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Art. V. Observations and Experiments upon the Chemical 

 Composition of the Seeds of the Croton Tiglium, and the 

 Oil which is procured from them. By John Nimmo, 

 M.D. 



[Communicated by the Author.] 



On taking a review of the various substances which have 

 been employed, at different periods of the history of medicine, 

 for the cure of diseases, the frequency with which the opinions 

 of medical men have changed in regard to their presumed 

 efficacy, cannot fail to arrest the attention of the most super- 

 ficial observer. In regard to many substances which have 

 been employed during an early period of the science of medi- 

 cine, the discredit into which they have fallen subsequently 

 may be traced to the discovery of other medicinal substances, 

 the greater efficacy of which, or convenience in administering 

 them, has rendered the employment of preceding remedies less 

 frequent, and at length succeeded in degrading substances 

 which were resorted to with confidence, to that of being consi- 

 dered of no value whatever. Thus has hellebore fallen so low 

 in the estimation of the medical profession, from a pre-eminent 

 station which it once held in the cure of some of the most import- 

 ant diseases ; most of the substances employed to produce vesi- 

 cation have given way, soon after cantharides was introduced 

 into general use ; thus have ipecacuanha and tartarized anti- 

 mony become substitutes for other remedies ; and many other 

 instances might be adduced, from which it would appear evi- 

 dent, that to other principles than caprice, alteration in the na- 

 ture of diseases, and changes in the constitution of mankind aris- 

 ing from difference of climate or habits, must the change in opi- 

 nion relative to the variable efficacy of different medicinal sub- 

 stances be attributed. 



The seeds of the Croton Tiglium have been known to be pos- 

 sessed of medicinal efficacy as a purgative, nearly nine centu- 

 ries. At no period, however, do they appear to have been 



