Origin. - A neutral principle obtained from elateriam, a substance deposited by the juice of the fruit or Ecballium elaterium L., commonly known as " squirting cucumber," a vine growing in the Mediterranean regions of Europe, Africa, and Asia.

Description and Properties. - Minute, white, hexagonal scales or prismatic crystals, without odor, and having a slightly acrid, bitter taste; permanent in the air; soluble in 4250 parts of water and 337 parts of alcohol.

Dose. - 1/30-1/12 grain (0.002-0.005 Gm.) [1/10 grain (0.005 Gm.), U. S. P.].

Official Preparation

Trituratio Elaterini - Triturationis Elaterini - Trituration of Elaterin. -Dose, about 3/4 grain (0.05 Gm.) [1/2 grain (0.03 Gm.), U. S. P.].

Physiological Action and Therapeutics. - Elaterin is the most powerful hydragogue purgative known.

The drug greatly increases the salivary, gastric, and intestinal secretions, as well as those from the liver and pancreas.

It is a violent purgative, whether given internally or injected subcutaneously, producing abundant watery evacuations attended with much griping pain and great prostration.

Elaterin is indicated where profuse serous discharges are desired, as in cases of congestion of the brain and lungs, ascites, and chronic nephritis.

Contraindications. - The drug is not permissible in inflammatory conditions of the gastro-intestinal tract, nor in pregnancy, and it should be administered with much care, if at all, in heart disease.

Administration. - The drug may be given in pill form, in alcoholic solution, or in the form of the trituration. Elaterin varies greatly in strength, which suggests caution in its use.