(Cranesbill.)

Origin. - The dried rhizome of Geranium maculatum L., a perennial herb with a stem 2 to 3 feet (30-60 Cm.) high, very common in Canada and the United States westward as far as Kansas.

Description and Properties. - Growth, horizontal, cylindrical, 2 to 3 inches (5-7 Cm.) long and about 1/2 inch (1 Cm.) thick; rather sharply tuberculated, longitudinally wrinkled, dark brown; bark thin; wood-wedges yellowish, small, forming a circle near the cambium line; medullary rays broad, central pith large; roots thin, fragile, inodorous; taste strongly astringent.

Dose. - 20-40 grains (1.2-2.40 Gm.) [15 grains (1 Gm.), U. S. P.].

Official Preparation

Fluidextractum Geranii - Fluidextracti Geranii - Fluidextract of Geranium. - Dose, 20-40 minims (1.2-2.4 Cc.) [15 minims (1 Cc), U. S. P.].

Physiological Action. - The action of geranium corresponds with that of tannic acid.

Therapeutics. - Externally and Locally. - Geranium is not used externally. Its local action is varied. It is serviceable as an astringent gargle in sore throat; as a mouth-wash in aphthous stomatitis; in relaxed conditions of the rectum, vagina, and throat; in buccal ulcer, metrorrhagia and anal fissure; in prolapsus ani and epistaxis. It has also proved valuable as an injection in leucorrhea, gonorrhea, and gleet. Owing to its mucilaginous taste, it is useful in infantile diarrhea and for persons having weak stomachs.

Administration. - Locally, the powdered root and fluidextracts are used, but the fluidextract diluted with water is preferable. For an injection a decoction, 1 ounce (32 Gm.) to 1-2 pints (512-1024 Gm.) of water, is used, and the decoction in milk is of service in infantile diarrhea.