Definition. - The dried bark of Daphne mezereum L., and of other European species of Daphne.

Description and Properties. - Long, thin bands, usually folded or rolled into disks, the outer surface yellowish or brownish yellow, with transverse scars and minute blackish dots, underneath of a light-greenish color; inner surface whitish, silky. Bast in transverse layers, very tough; inodorous; taste very acrid. The important constituent is an acrid resin, mezerein; an acrid oil resembling crotonoleic acid has been described.

Dose. -1-5grains (0.06-0.3 Gm.) [7 1/2 grains (0.5 Gm.), U. S. P.].

Official Preparation

Fluidextractum Mezerei - Fluidextracti Mezerei - Fluidextract of Mezereum. - Dose, 1-5 minims (0.06-0.3 Cc). Mezereum is also one of the ingredients in Decoctum Sarsaparillae Compositum, Extractum Sarsaparillae Fluidum Compositum, and Linimentum Sinapis Compositum.

Antagonists and Incompatibles. - The glucoside is precipitated by tannic and free acids, and the resin by water.

Synergists. - All the vegetable alteratives, with the exception of colchicum.

Physiological Action. - Its action, both locally and internally, is quite similar to that of sanguinaria, but when applied to the skin it is more of a vesicant than an escharotic, and taken internally it is more of a diuretic than sanguinaria, in poisonous doses causing severe urinary irritation and other symptoms produced by a violent gastro-intestinal irritant. The treatment of poisoning would be the same as that prescribed under poisoning by sanguinaria.

Therapeutics. - It is a counterirritant in the form of an ointment. Internally it is now seldom, if ever, used alone, but in combination with other vegetable specifics it is prescribed in chronic rheumatism and in chronic syphilitic, and non-syphilitic, cutaneous diseases.

Contraindications. - Acute inflammation of the stomach, bowels, and kidneys.

Administration. - As it is never given internally alone, no special instructions for its administration are necessary. The fluid extract freely diluted with water would, however, be the only preparation to use.