105 



rheumatic atiecfions. The leaves have, no doubt, a diuretic quality. Ainslie, 

 2. 98. The leaves and seeds of Euphorbia thymifolia are given, by the 

 Tamool doctors of India, in worm cases, and in certain bowel affections of 

 children. lb. 2. 76. The same persons give the fresh juice of Euphorbia 

 pilulifera in aphthous affections. The fresh acrid juice of Euphorbia Tiru- 

 calli is used in India as a vesicatory, lb. 2. 133. The Ethiopians are said, 

 by Virey, to form a mortal poison for their arrows from the juice of Euphor- 

 bia heptagona. Hist, des Medic. 299. The juice of Excsecaria Agallocha, 

 and even its smoke when burnt, affects the eyes with intolerable pain, as has 

 been experienced occasionally by sailors sent ashore to cut fuel, who, accord- 

 ing to Rumphius (2. 238.), having accidentally rubbed their eyes with the 

 juice, became blinded, and ran about like distracted men, and some of them 

 finally lost their sight. The famous Manchineel tree, Hippomane Manci- 

 neila, is said to be so poisonous, that persons have died from merely sleeping 

 beneath its shade. This is doubted, indeed, by Jacquin, who, however, 

 admits its extremely venomous qualities; but it is by no means improbable 

 that the story has some foundation in truth, particularly if, as Ad. de 

 Jussieu truly remarks, the volatile nature of the poisonous principle of these 

 plants is considered. The juice of Hura crepitans is stated to be of the same 

 fatal nature as that of Excsecaria ; its seeds are said to have been admi- 

 nistered to negro slaves as purgatives, in number not exceeding 1 or 2, 

 with fatal consequences. Ad. de J. The powdered fruit of Hyaenanche 

 globosa is used in the colony of the Cape of Good Hope to poison hyasnas, 

 as nux vomica to poison stray dogs in Europe. From the seeds of Jatropha 

 glauca the Hindoos prepare, by careful expression, an oil which, from its 

 stimulating quality, they recommend as an external application in cases 

 of chronic rheumatism and paralytic affections. Ainslie,^. 6. The seeds 

 of Jatropha Curcas are purgative and occasionally emetic ; an expressed oil 

 is obtained from them, which is reckoned a valuable external application in 

 itch and herpes ; it is also used, a little diluted, in chronic rheumatism. 

 The varnish used by the Cliinese for covering boxes is made by boiling this 

 oil with oxide of iron. The leaves are considered as rubefacient and 

 discutient; the milky juice is supposed to have a detergent and healing 

 quality, and dyes Imen black. Ibid. 2. 46. The roots of the Jatropha 

 Manihot, or Mandiocca, yield a flour of immense importance in South 

 America: this is obtained by crushing the roots, after the bark has been 

 removed, and then straining off the water; after which the mass is gradually 

 dried in pans over a fire. The seeds of several species of Jatropha are 

 purgative, but they sometimes act so dangerously as to require extreme 

 caution in administering them. Mercuiialis perennis is purgative and 

 dangerous. According to Sloane, it has sometimes produced violent 

 vomiting, incessant diarrhoea, a burning heat in the head, a deep and 

 long stupor, convulsions, and even death ; yet this very plant, when boiled, 

 has been eaten as a potherb. The leaves of Maprounea brasiliensis, or the 

 Marmeleiro do Campo of Brazil, yield a black dye, which is, however, 

 fugitive. A decoction of its root is also administered in derangement of 

 the stomach ; — a most remarkable circumstance, if vre consider the close 

 relation that is borne by it to Manchineel and other most poisonous trees. 

 According to M. Auguste St. Hilaire, the Maprounea is destitute of the 

 milky juice of Sapium, Excsecaria, Hippomane, and other dangerous genera. 

 PL Us. 65. The seeds of Omphalea are eaten safely, if the embryo is first 

 removed ; if this is not done, they are cathartic. Both Pedilanthus tithy- 

 maloides and padifolius are used medicinally in the West Indies : the 

 former, known under the name of Ipecacuanha, is used for the same 

 purposes as that drug; the latter, called the Jew Bush, or Milk plant, is 



