OLEUM RICINI — CASTOR OIL 239 



Preparation. Linimentum Calcis (equal parts of lime water 

 and linseed oil). 



These oils are essentially nutritives and digestible fats, but in 

 large amounts (1 — 2 tablespoonfuls for the dog, % — 1 pint for large 

 animals) may be mildly laxative, being changed to soap and gly- 

 cerin in the intestines. In larger amounts, they are only partly 

 saponified, and more purgative, deriving some of their results from 

 increasing the bulk of the intestinal contents. 



Uses Internally. Olive oil and cottonseed oil are sometimes 

 used as a laxative for small animals but not for large ones. Lin- 

 seed oil is often used in large animal practice, particularly in horses, 

 where it is not desired to produce severe purgation. It is also very 

 serviceable in cattle practice although some authorities claim that the 

 salines are to be preferred. Carron oil is a good preparation for ad- 

 ministration to small and young animals and is often very service- 

 able in heaves of horses. 



These oils may also be used as demulcents, to diminish excessive 

 hydrochloric acid secretion in the stomach and to allay irritation of 

 the rectum. 



Externally they are demulcents, emollients, and protectives. 

 Linimentum calcis is especially useful in burns of the first degree. 



OLEUM EIOINI 



Synonym. Castor Oil 



This is a fixed oil expressed from the seeds of Ricinus communis, 

 a plant indigenous to southern Asia, and cultivated in temperate 

 climates for ornamental and other purposes. 



Doses. H. gxvj— xxxij; 500.— 1000. Sh. & Sw. ,^ij— 

 viij ; 60.— 240. D. gss— ij ; 15.-60. 



Externally and Locally. Like other bland oils it is sedative 

 and protectant when applied to the skin and mucosa. 



Internally. The only important effect is upon the digestive 

 tract, upon which it acts as a mild irritant, causing but little grip- 

 ing or flatulence and unloading the bowels thoroughly. Chemically 

 castor oil is a combination of glycerin, fatty acids and ricinoleic 

 acid. This combination passes unchanged through the stomach, but 

 is broken dovni by the bile and pancreatic juice into glycerin and 

 recinoleic acid. The latter combines with the sodium present and 

 forms sodium ricinoleate, a soap which has marked irritating prop- 

 erties. This is also absorbed and excreted in various ways, appear- 

 ing in the milk and imparting purgative properties to it. Castor 

 oil requires from 4 to 5 hours to operate in the dog and much longer 

 in the larger animals. It causes large soft stools and usually thor- 



