260 IdUniOBBIACEJiJ. 



whicli requires further examination. If eupliorton dissolved 

 in alcoliol is allowed to form a thin film in a porcelain capsule, 

 and is then moistened with a little concentrated sulphuric aciJ, 

 a fine violet hue is produced in contact with strong nitric acid 

 slowly added by means of a glass rod. The same reaction is 

 displayed by lactucerin, to which in its general characters 

 euphorbon is closely allied. If a few drops of an alcoholic 

 solution of euphorbon are allowed to dry on a piece of filtering 

 paper, and then touched with a drop of nitric acid, a blue colour 

 will be developed. 



Pure euphorbon, according to Henke, melts at 67° to 68 

 its composition was found to be 0='°H='^0. Its rotatory power 

 dissolved in chloroform was [n]D= +15*°88. Hesse i 

 euphorbon the formula C^^II''*0. 



The mucilage of euphorbium is precipitated by ^ neutral 

 acetate of lead, as well as silicate or borate of sodium, it there- 

 fore does not aorree with ffum arable. 



If an aqueous extract of euphorbium is mixccl with spi 

 of wine, and the liquid evaporated, the residual matter assumes 



Tystalline 



reactions 



of Malic Acid. Subjected to dry distillation, white scales and 

 acicular crystals of Maleic and Famaric acids, produced by 

 decomposition of the malic acid, are sublimed into the nee 

 the retort. {P/iarmacograpIn'a, 2nd Ed. 3 p. 560.) 



Toxicology. — Euphorbium causes the eyes to weep and gro 

 red, the nose to run with watery and even bloody mucus, 

 and saliva to flow abundantly from the mouth. To preven 

 theae effects, says Pereira, some drug-grinders enip . 

 masks with glass-eyes, others apply a wet sponge to 

 nose and face, while others cover the face with crape- 

 Individuals who have been exposed for some time to tne 

 iufluence of this dust suffer with headache, giddiness, an 

 tdtimately become delirious. I was informed, he adds, of 



labourer 



during 



mill 



ease 



under bis notice a nian 



