CUCURBITACE^E. 309 



dried root was the best preparation he could obtain from it, since it was at 

 once a mild and powerful hydragogue." GeofTroy and Lemery also speak 

 of the root as powerful, and as much used as the fruit ; the active portion of 

 this latter was not understood, it was termed " eztractum elalerii" but it is 

 not an extract, nor is it an inspissated juice, nor a fecula as it has been suc- 

 cessively termed. In consequence of the uncertainty respecting it, Dr. Clutter- 

 buck instituted a series of experiments which conclusively proved that "the 

 most active principle belonging to this plant, is neither lodged in the roots, 

 leaves, flowers, nor stalks, in any considerable quantity; nor is it to be found 

 in the body of the fruit itself, nor in the seeds contained within it : it was only 

 in the juice around the seeds therefore that it could be looked for, and here 

 it will be found." On these experiments of Dr. Clutterbuck, the processes 

 now followed have been based; these are to slice the fruit and permit the 

 juice to drain off, either spontaneously or aided by pressure ; the fluid thus 

 obtained deposits a pale-green substance, which is what is termed elaterium ; the 

 quantity afforded by a fruit is very small, as forty fruits only produced six 

 grains. This substance being insoluble in water, a question has arisen as to 

 what kept it in a state of solution in the juice ; which has been solved by Dr. 

 A. T. Thomson : he suggests that the elaterium does not exist in a formed 

 state in the juice, and is the result of an absorption of oxygen by the fluid, 

 as this is at first nearly colourless and transparent, and does not become 

 turbid or make any deposit until it has been exposed to the action of the air; 

 if the progress of this change be examined by means of a microscope, it will be 

 seen that there is a gradual formation of minute crystals, mingled with vege- 

 table matters. The elaterium of the shops, therefore, consists of these crys- 

 tals (elaterin) mixed with green colouring matter, cellular tissue, starch, &c, 

 and according to the care taken in the preparation, will be the proportional 

 quantity of this active principle, as it varies from 5 to 44 per cent. 



The best elaterium is in light, friable, thin, somewhat curled flakes or frag- 

 ments, of a pale grayish-green colour, which changes to yellowish by expo- 

 sure. The taste is acrid and bitterish, it has a faint animal odour. Numerous 

 analyses have been made of it with very different results as to the proportionate 

 quantity of the active principle, but agreeing in other respects, showing that 

 these discrepancies have arisen from the different degrees of purity of the 

 specimens experimented upon. Elaterin is separated by making an alcoholic 

 solution of elaterium, evaporating to the consistence of thin oil, and adding 

 boiling distilled water, when the elaterin will be gradually separated in a 

 crystalline form (Morries, Journ. Phil. Col. Pharm. iii. 130). This substance 

 is in silky crystals, very bitter but inodorous, neither acid nor alkaline, soluble 

 in alcohol, but insoluble in water. It is extremely active, as one-tenth of a 

 grain will purge actively, and Dr. Golding Bird is of opinion that one-six- 

 teenth of a grain is enough to commence with. In consequence of this ex- 

 treme activity it is seldom used, the elaterium itself, if good, being sufficiently 

 active for all purposes for which it is required. 



Elaterium, as has been seen from the above, is variable in its effects, owing 

 to the difference in its quality ; when good, it is the most powerful purgative 

 known, the only article that approximates to it being Croton oil. 



Medical Properties. — From what has been said, it will be evident that 

 elaterium is a purgative of great violence of action, and is to be resorted 

 to only where a powerful impression is wished to be made on the in- 

 testinal canal. Its principal use is to excite copious watery evacuations in 

 dropsy, in certain cases of which it has proved very useful, but should never 

 be given when inflammation or organic disease of the bowels exists, and is 

 of course contra-indicated when the patient is debilitated ; but even in the 



