Observations on the nature and preparation of the elaterium / [Henry Clutterbuck].

  • Clutterbuck, Henry, 1767-1856
Date:
(8vo)
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Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Observations on the nature and preparation of the elaterium / [Henry Clutterbuck]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    kD * ■m was reduced to the form of extract. Of this two grains were given in ten different instances; in eight of them, no effect followed. One was vomited and purged briskly, and had headach. Another was purged several times on the follow¬ ing day. Eight grains of the same extract were then given in four cases. In two only it produced sickness and purging. 3. A quantity of the bodies of the cucumbers, freed from the juice and seeds as before, was dried and powdered. This powder was exhibited in different doses, from five to ten grains each—it produced no effect, except in one of ten instances, and this was equivocal. 3. The seedst after washing in cold water, were dried and powdered. Twenty grains of these produced no effect; this might have been expected, indeed, for mice are observed to eat the seeds greedily. 4. The light pulp immediately surrounding the seeds was washed in cold water, and then dried. It assumed a gummy appearance. This likewise was inert, in doses of two and three grains. It appears sufficiently from these trials, that the most active principle belonging to this plant, is neither lodged in the roots, leaves, dowers, nor stalks, in any considerable quantity; nor is it to be found in the body of the fruit itself, or in the seeds contained within it: it was only in the juice around the seeds, therefore, that it could be looked for; and here it will be found, as is evident from the following trials. This juice, as it. first issues, without pressure, appears perfectly limpid and colourless. After it has stood for a short time, it becomes turbid; and after some hours it slowly deposits a sediment, which, being collected and gently dried, without much exposure to light, is of a yellowish white colour, slightly tinged with green. When dried, it is very light and pulverulent. This is the real elaterium, and it is extremely active as a medicine; an eighth part of a grain seldom failing to purge violently, and often with vomiting previously. The quantity contained in the cucumber is exceedingly small. From forty cucumbers I obtained only six grains; so that a single cucumber contains about an ordinary dose. Half a bushel, charged at half a guinea in the market, furnished less than two drams of elaterium ; hence we cannot wonder at the high price it bears in the shops. This, however, is unne¬ cessarily enhanced by the mode of preparation, and its not being known distinctly in what part the active principle is lodged. The juice, after the elaterium had subsided, was evaporated to an extract. Two grains of this were given in six cases.