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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    4. The expressed Juice of the Leaves reduced to the consistence of an Extract. This was exhibited in different doses from four to twelve grains, but it had no effect. An extract was made from a decoction of the leaves, but this also, as might be expected, was inert. * 5. The Petals, or Blossoms. These appeared to be altogether inert. It was pretty evident from these trials, that no adequate substitute for the elaterium could be found in the plant, exclusive of the fruit; and therefore I proceeded to examine the different parts of this. It is hardly necessary to observe, that the fruit of the wild cucumber resembles, in its appearance and structure, the common garden cucumber, differing from it merely in point of size. When full-grown, it is from an inch to an inch and a half in length, and of proportionate thickness. The seeds, which when fully ripe are of a black colour, are lodged in a light green pulp, the interstices of which contain from half a dram to a dram of nearly limpid fluid. When the cucumber is in a state of maturity, it contracts with great force upon its contents, forces open the extremity, and suddenly scatters the seeds and juice about, to the distance often of several yards. Hence the name of the squirting cucumber. When the time is near at hand for discharging its contents, the slightest touch will often produce the effect; and when a quantity of the cucumbers, in a nearly ripened state, are carried to a distance in order to subject them to pressure for procuring the elate¬ rium, a great number are sure to burst on the way (more or fewer, according to the degree of ripeness), and the contained juice is consequently lost. In order to discover in which of the parts above mentioned the elaterium, or active principle resides, I separated them carefully from each other for trial. For this purpose I slit open the cucumbers longitudinally, and allowed the clear juice to percolate through a fine sieve. The seeds and pulp were then scooped out from the interior of the cucumber, and allowed to drain through the sieve. They were after¬ wards washed in cold water, separated, and dried. Thus there wer efour different parts for examination; the parenchyma, or body of the cucumber; the seeds; the light pulp surround¬ ing these; and the clear juice lodged in the centre of the fruit. The part first examined was the parenchyma, or body of the cucumber, after the interior parts (the seeds, pulp, and juice,) had been removed. The expressed juice of this part
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