132 NAT. ORDER. EDPHORBIACE^. 



used externally in rheumatic affections, and internally in cnses of 

 obstinate constipation. It is but little used in this country or 

 Europe. Orfila places it among his poisons. Euphorbia ptipillosa 

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

 strong a dose, to cause dangerous superpurgations. The juice of 

 the leaves of Euphorbia nercifolia is pi-escribed by the native practi- 

 tioners of India, internally as a purge and deobstruent, and exter- 

 nally, mixed with Margosa oil, in such cases of contracted limbs as 

 are induced by ill-treated rheumatic affections. The leaves have, 

 no doubt, a diuretic quality. The leaves and seeds o^ Eaphoibia 

 thymifuUa are given by the Tamool doctors of India in worm cases, 

 and in certain bowel affections of children. The same persons give 

 i\\e ive^h iuice oi Euphorbia jnlulifera in apthous affections. The 

 fresh, acrid juice of Eujjhorbia Tirucalli is used in India as a vesica- 

 tory. The Ethopians are said, by Virey, to form a mortal poison 

 for their arrows from the juice oi Euphorbia hcptagona. The juice 

 of ExccBcaria Agallocha, and even its smoke when burnt, affects tlie 

 eyes with intolerable pain, as has been experienced occasionally by 

 sailors sent ashore to cut fuel, who, according to accredited authority, 

 having accidentally rubbed their eyes with the juice, became blind- 

 ed, and ran about like distracted men, and some of them finally lost 

 their sight. The famous Manchinccl tree, IUppomane Mancindla, is 

 said to be so poisonous that persons hav^e died from merely sleeping 

 beneath its branches. This is doubted by Jacquin, who, however, 

 admits its extremely venomous qualities : but it is by no means im- 

 probable that the remark has some foundation in truth, particularly 

 if the volatile nature of the poisonous principle of these plants be 

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

 fatal nature as that of Exccccaria — its seeds are said to have been 

 administered to negro slaves as purgatives, in numbers not exceeding 

 one or two, with fatal consequences. The powdered fruit of //i/(£ii- 

 anchc globosa is used in the colony of the Cape of Good Hope to poi- 

 son hyienas, as mix vomica to poison stray dogs in this country. 



