Matheson recommends it as an antispasmodic and has employed it also in
dyspnoea of cardiac origin. I have used it in both these conditions
in Manila with highly satisfactory results. I have found the most
convenient form of administration to be the tincture in doses of
15-40 drops a day given in an infusion of althæa every 3 or 4 hours;
the vehicle should be used liberally as it diminishes the irritant
action of the euphorbia on the stomach. A decoction of 15 grams
of the plant to 2 liters of water may be given in doses of from 6
to 12 tablespoonfuls daily. A proper dose of the alcoholic extract
is 10 centigrams in 24 hours. Dr. Daruty, of Mauritius, gives the
following formula:
_Euphorbia pilulifera_ dried in the shade 30 grams.
Water 1 1/2 liters.
Boil till reduced to 1 liter, cool and add:
Rum or cognac 30 grams.
Dose.--1 wineglassful 3 times a day.
This decoction relieves the most obstinate asthma, as well as cough
and bronchial irritation. It is necessary to use the entire plant. The
decoction is usually given in the morning, fasting, in the middle of
the afternoon and at bedtime. In very stubborn cases another dose
may be given in the middle of the night. Frequently the relief is
immediate and in some cases a liter of the decoction is enough to
effect a cure. If the symptoms return, it is easy to abort them; they
are less distressing and, according to the statements of patients,
the medicine "gives them air."
Dr. Hicks Bunting found, in an analysis of the drug, 60 per cent. of
insoluble residue, wax, "caucho," resin, tannin, sugar, albuminoids,
oxalate of calcium and other salts.
Dr. Marsset states that the active principle is soluble in water, in
dilute alcohol; insoluble in ether, chloroform, bisulphide of carbon,
and turpentine, but does not give the reaction.
The toxic dose is 1 gram of dried plant for each kilogram of weight
of the animal.
Botanical Description.--A small creeping plant with milky juice. Stem
1-2° high, cylindrical, hairy and reddish in color. Leaves opposite,
obliquely ovate, rhomboid, serrate, hairy. Petioles very short. Two
pointed stipules at the base. Flowers yellowish in hemispherical
umbels of 5 divisions, each subdivided in 2. Involucre universal. Calyx
bell-shaped, laciniate, in 5 parts. Corolla, 5 petals, inserted on the
divisions of the calyx, fleshy, orbicular, with an orbicular appendix
at the base, concave and differing from the corolla in color. Stamens
8, inserted on the base of the calyx; filaments unequal in length,
each bearing 2 anthers. Four filaments lacking anthers. Ovary with
stalk longer than the flower, curved downward. Styles 3, bifid. Stigmas
simple. Seed vessels 3, united, hairy, 3-angled, each bearing 1 red
globose seed with a wrinkled surface.
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