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

  • Clutterbuck, Henry, 1767-1856
Date:
(8vo)
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

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

    5/10 (page 5)
    In two of them it produced several stools; one was vomited, and was purged on the following day ; one was vomited in half an hour without duce no effect. I gave five grains of a similar preparation, obtained from Apothecaries’ Hall, in fourteen instances. In seven of them it produced no effect; in three it appeared to operate gently by stool. Of the others there was no report. It appears from hence, that the juice, after the fecula, or elaterium has subsided, contains but very little of the active principle ; and that, probably, from the fecula having imper¬ fectly subsided. With regard to the sensible and chemical properties of the fecula, which subsides spontaneously from the juice contained within the cucumber, as above described, and which alone appears to be the true elaterium, I have already observed that it is a light, pulverulent substance, of a very pale green colour, approaching to yellowish white. To the taste it is acrid and bitterish. The juice itself, as it escapes from the cucumber, readily inflames the skin of the fingers; and on getting accidentally into the eye in one instance, it occa¬ sioned severe pain and inflammation, with an erysipelatous swelling of the eyelids, that continued till the following day. The fecula, in the dose of one-eighth of a grain, seldom failed to produce both vomiting and purging, and that often violently. Half this quantity, viz. one-sixteenth of a grain, generally excited considerable purging. From several trials I have made, it appears to operate in little more than half the dose of that obtained from Apothecaries’ Hall; which, how¬ ever, is far more efficacious than what is generally sold in the shops, the quality of which varies extremely. Some speci¬ mens have acted very well in half grain doses; others have produced no effect in the dose of two grains. These are either improperly prepared, or are greatly adulterated. The best and most active I have seen, was some which I obtained from Mr. Parrott, of Mitcham, who for several years raised the plant in his own garden, and prepared the elaterium in large quantity for the Apothecaries’ Company. Much of this medicine, as it is ordinarily met with in the shops, is of a dark green colour, approaching to black : it is likewise compact and heavy, and breaks with a shining resi¬ nous fracture. This is usually prepared by strong pressure of the cucumber, and consists, of course, in great part, of the ordinary juices, as well as the elaterium. It is very uncertain in its operation, and very weak, in comparison with that which has been properly prepared. The quantity is much increased by this mode of preparation ; and hence it is sold at purging ; and in tzvo it appeared to pro-