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CROTON ELUTERIA. 
ceptacle, and occupying the whole of its disc ; the former consists of 
two slender short filaments, with yellow anthers ; the latter of a 
roundish germen, supporting a single style, terminated by an obtuse 
stigma ; the capsule, when ripe, possesses an elastic power, by which 
the seeds are thrown out with considerable force. 
Sensible Qualities, &c. Contrajerva root has a peculiar but 
not unpleasant odour, its taste is bitter, when chewed it heats the 
mouth, and leaves a pretty lasting impression on the tongue ; these 
qualities it preserves when dried and reduced to a state of powder. 
The watery infusion is of a brown colour, with the taste of the root ; it 
is not altered by sulphate of iron ; the watery decoction is of a dark 
red brown, and very mucilaginous. The alcoholic tincture reddens 
vegetable blues, is not altered by sulphate of iron, but is precipi- 
tated by water, and on the spirit being distilled off, leaves a rather 
acrid resin, with the taste of the root. 
Medical Properties and Uses. Contrajerva is a gentle 
stimulant diaphoretic and tonic, and is frequently given in exanthe- 
matous diseases, typhus, dysentery, and in some kinds of diarrhoea. 
It is also a useful remedy in rheumatism, both chronic and acute, 
in fevers attending the dentition of weak infants, and to women after 
their accouchement.* 
Off. The Root. 
Off. Pp. Pulvis Contrajervae Compositus, L, 
CROTON ELUTERIA. 
Elutheria Croton. 
Class MoN CECi A.— Orc/er Monadelphia. 
Nat. Ord. Tricoccje, Linn. Euphorbije, Juss. 
* Tha late Sir Rd. Croft usually prescribed the compound powder of contrajerva in 
combination with ether and cinnamon water, in preference to the antiquated spermaceti 
draught. We have followed his practice with the most decisive advantage to our pa- 
tients ; the above combination generally relieving the after-pains, and promoting gentle 
diaphoresis.— JBrf. 
