OLEU

285

stance; and it sometimes also takes this form in the bowels, andpasses oft' in round nodules resembling gall-stones. (Brandk.)

Contains several acids which seem to require investigation. Theyhave been named the ricinie, margaric, elaiodic, oleo-ricinic, andstearo-ricinic acids.

Medicinally it is a valuable mild purgative in cases in which stimulantand irritating cathartics might be injurious, as in cases of pregnancy,internal inflammation, diarrhoea, dysentery, European cholera, leadcolic, nephritis, cysteritis, gonorrhoea, ileus, tsenia, and hystericspasms. It is not to be trusted in obstinate constipation, unlessjoined with other purgatives. It is of great value after surgicaloperations, accidents, &c.; but it ought not to be given whenvomiting might prove hurtful, as it frequently produces troublesomenausea and emesis, in spite of peppermint water and other aromaticswith which it may be combined. Dose Jss to 3JSS.

Exhibited most conveniently by pouring it on a glass of cold water, or,what is preferable, peppermint water or tincture of senna. Someprefer it in form of emulsion, rubbed up with the half of the yolk ofan egg with honey, or with q. s. of gum-arabic mucilage, and anyaromatic water or essential oil; but the emulsion is, I think, by farthe most nauseous to the greater number of patients.

Adulterated most commonly with about a fourth part of oil of almonds,and frequently also with linseed, olive, and poppy oil. All these mayeasily be detected by mixing the suspected oil with alcohol of thespec. grav. of -820, when, if any oil remain undissolved, or if themixture appear milky or turbid, the article is not genuine. It oughtalso to he soluble in sulphuric ether of the spec. grav. of -7563.When the adulteration with other oils is carried to any extent, someof the stronger purgative tinctures that have least colour are addedto keep up the deception. As this may render the medicine improperin many cases, it would be well if practitioners were always to trytheir castor oil with alcohol or ether.

Genuine castor oil is glutinous, thickish, and either without colour, orof a very pale straw-yellow, and quite limpid. It is nauseous to thetaste, with a slight sense of acridness. When not cold drawn it isdeeper coloured, and more irritating as a purgative. This is the casewith all that is brought from the West Indies, and what is preparedin Britain from the seeds, which are usually rancid from keeping.That from the East Indies is the best. When old it becomes dark-coloured and rancid.

A Substitute may be made for castor oil by triturating J-jss of olive oilwith gr. iij of Venetian soap, and gr. ix of extract of jalap.Olkiw RosmABINI. L. E. I). Rosemary Oil. Is procured by distil-