Euphorbia Ipecacuanha. 217 
longs to the head of drastic emetics. I am not certain that it would 
be a valuable addition to the materia medica; but perhaps it 
would.*?* 
Induced by the sensible properties of the plant, and the re- 
marks just quoted, I last year determined to give a fair and exten- 
sive trial to the medicinal virtues of this species of Spurge. A por- 
- tion of the dried root was finely pulverised, and administered with 
caution to various patients. I at first commenced with small doses, 
_ of three, four, and five grains. In this quantity the powder nause- 
ated, and produced a determination to the skin, as small doses of 
Ipecacuanha do. On increasing the number of grains to ten, vomit- 
ing was produced, with occasionally an operation on the bowels. 
Fifteen grains I found sufficient to produce full vomiting in most 
cases; andin a single instance, having given the powder to the ex- 
tent of twenty-five grains, | had reason to be alarmed at the violent 
cathartic effect which ensued, and continued for fourteen hours, at- 
tended by distressing sickness of the stomach. 
Ihave tried this speeies of Euphorbia in Dover’s powders, in- 
stead of the Ipecacuanha; and in various other combinations into 
which the latter article enters as a part: and can confidently assert, 
that in all the instances, it has been equal, if not superior, to the 
* Part 1. p. 26. 
