456 ELATERIUM 



added to blistering ointments promote their activity, but 

 indorses also increase their tendency to blemish. 



Linimentum crotonis is made with one ounce croton 

 oil, 3J ounces of oil of cajuput, and 3J ounces of alcohol 

 (90 per cent.). A tincture prepared with 1J ounce of 

 bruised croton-seeds and 20 ounces of rectified spirit is 

 occasionally used as a counter-irritant. 



ELATERIUM 



Elaterium. A sediment from the juice of the fruit of 

 Ecballium elaterium, the squirting cucumber. Nat. Ord. 

 Cucurbitacese . 



Elaterin. C 20 H 28 5 , the active principle of Elaterium 

 (B.R). 



Elaterium occurs in light, friable, flat, or slightly curved 

 opaque cakes, about one-tenth of an inch thick, pale green 

 or greyish-green in colour, odour faint, taste bitter and 

 acrid. It should contain 20 to 25 per cent, of the active 

 principle elaterin, which is neutral, insoluble in water, 

 soluble in 115 parts of alcohol (90 per cent.), in 220 of 

 ether, and very soluble in chloroform. 



Elaterium is a very active irritant on mucous membranes, 

 large doses causing gastro-enteritis and haemorrhage. Medi- 

 cinally it is a powerful drastic, hydragogue cathartic, much 

 too energetic for general use. Its action is followed by 

 depression. It has been prescribed in the treatment of 

 abdominal dropsy in dogs. Its action on horses or cattle 

 has not been ascertained. 



DOSES, etc. (Elaterium for dogs, gr. -^ to gr. J ; (Ela- 

 terin) gr. -^j- to gr. T L in mucilage, milk, or pill (Kaufmann). 

 To facilitate dispensing, the compound powder of elaterin, 

 containing 5 grains of the active principle and 195 grains 

 of milk sugar may be used. 



Euonymin, an extract obtained from the root-bark of 

 Euonymus atro-purpureus (Celastracese), is employed as a 

 liver stimulant and laxative for the dog, in doses of grs. ii. 

 to grs. v. 



