Poisoning by Croton Seeds and Oil — Euphorbia. 287 



seeds contain a very active poison, which has been fatally ingested 

 by horses with grain or otherwise. Five and a half ounces of 

 the seeds have proved fatal. (Pelletier. Wende). 



The symptoms are those of acute colic and gastro-enteritis. 

 The indications are to wash out the stomach by abundant demul- 

 cents and the stomach pump, and if necessary to hasten the ex- 

 pulsion of the offensive matters by bland laxatives (olive oil, 

 Glauber salts). 



POISONING BY CROTON SEEDS AND OID. 



Fatal dose without water. Vomiting animals. Superpurgation . Lesions. 

 Treatment : diluents, demulcents, stomach pump. Opiates. 



One drachm of crpton seeds given to a horse, without water 

 proved fatal in 24 hours (Morton) ; 2 drachms followed by all 

 the water the horse would drink produced most violent catharsis 

 followed by recovery (Hughes). Twenty to thirty drops of 

 croton oil proved fatal ; 8 drops in the jugular vein caused death 

 (Hertwig). It is much less fatal to cattle. Dogs and pigs vomit 

 it so readily that they usually survive with profuse catharsis. 



The symptoms are profuse watery diarrhoea with tenesmus, 

 congested mucosae, rapidly increasing weakness and small pulse, 

 becoming imperceptible. 



The lesions are violent congestion of the mucosa of stomach 

 and intestines, concentrated very largely on the caecum and 

 colon. 



Treatment consists in abundance of mucilaginous liquids, which 

 the animal readily drinks, and washing out the stomach with the 

 stomach tube or pump. Opiates may be demanded to calm the 

 pain. 



POISONING BY EUPHORBIA. 



In Europe euphorbia lathyris has been found to produce in 

 animals, colic, constipation, tympany, followed by bloody 

 diarrhoea, stupor and haematuria. In America the euphorbia 

 corollata (large flowering spurge) and euphorbia ipecacuanhse 

 (ipecacuanha spurge) though less potent have a similar action. 



