226 
EUPHORBIA OFPICINARUM. 
gravity is 1.124. Braconnot* makes 100 parts of Euphorbium to 
contain 37.0 of resin, 19.0 wax. 20.5 malate of lime, which was 
mistaken for gum, 2.0 malate of potass, 5.0 water, 13.5 woody 
matter, and 3.0 loss. 
Medical Properties and Uses. Euphorbiura is powerfully 
cathartic and emetic, hence it was foroierly given as a hydragogue 
in dropsies, &c. but its elFects are so violent, even when exhibited in 
small doses, that it is now very seldom given internally. It is also a 
powerful errhine, but requires dilution, for if used alone its action 
is so violent as to produce inflammation and hjemorrhage. When 
properly diluted with starch or some other inert powder, and used 
with discretion, it has been found an excellent errhine in lethargy, 
deafness, paralysis, amaurosis, palsy, &c. 
Poisonous Effects. Euphorbium is ranked by toxicologists, 
among the acrid poisons. Orlila made many experiments on dogs 
to ascertain the effects of Euphorbium on the animal economy, and 
from them has drawn the following conclusions : First, That Euphor- 
bium exerts a local action extremely violent, capable of producing 
acute inflammation. Secondly, That its fatal eflfects depend rather on 
sympathetic irritation of the nervous system than on its absorption. 
Thirdly, That it acts on the human species as on dogs. 
In the Philosophical Transactions for 1760, a case is recorded of 
a Mrs. Willis, who took by mistake two ounces of the tincture of 
Euphorbium, prepared with two drachms of camphor and two of 
Euphorbium to two ounces of rectified spirit. Immediately after 
she experienced a violent suflTocation, attended with a burning pain 
in the mouth and stomach ; large draughts of warm water were im- 
mediately exhibited, which produced copious vomiting; the burning 
pain at the stomach continuing, she was ordered to drink oil and 
water alternately ; the vomiting continuing, an ounce of ipecacu- 
anha wine was administered, which produced copious evacuation 
from the stomach and bowels, after which an opiate and mild dilu- 
ents soon produced tranquility. The violent effects produced by the 
tincture of Euphorbium in this case must be partly attributed to the 
camphor. 
Many other species of Euphorbia are equally violent in their 
effects, viz. Euphorbia Antiquorum, Euphorbia Palustris, Euphor- 
bia Hiberna, Euphorbia Characias, Euphorbia Amygdaloides, Eu- 
phorbia Canariensis, Euphorbia Verrucosa, Euphorbia Platiphyllos, 
* Annates de Chimie, Ixviii. 44. 
