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

  • Henry Clutterbuck
Date:
[1819]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

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

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    t especially when employed in the debilitated habits of drop¬ sical subjects, as is frequently the case. , The only sufficient preventive of adulteration, is a reduction of price, as far as is consistent with the goodness of the article; and it appeared to me an object of some importance to inquire, whether, by any change in the mode of preparation, such a reduction could be effected ? This, it is clear, could only be expected from a previous determination of the seat of the active principle in the plant, as preparatory to the best mode of extracting it. With this view, I submitted to separate examination the various parts of the plant, — the root, leaves, and stalks, as well as the flowers and fruit; and I think have obtained in a great measure the object which I was in search of. Before observing upon what had been already done on the subject, I shall briefly relate the result of my own trials. Several of the entire plants, with the fruit or cucumbers in a state of maturity, being procured, I submitted each part in turn to trial, in order to ascertain its effects. 1. The Root. The root being carefully dried and reduced to powder, five grains of this were exhibited to thirteen adult individuals, of different ages, and labouring under different diseases. This quantity produced no sensible effect. The dose was after¬ wards increased to ten grains, but equally without effect. I then gave twenty grains in nine cases; in four of which it produced no effect—one, a boy, of fourteen, it purged four or five times. The others were purged in a somewhat less degree. As my object was not so much to inquire into the relatkve powers of the different parts of the plant, as whether they could be substituted in small quantities for the elaterium itself, the subject was not pursued further in this direction. 2. The Leaves. The leaves were carefully dried and reduced to powrder. After exhibiting several smaller doses without effect, I gave ten grains to as many different individuals; and the result was as follows : — In Jive of the cases, no effect was produced. ^In two, the medicine occasioned five or six stools. In two others, only one. And in one instance it produced no effect till the following day, .when the patient was purged violently several times. 3. The Stalks. When these were exhibited free from the leaves, and in similar doses, no decided effect followed.