104 



lities of its seeds, which are fully as powerful as those of the Palma Christi. 

 The Brazilians make use of them in cases of indigestion, in liver complaints, 

 the iaundice, and dropsy. The rind, roasted on the fire, passes as a certain 

 remedy for diarrhoea brought on by cold. According to Marcgraaf, the fresh 

 rind steeped in water communicates to it a narcotic property which is suffi- 

 cient to stupify fish. Martins Anicen. Monac. p. 3. The seeds are either 

 eaten raw or are prepared as an electuary; they yield an oil, which is said, 

 by M. Auguste St. Hilaire, to be drying and excellent for painting ; in short, 

 much betfer than nut oil. PL Usuelles, 54. The bark of Briedelia spinosa, 

 an Indian shrub, is, according to Roxburgh, a powerful astringent ; the 

 leaves are o-reedily eaten by cattle, which by their means free themselves of 

 intestinal worms. The leaves of common Box are sudorific and purgative; 

 accordino- lo Hanway, camels eat them in Persia, but they die in conse- 

 quence. " Ad. de J. The flowers of Caturus spiciflorus are spoken of as a 

 specific in diarrhoea, either taken in decoction or in conserve. Burnt. Ind. 

 303. The succulent fruit of Cicca disticha and racemosa is sub-acid, cooling, 

 and wholesome. Its leaves are sudorific, and its seeds cathartic. The cap- 

 sules of Cluytia coUina are poisonous, according to Roxburgh. The root 

 and bark of Codieeum variegatum are acrid, and excite a burning sensation 

 in the mouth if chewed ; but the leaves are sweet and cooling. Rumphius. 

 The juice of Commia cochinchinensis is white, tenacious, emetic, purgative, 

 and deobstruent. Cautiously administered, it is a good medicine in obstinate 

 dropsy and obstructions. Lour. 743. The Quina Blanca of Vera Cruz is 

 produced by the Croton Eluteria of Swartz, and is probably the Cascarilla 

 of Europe. Schiede in Ann. des Sc. 18. 217. The drastic oil of Tiglium is 

 expressed from the seeds of Croton Tiglium, formerly known in Europe 

 under the name of Grana molucca. It is said, by Dr. Ainslie, to have proved 

 in a sincrular manner emmenagogue. Mat. Med. 1. 108. A decoction of 

 Croton perdicipes, called Pe de Perdis, Alcamphora, and Cocallera, in 

 difterent provinces of Brazil, is much esteemed as a cure for syphilis, and as 

 a useful diuretic. PI. Us, 59. The root of another species, called Velame 

 do Campo, C. campestris, has a purgative root, also employed against syphi- 

 litic disorders. lb. 60. The leaves of a species of Croton (C. gratissimum, 

 Burchell,) are so fragrant as to be used by the Koras of the Cape of Good 

 hope as a perfume. Burch. 2. 263. Crozophora tinctoria yields the prepa- 

 ration called Turnsol; the iilant itself is acrid, emetic, and drastic. An 

 abundance of useful oil is obtained from two species of Elaeococca; it is, 

 however, only fit for burning and painting, on account of its acridity. Ad. 

 de J. Six sorts of European Euphorbias are named, by Deslongchamps, 

 as fit substitutes for Ipecacuanha, the best of which he states to be E. 

 Gerardiana, the powdered root of which vomits easily in doses of 18 or 

 20 grains. Ainslie, 1. 123. The root of Euphorbia Ipecacuanha is said, 

 by Barton, to be equal to tbe true Ipecacuanha, and in some respects supe- 

 rior; it is not unpleasant either in taste or smell. Barton, 1.218. Various 

 species of fleshy Euphorbia, especially the Euph. antiquorum and canariensis, 

 produce the drug Euphorbium of the shops, which is the inspissated milky 

 juice of such plants. In India it is mixed with the oil expressed from the 

 "seeds of Sesamum orientale, and used externally in rheumatic affections, and 

 internally in cases of obstinate constipation. It is little used in Europe. 

 Orfila places it among his poisons. Ainslie, 1. 121. Euphorbia papillosa 

 is administered, in Brazil, as a purgative ; but is apt, if given in too strong a 

 dose, to cause dangerous superpurgations. PI. Usuelles, 18. The juice of 

 the leaves of Euphorbia nereifolia is prescribed by the native practitioners of 

 India inl rnally as a purge and deobstruent, and externally, mixed with 

 Marg'osa oil, in such cases of contracted limb as are induced by ill-treated 



