MOMORDICA ELATERIUM. 
29 
its properties are less active than the former extract. We are told, 
that half a bushel of tiie fruit yielded only two drachms of the proper 
extract, or Elaterium Album, and that forty cucumbers yielded no 
more than six grains.* 
Chemical Properties and Qualities of Elaterium. 
The sensible qualities of the inspissated juice is not remarkable, 
either to the taste or smell ; when chewed it is slightly bitter, and 
warms the throat and fauces. Tlie Elaterfum Album (as it is called,) 
is of a pale- greenish grey, without smell, dry, brittle, and powerfully 
cathartic ; the Elaterium Nigrum is of a darker green, and has a 
resinous appearance. Elaterium is inflammable, and readily dissolves 
in water; spirit of wine dissolves only about one-tenth. According 
to the analysis of Dr. Paris, Elaterium contains, water 4 parts, 
extractive 26, gluten 5, woody matter 25, fecula (or starch) 28, 
elatin and bitter principle 12. 
Elatin, or Elatine, Dr. Paris considers to be anew vegetable prin- 
ciple, and describes it to be of a green colour, heavier than water, 
soft, inflammable, and, when burning, diff'using an aromatic odour; 
insoluble in water, but readily in alcohol ; giving a fine green colour 
to the spirit. To this vegetable principle (i. e. Elatin) the medicinal 
properties of Elaterium are due. 
Medical Properties and Uses. Every part of the Momor- 
dica Elaterium is possessed of purgative properties,! but the dried 
fecula of the fruit {i. e. Elaterium) is the only part now used medi- 
cinally. Elaterium possesses properties powerfully cathartic, and 
was frequently employed as such by the Greek and Arabian physi- 
cians, and its use has since been much recommended in hydropic 
cases, by Pauli, Sydenham, Lister, and others. S. Pauli appears to 
have employed this medicine with great success, yet, from its power- 
ful eff^ects, thinks it should not be used until the milder purgatives 
•have failed ; it is undoubtedly one of the most powerful cathartics in 
the Materia Medica, and requires to be prescribed with due caution. 
Elaterium in doses of grss. to gr. iij. generally proves powerfully 
cathartic. Dr. Woodville says, " The most prudent and eftectual 
*• way in which dropsies are now treated by this remedy, is by 
repeating it at short intervals in small doses." 
Ofi". The fresh fruit when almost ripe. 
Oflr. Pp. Ext. Elaterii. L. 
Elaterium. D. 
* Gray's Elements of Pharmacy. 
t R&dicum vis catliarticum major est quam foliorum, minor vero qnam fructuam. 
Geoff. 
