406 VEGETABLE DRUGS 



when a milder operation than that obtained by a full dose of salts is 

 required, and for its demulcent action in irritable states of the digestive 

 organs. Linseed oil, combined with salts, is useful in impaction of the 

 rumen and omasum in cattle. By combining linseed oil with croton oil 

 we procure a potent purge for cattle. Castor oil or sweet oil is usually 

 preferable to linseed oil in the treatment of dogs. Soap suds encmata 

 are made more effective by the addition of 1 or 2 pints of linseed oil (for 

 horses), and 1 or 2 ounces (for dogs). The oil may be given in its pure 

 state, but more uncommonly is prescribed with gruel, glycerin, mucilage, 

 or molasses. One ounce each of linseed oil and molasses may be given to 

 the larger animals; or one dram of either to the smaller animals, as an 

 expectorant in bronchitis. The mixture is often a most serviceable one 

 and probably acts by improving the nutrition of the bronchial mucous 

 membrane. Linseed oil and sweet oil resemble cod liver oil in this respect, 

 and while both are probably inferior to the latter, as expectorants, they 

 are more palatable and cheaper. 



Oleum Ricini. Castor Oil. (U. S. & B. P.) 



Synonym. — Oleum e semini ricinl, huile de ricin, Fr.; ricinusiil, G. 



A fixed oil obtained from the seed of Ricinus communis Linne (Fam. Eu- 

 phorbiaceae) . 



Habitat. — India. Cultivated in many countries. 



Properties. — A pale, yellowish and almost colorless, transparent, viscid fluid, 

 having a faint, mild odor and a bland, afterwards slightly acrid, and generally 

 nauseating taste. Spec. gr. 0.946 to 0.965. Soluble in equal volumes of alcohol, 

 and in all proportions in absolute alcohol, or in glacial acetic acid; also soluble In 

 three times its volume of 92.5 per cent, alcohol (absence of more than about 5 

 per cent, of most other fixed oils). Partly soluble in benzin. 



Constituents. — 1, ricinolein, or ricinoleic acid glyceride, C3H5(CisHs403)s; 2, 

 an acrid principle; 3, palmitin, stearin and myristin; 4, possibly a non-purgative 

 alkaloid, ricinine. 



Dose.— H. & C, Oi, (500); Sh. & Sw., sii-iv, (60-120); D. & Cats, Si-ii, 

 (30-60); poultry, 3i, (4). 



Castor Oil Seeds. — These are not official. The name Ricinus is applied to 

 the plant because of the resemblance of the seed to a ricinus, or tick. The seeds 

 are of a shiny, gray color,, marked with brownish spots and streaks. They are 

 about the size of small beans (17 mm. x8 mm.), ovoid, flattened, and white inside. 

 They contain 50 per cent, of oil, and an acrid, poisonous substance, a toxalbumin, 

 ricin. Three seeds have caused death in man, and they are ten. times more purga- 

 tive than the oil. 



Action and Uses. — Castor oil closely resembles olive oil save that 

 when saponified ricinoleic, instead of oleic, acid is formed. In the intes- 

 tines the oil is decomposed into its component parts — fatty acids, glycerin 

 and ricinoleic acid — by the bile and pancreatic juice, and the ricinoleic 

 acid is further changed to ricinoleates (soaps, as sodium ricinoleate), 

 which are irritant and therefore cause purgation. Much of the castor 

 oil is absorbed like other oils and in China castor oil is even used for food. 

 Castor oil is mild, but has a more decided purgative action than linseed 

 oil and often occasions griping. It acts within 4 or 5 hours in dogs, and 

 will purge when absorbed from the skin or rectum. Castor oil is specially 

 applicable in canine practice, to unload the bowels, and in irritated con- 

 ditions of the digestive tract. It is useful in constipation only as an 

 occasional remedy since it is followed by greater tendency to this condi- 

 tion, but small doses (D., 3i) are sometimes given daily in chronic con- 



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