EUPHORBIA OFFICINARUM. ORD. XXXIX.  Tricocce. 77 
Poisonous Effects. Euphorbium is ranked by toxicologists among the ac- 
rid poisons, and when taken inwardly, it produces the general effects of this 
class of vegetable poisons,—viz. violent vomiting and purging, accompanied 
with great pain in the stomach and bowels, strong and frequent pulse, quick 
and difficult respiration, appearance of intoxication; pupil of the eye fre- 
quently dilated, insensibility and death. Orfila made many experiments on 
dogs, to ascertain the effects of Euphorbium on the animal economy, and 
from them has drawn the following conclusions : — First, that Euphorbium 
exerts a local action extremely violent, capable of producing acute inflam- 
mation. Secondly, that its fatal effects depend rather on sympathetic irita- 
tion of the nervous system, than on its absorption. Thirdly, that it acts on 
the human species as on dogs.* 
Many other species of Euphorbia are equally violent in their effects as the 
officinarum— viz. Euphorbia Antiquorum, palustris, hyberna, amygdaloides, 
2 ], typhy , verrucosa, canariensis, it neriife olia, exigua, and Esula. . 
We are told by Scopoli that the Huphorbia Esula produced death in a wo- 
man, in half an hour after she had swallowed thirty grains of the root; and 
also that he witnessed gangrene and death to follow the application of the 
same plant to the abdomen. . a 
Medical Properties and Uses. Euphorbium is powerfully cathartic, emetic, 
and errhine; formerly it was given asa hydragogue in anasarcous and other 
disorders requiring the aid of powerful remedies; but its effects are so vio- 
lent, even when exhibited in small doses, that it is now seldom prescribed 
as an internal medicine. When used as an errhine, it requires to be diluted 
with starch or some other inert powder; for if taken alone, its action is so 
violent as to produce inflammation and hemorrhage; but when properly di- 
. 
CUuereee (ts 
* In the Philosophical Transactions for 1760, the following case is recorded, of a 
Mrs. Willis, who took by mistake two ounces of the tincture of Euphorbium, prepared 
with two drachms of camphor and two of Euphorbium to two ounces of rectified spirit. 
Immediately after, she experienced a violent suffocation, attended with a burning heat™ 
in the mouth and stomach ; large draughts of warm water were immediately exhibited, 
which produced copious vomiting ; the burning pain at the stomach continuing, she was 
ordered to drink oil and water alternately ; the vomiting continuing, an ounce of ipecac- 
uanha wine was administered, which caused copious evacuations from the stomach and 
bowels; after which, an opiate and mild diluents soon produced tranquillity. ‘The vio- 
lent effects produced by the tincture of Euphorbiwm in this case, must be partly attri- 
buted to the camphor. 
