Water . . • 
Extractive . . 
Fecula . . . 
Gluten . . . 
Woody matter . 
Elatin 1 
Bitter principle i 
•4 
2-6 
2*8 
2*5 
1-2 
10 grains. 
Dr. Paris further remarks, 
“That the whole of the elatin does not separate itself from its native juice by spontaneous subsidence, and that on this account 
the supernatant liquor possesses some powers as a cathartic. We cannot be surprised, therefore, that the elaterium of commerce 
should be a very variable and uncertain medicine; for, independently of the great temptation which its high price holds out for 
adulterating it, which is frequently done with starch, it necessarily follows, that where the active principle of a compound bears 
so small a proportion to its bulk, it is liable to be affected by the slightest variation in the process for its preparation, and even 
by the temperature of the season ; where pressure is used for obtaining the juices, a greater or less quantity of the inactive parts 
of the cucumber will be mixed with the elatin, in proportion to the extent of such pressure, and the elaterium will, of course, 
be proportionally weak. There is one curious result obtained in my experiments which deserves notice, viz. that there is a bit- 
ter principle in the elaterium, very distinct from its extractive matter, and totally unconnected with its activity, for I diluted the 
solution obtained in experiment G, and swallowed it, but it produced upon me no effect, except that which I generally experience 
upon taking a powerful bitter — an increased appetite; and yet notwithstanding this fact, when in combination with elatin, it is 
far from being inert, since this body is considerably quickened by its presence.” 
Mr. Barry has made some trials on the elaterium prepared according to the process of Dr. Clutterbuck, 
and found that out of ten grains of the first sample, 5'5 were soluble in spirit of the specific gravity of 809 ; 
of the second 6-2; and of the third 6-4; of that prepared by the same process at Apothecaries’ Hall, six 
grains were soluble. The residue, insoluble in the spirit, was administered to a patient, and ascertained to 
be perfectly inert. 
“Mention is made, by Bergius, of two kinds of elaterium, the white and the black. The white is prepared from the juice 
that flows without pressure from the fruit simply cut ; open. The juice is suffered to form a deposit, which is dried by the heat 
of the sun. It seems to be the precise substance which I have described above. Bergius says, it is dissolved by digestion in 
water, but this appears to be a mistake. 
“The hhck elaterium is prepared from the expressed juice of the cucumber altogether, and of course contains a great deal of 
extractive and colouring matter along with the real elaterium. This black preparation, instead of being light and pulverulent, 
is said to be heavy and glutinous when masticated, and sticks to the teeth; it is irritating to the fauces. It dissolves in consider- 
able proportion in water, but only partially in spirit. It is also deliquescent in some degree. The white is more resinous, the 
black gummy, in its properties. 
“ The mode of preparing the elaterium in different pharmacopoeias is far from uniform, aud the medicine varies accordingly, 
independent of adulteration. According as more or less pressure is used, the medicine will approach to the black or white species, 
described above. It appears, from the account I have given, that pressure is not at all necessary in order to obtain the elaterium, 
and can only serve to deteriorate its quality, and render the dose uncertain. It is in this way that I account for the large doses 
prescribed by some writers, without any caution. Sydenham recommends two grain doses without reserve ; and Woodville ex- 
tends the dose from "half a grain to three grains. These quantities, where the medicine is in the most active form, would, I 
think, be often attended with danger. 
“The method recommended by the London College, and which is strictly followed at Apothecaries’ Hall, is the least ob- 
jectionable, as it directs only the slightest pressure to be made use of. It is, however liable to objection in other respects, from 
it not having been known that the elaterium resides exclusively in the juice lodged in the hollow of the cucumber. Hence this 
has been often wasted and’ lost. Another source of waste, and that to a great amount, is the bursting of many of the cucumbers 
during their removal from the country. 
“ I have obtained the greatest quantity of the medicine by the following method : — 
“ The cucumbers should be gathered when nearly as ripe as possible, and without violence, that might endanger their 
bursting.* They should then be wetted by the affusion of cold water, that less of the juice when they are cut may adhere to the 
external surface. In this state they should be cut through longitudinally, and the juice allowed to strain through a fine sieve. 
* The Dublin College directs them to be gathered before they are ripe ; by this means the chance of bursting is avoided ; but it is 
a question whether the medicine is equally active as at a later period. 
