132 
NAT. ORDER. :EUPH0RB1ACE^, 
used externally in rheumatic affections, and internally in cases of 
obstinate constipation. It is but little used in this country or 
Europe. Orfila places it among his poisons. Euphorhia papulosa 
is administered in Brazil as a purgative ; but is apt, if given in too 
strong a dose, to cause dangerous superpurgations. The juice of 
the leaves of Euphorbia nereifolia is prescribed by the native practi- 
tioners of India, internally as a purge and deobstruent, and exter- 
nally, mixed with Margosa oil, in such cases of contracted limbs as 
are induced by ill-treated rheumatic affections. The leaves have, 
no doubt, a diuretic quality. The leaves and seeds of Euplm-bia 
thymifolia are given by the Tamool doctors of India in worm cases, 
and in certain bowel affections of children. The same persons give 
the fresh juice of Euphorbia jnkdifera in apthous affections. The 
fresh, acrid juice of Euphorbia. Tiriicalli is used in India as a vesica- 
tory. The Ethopians are said, by Virey, to form a mortal poison 
for their arrows from the juice of Euphorbia heptagona. The juice 
of Exccscaria Agallocha, and even its smoke when burnt, affects the 
eyes with intolerable pain, as has been experienced occasionally by 
sailors sent ashore to cut fuel, who, according to accredited authority, 
having accidentally rubbed their eyes with the juice, became blind- 
ed, and ran about like distracted men, and some of them finally lost 
their sight. The famous Manchineel tree, Hippomane 3Iancindla^ is 
said to be so poisonous that persons have died from merely sleeping 
beneath its branches. This is doubted by Jacquin, who, however, 
admits its extremely venomous qualities ; but it is by no means im- 
probable that the remark has some foundation in truth, particularly 
if the volatile nature of the poisonous principle of these plants be 
considered. The juice of Hura crepitans is stated to be of the same 
fatal nature as that of Exccccaria — its seeds are said to have been 
administered to negro slaves as purgatives, in numbers not exceeding 
one or two, with fatal consequences. The powdered fruit o{ HycEn- 
anche globosa is used in the colony of the Cape of Good Hope to poi- 
son hysenas, as nux vomica to poison stray dogs in this country. 
