EMP

35t

ELATERII PEPONES. L.E.D.

(Momordica Elaterium.)

Wild, or Squirting Cucumber.

This plant appears fiom the testimony of Dioscorides and othee wri-ters, to have been employed by the ancient physicians with much confi-dence and success All the parts of the plants were considered as pur-gative, although not in an equal degree ; thus Geoffrey, " radicum viscathartica major est quamfo/iorum, minor vero quun jructuum " Thisquestion has very lately been set at rest by thej'idicious experiments ofDr.Clutterbuck,* which prove that the active principle of this plant residesmore particularly in the juice which is lodged in the centre of the fruit,and which spontane"U.-ly -jubsides from it ; when this substance i« freedfrom extraneous matter, it po-sesses very energetic powers, and appearsto me to be entitled to consideration as a distinct proximate principle,which I shall venture to call Elaiin. See Extrac-um Elaterii.

ELEMI. L.D. (Amyris Elemifera. Resina.) Elerni.

This substance is what is generally termed a gum-resin ; that is, a com-pound consisting of gum, resin, and volatile oil : late researches howeverseem to shew that these bodies are compounds of a peculiar character,consisting of a volatile substance, something between essential oil and re-sin, and a constituent which possesses the properties oi extractive ratherthan those of gum.

True Elemi has a fragrant aromatic odour, not unlike that of fennel-seeds, but more potent. Sp gr. 1-0182. VV hen powdered it mixes withany unguent; it also combines with balsams and oils, and by the aid ofheat, with turpentine. Uses. It is only employed for forming the milddigestive ointment which bears its name, viz. Unguent: Elemi comp •' L.D

EMPLASTRA, L.E.D. Plasters.

The principles upon which this form of prepara;ion is to be construct-ed are fully detailed in the first part of this work, p. 213.

Emplastrum Ammowiaci. L. Ammoniacum reduced to a suitable con-sistence by distilled vinegar. It adheres to the skin without irritating it,and without being attended with ^ny unpleasant smell.f There is a pe-culiar disease of the knee, to which servant maids, who scour floors upontheir knees, are liable, and for which this pi ister is a specific I havealso found it particularly eligible incases of delicate women with irritableskins.

Emplastrum Ammoniaci cum Hydrargyro. L.D. The mercury in thisplaster is in the state >f oxidation ad minimum. It is dUcutieut and re-solvent, and is applicable to indurated glands, and \enereal nodes, andfor removing indurations of the periosteum, remaining after a course ofmercury ; the addi.ion of the ammoniacum increases the stimulating anddiscutient powers of the mercury, which gives this plaster a superiorityover the Emplastrum Hydrargyri. It is also powerfully adhesive.

Emplastrum Assafostid.e. fc. Emplast. Plumbiand Assafoetida, of each

* See London Medical Repository, Vol. xii. No. 67.

t A person of the name of Stekry, in the Borough, prepares a plaster of this de-scription, which is sought after with great avidity. \v hat a blessing it would be uponthe community, if every nostrum were equally innocuous .'

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