310 MEDICAL BOTANY. 



cases most favourable to its use, its effects must be closely watched. It is also 

 beneficial as a revulsive in cerebral affections, and has been employed with 

 good effect in obstinate constipation depending on sluggishness of the bowels. 

 Dr. Clutterbuck speaks highly of it (Obs. on Epidem. Fev.) in febrile affec- 

 tions, and states that he has never found any single remedy equally effica- 

 cious in cutting short the disease. The dose of elaterium is from one six- 

 teenth to half a grain ; it is usually given in the form of pills. Elaterin is 

 given in powder in combination with bitartrate of potash or in solution in alco- 

 hol, in doses of one-sixteenth to one-eighth of a grain. (See Dunglison, Gen. 

 Therap. i. 202.) 



Luffa. — Tournefort. 



Petals 5, inserted on the base of the calyx ; anthers distinct, or 2 — 3-delphous. Style 

 trifid ; stigmas reniform or bipartite. Fruit at length dry, and internally fibrous, usu- 

 ally opening by a terminal lid, rarely indehiscent. 



A well-marked genus, established originally by Tournefort, and subse- 

 quently recognised by Cavanilles and Wight, [Ann. Nat. Hist.) Most of the 

 species are possessed of active properties, and none of them are edible. 



L. operculata, Linn. — Leaves obscurely 5-angled, petioles long-channelled. Fruit an 

 oval, trilocular capsule. 



Momordica operculata, Linn., Sp. PI. 1090; Commelin, Plant, rar. t. 

 22 ; Hancock, Jour. Phil. Coll. Pharm. ii. 144. 



Description. — Root fibrous. Stem very long, 5-angled. Leaves distant, angular, some- 

 what 5-lobed, roughly pubescent, on long-channelled petioles. Flowers yellow, the males 

 in clusters on a common receptacle ; females solitary, elevated above the germ on a co- 

 lumnar torus, which becomes the lid or operculum of the capsule. Petals thrice the length 

 of the calyx, obovate, spreading, obtuse. Stamens five, cohering. Ovary large, angular; 

 style cleft. Fruit an oval, trilocular, prickly, brown, dry capsule, with a deciduous oper- 

 culum, which on being detached, discovers within a white three-celled reticulum or web- 

 like substance, lying loose, and enveloping black, compressed seeds. 



This plant is found in Guiana, where it is abundant. The description of 

 it by Dr. Hancock, does not agree with the characters of Momordica, but 

 approaches nearer to those of Luffa, and it is probable that more than one 

 plant is confounded under the name of M. operculata. The fruit is not a true 

 pepo, but a dry, trilocular capsule with a deciduous lid at the apex. The web, 

 or reticulum, which is the active portion, weighs about six or eight grains, and 

 is more intensely bitter than any other known substance ; when agitated with 

 water it gives out much froth, like soap. 



Medical Uses, fyc. — Dr. Hancock states it is one of the most active hydra- 

 gogue purgatives hitherto discovered, and also proves diuretic and sudorific ; 

 in small doses it is alterative and stomachic. The mode of administration he 

 prefers is to infuse two of the capsules in a quart of boiling water, with the 

 addition of a tablespoonful of common salt, and agitating well whilst cooling. 

 The dose of this is from one to two fluid ounces. When given in substance, 

 the dose is one grain. Where it is given as a cathartic, it is better to admin- 

 ister the full dose, as it docs not act as well in divided portions ; when given in 

 infusion, an over-dose is certain of being rejected, and nothing is to be feared 

 from it, for if the evacuations are too profuse, they are readily controllable by 

 opiates and demulcents. When a full dose is taken, the patient should lie down 

 and remain tranquil for an hour or two to prevent nausea. It has been found 

 of great utility in dropsy, and as an enema in colica pictonum. Dr. Hancock 



