SARDONIUS RISUS, Sardonian Laughter; a convulsive involuntary laughter; thus named from the herb sardonin, which is a species of ranunculus, and is said to produce such convulsive motions in the cheeks as resemble those motions which are observed in the face du-
ring a fit of laughter. This complaint is sometimes exceedingly fatal. If the ranunculus happens to be the cause, the cure must be attempted by means of a vomit, and frequent draughts of hydromel with milk.