The oil expressed from the seeds of Croton tiglium (N.O. Euphorbiaceæ).
The seeds, when taken, produce violent pains in the stomach and purging. Pereira has described the case of a man who suffered severely from inhaling the dust of the seeds. The dose of the oil is from half a minim to a minim. Dr. Trail mentions the case of a delicate lady patient who took three drops for a dose without inconvenience. Dr. Adam records a case (Edinburgh Medical Journal, 1856) of a man who, in mistake, drank three drachms of a liniment containing about fifty drops of croton oil. After the most alarming symptoms, the patient ultimately recovered. Two drachms and a half have caused death (Journal de Clinic Médicale, 1839, p. 509). The poisonous properties depend upon the presence of a fatty acid.
A medical friend informed Husband that in Shetland six drops in as many colocynth pills have, in cases there, only produced “a comfortable ‘aisement’ of the bowels.” This is attributed to the dura ilia, resulting from a constant fish diet.
Symptoms.—Pain in the abdomen, vomiting, and purging, followed by exhaustion and collapse. In some cases, when the dose is large, the pain is hot and burning, and may be felt from the mouth downward.
Chemical Analysis.—Separate the oil from the contents of the stomach by means of ether, and then drive off the ether by means of heat. The oil then warmed with nitric acid becomes of a brown colour, and nitrous acid vapours are given off.
COLCHICUM
The poisonous properties of Colchicum autumnale, Meadow Saffron (N.O. Melanthaceæ) reside in an alkaloid Colchicine, chiefly found in the corms, but also present in other parts of the plant. The seeds have caused death.
In June 1875 an epidemic of gastric irritation among the inhabitants of Rione Boego was traced to the use of the milk of goats which had accidentally eaten the leaves of colchicum.
Symptoms.—Colchicum, in medicinal doses, increases the activity of the liver, and bile is freely secreted. The action of the kidneys and of the skin is also increased. The heart is more or less affected, and its frequency diminished. In large doses, all the symptoms of irritant poisoning are present, and in some cases have been likened to those observed in Asiatic cholera.
Post-mortem Appearances.—Death may result from its use without leaving any morbid appearances. In other cases, however, the usual signs of inflammation were present. Casper describes the colour and condition of the blood in those poisoned by colchicum as dark cherry-red, with the consistency of treacle. A marked congestion of the vena cava may also be present.