774
ELEMENTS OP MATERIA MEDICA.
Pelletier's Analysis.
Euphorbium . 100-0
Braude's Analysis.
43'7 7
Wav .
14-id
4-td
18-^
4-!)0
Sulphates of potash and lime,!and phosphate of lime .J
, 0-70
6 44
5-fiO
too-o°
Euphorbium .
rties
Resin is the active ingredient of euphorbium. It coincides in many of its prop cr ^-with ordinary resins: thus, it is reddish-brown, hard, brittle, fusible, soluble in , a c<, alU |ether, and oil of turpentine, and somewhat less so in oil of almonds. Its leading 1characteristic property is intense acridity. It differs from some resins in being sl'fv .jsoluble only in alkalies. Drs. Buchner and Herberger consider it to be a compound cdresinous substances—one possessing the properties of an acid, the other those of a o
Physiological Effects, (a.) On animals generally. — Euphorhh 11 ^acts on horses and dogs as a powerful acrid substance, irritatinginflaming parts with which it is placed in contact, and by syin] )at ' vj,affecting the nervous system. When swallowed in large quantities*causes gastro-enteritis (two ounces are sufficient to kill a horse) ; lV . .applied to the skin, it acts as a rubefacient and epispastic. Fan' 16sometimes employ it as a substitute for cantharides, for blistering hors 6 ’but cautious and well-informed veterinarians are opposed to its use.
(6.) On man. —The leading effect of euphorbium on man is that omost violent acrid ; but under certain circumstances a narcotic o V erii ft 0has been observed. When euphorbium dust is inhaled, and also apph^ „the face, as in grinding this drug, it causes sneezing, redness and svvelh ^of the face, and great irritation about the eyes and nose. To preventmuch as possible these effects, various contrivances are adopted byferent drug-grinders: some employ masks with glass eyes; others apl •wet sponge to the nose and face ; while some cover the face with crap._The pain and irritation, I am informed, are sometimes very great. I 111 * 1 , tduals who have been exposed for some time to the influence of thissuffer with headache, giddiness, and ultimately become delirious. *the workmen of whom I have inquired (and they comprise those j 1 .large firms, including the one alluded to by Dr. Christison), agree 1 ‘these are the effects of euphorbium. An old labourer assured m e 1 ,. lSthis substance produced in him a feeling of intoxication: and I v \,informed at one drug-mill of an Irish labourer who was made temp oraI ' J , ■,insane by it, and who, during the lit, insisted on saying his prayers attail of the mill-horse.
Insensibility and convulsions have been produced by euphorb 111 ^The only instance, I am acquainted with, is the following:—A man " ,engaged at a mill where euphorbium was being ground, and rem a111 jin the room longer than was considered prudent. Suddenly he dalfrom the mill-room, and ran with great velocity down two pairs s , t£ %.On arriving at the ground-floor or yard he became insensible, aIWithin five minutes I saw him; he was lying on his back, insensi ^and convulsed; his face was red and swollen; his pulse frequentfull; and his skin very hot. I bled him, and within half an hour he ^
came quite sensible, but complained of great headache. He
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