Chap. XVII. Of Inspissated Juices.

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This is not properly an inspissated juice, but a depositionfrom the expressed juice. Such depositions have long beencalled Fecula, and the denomination has been confirmed inmodern times. Its application, however, appears to us to betoo extended ; for fecula is applied both to mild and nutri-tious substances, such as starch, and to drastic substances,such as that of which we are now treating. Besides, if it pos-sessed exactly the same chemical properties as starch, it wouldbe converted into a gelatinous mass by the boiling directed bythe Edinburgh college, and would not separate; whereas theboiling is intended to promote the separation.

Common filtration through paper does not succeed here :the grosser parts of the juice, falling to the bottom, form aviscid cake upon the paper, which the liquid cannot passthrough. The separation is to be effected by draining thefluid from the top, by placing one end of some moistenedstripes of woollen cloth, skeins of cotton, or the like, in thejuice, and laying the other end over the edge of the vessel,so as to hang down lower than the surface of the liquor.

Medical use. —Elaterium is a very violent bydragogue ca-thartic. In general, previous to its operation, it excites con-siderable sickness at stomach, and frequently produces severevomiting. It is therefore seldom employed till other reme-dies have been tried in vain. But in some instances ofascites, it will produce a complete evacuation of water, whereother cathartics have had no effect. Two or three grainsare, in general, a sufficient dose, although perhaps the bestmode of exhibiting it is by giving it only to the extent ofhalf a grain at a time, and repeating that dose every hour, tillit begins to operate.

PULPS.

Ed.

PULPARUM EXTRACTIO.

Extraction of Pulps.

Boil unripe pulpy fruits, and ripe ones, if they be dry, in asmall quantity of water, until they become soft; then pressout the pulp through a hair-sieve, and afterwards boil itdown to the consistence of honey, in an earthen vessel,over a gentle fire, taking care to stir the matter continual-ly, to keep it from burning.

The pulp of C assia Jisttdaris is, in like manner, to be boiledout from the bruised pod, and reduced afterwards to a pro-per consistence, by evaporating the water.

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