115 
1. 123. The 'root of Euphorbia Ipecacuanha is said, by Barton, to be equal 
to the true Ipecacuanha, and in some respects superior ; it is not unpleasant 
either in taste or smell. Barton, 1. 281. Various species of fleshy Euphorbia, 
especially the Euph. antiquorum and canariensis, produce the drug Euphor- 
bium of the shops, which is the inspissated milky juice of such plants. In 
India it is mixed with the oil expressed from the seeds of Sessamum orien- 
tate, and used externall} in rheumatic affections, and internally in cases of 
obstinate constipation. It is little used in Europe. Orfila places it among 
his poisons. Ainslie, 1. 121. Euphorbia papillosa is administered, in Brazil, 
as a purgative ; but is apt, if given in too strong a dose, to cause dangerous 
superpurgations. PI. Usuelles, 18. The juice of the leaves of Euphorbia 
nereifolia is prescribed by the native practitioners of India, internally as a 
purge and deobstment, and externally, mixed with Margosa oil, in such cases 
of contracted limb as are induced by ill-treated rheumatic affections. 
The leaves have, no doubt, a diuretic quality. Ainslie, 2. 98. The leaves and 
seeds of Euphorbia thymifolia are given, by the Tamool doctors of India, in 
worm cases, and in certain bowel affections of children. Ibd. 2. 76. The same 
persons give the fresh juice of Euphorbia pilulifera in aphthous affections. The 
fresh acrid juice of Euphorbia Tirucalli is used in India as a vesicatory. Ih. 
2. 133. The Ethiopians are said, by Virey, to form a mortal poison for their 
arrows from the juice of Euphorbia heptagona. Hist, des Medic. 299. The 
juice of Excsecaria AgaUocha, 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 Rumphius (2. 238.), having accidentally 
rubbed their eyes with the juice, became blinded, and ran about like distracted 
men, and some of them Anally lost their sight. The famous Manchineel tree, 
Hippomane MancineUa, is said to be so poisonous, that persons have died from 
merely sleeping beneath its shade. This is doubted, indeed, by Jacquin, who, 
however, admits its extremely venomous qualities ; but it is by no means im- 
probable that the story has some foundation in truth, particularly if, as Ad. de 
Jussieu truly remarks, the volatile nature of the poisonous principle of these 
plants is considered. The juice of Hura crepitans is stated to be of the same 
fatal nature as that of Excsecaria ; its seeds are said to have been administered 
to negro slaves as purgatives, in number not exceeding 1 or 2, with fatal con- 
sequences. Ad. de J. The powdered fruit of Hysenanche globosa is used in 
the colony of the Cape of Good Hope to poison hysenas, as nux vomica to poi- 
son stray dogs in Europe. From the seeds of Jatropha glauca the Hindoos 
prepare, by careful expression, an oil which, from its stimulating quality, they 
recommend as an external application in cases of chronic rheumatism and pa- 
ralytic affections. Ainslie, 2. 6. The seeds of Jatropha Curcas are purgative 
and occasionally emetic ; an expressed oil is obtained from them, which is 
reckoned a valuable external application in itch and herpes ; it is also used, a 
little diluted, in chronic rheumatism. The varnish used by the Chinese for 
covering boxes is made by boiling this oil with oxide of iron. The leaves are 
considered as rubefacient and discutient ; the milky juice is supposed to have 
a detergent and healing quality, and dyes linen black. Ihid. 2. 46. The 
roots of the Jatropha Manihot, or Mandiocca, yield a flour (Cassava) of im- 
mense importance in South America : this is obtained by crushing the roots, 
after the bark has been removed, and then straining off the water ; after which 
the mass is gradually dried in pans over a fire. Tapioca is a preparation of 
the same root. The seeds of several species of Jatropha are purgative, but 
they sometimes act so dangerously as to require extreme caution in adminis- 
tering them. Mercurialis perennis is purgative and dangerous. According to 
Sloane, it has sometimes produced violent vomiting, incessant diarrhoea, a 
burning heat in the head, a deep and long stupor, convulsions, and even death ; 
