OLEUM PALMÆ CHRISTI

OLEUM PALMÆ CHRISTI, commonly called castor oil, is extracted from the kernel of the fruit produced by the Ricinus Americanus. (See RICINUS). This oil has been much used as a purgative in medicine. It acts gently on the bowels, with little or no irritation. By many physicians it has been deemed a sovereign remedy in bilious, calculous, and nephritic complaints; but its taste is extremely nauseous, and, when frequently used, it is apt to relax the tone of the bowels. It is recommended to be given in clysters; and Dr. Canvane of Bath affirms, that when children cannot be made to swallow any medicine, if the navel and hypochondria be rubbed with this oil, it will produce one or two physical stools. He adds, that

given in small draughts, or by clyster, or by embrocation, it is an excellent and wonderful vermifuge.