intestine. It is excreted by the kidneys and bronchopulmonary mucous membrane, being a mild diuretic and expectorant. Euony-mus is an excellent cathartic, particularly in cases of constipation attended with impaired functional activity of the liver.

Euonymin is an impure resin, and is not yet reliable. The official fluidextract of euonymus is a reliable preparation.