elaterium

/ (ˌɛləˈtɪərɪəm) /

a greenish sediment prepared from the juice of the squirting cucumber, used as a purgative

Word Origin for elaterium

C16: from Latin, from Greek elatērion squirting cucumber, from elatērios purgative, from elaunein to drive

elated, elater, elaterid, elaterin, elaterite, elaterium, elath, elation, elative, elazig, elba

Elaterin is extracted from elaterium by chloroform and then precipitated by ether.

Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 9, Slice 2 |Various
Colocynth and Elaterium have also been proved to act specifically.

The Action of Medicines in the System |Frederick William Headland
Its medicinal action is similar to that of elaterium, differing only in its greater activity.

Cooley's Cyclopdia of Practical Receipts and Collateral Information in the Arts, Manufactures, Professions, and Trades..., Sixth Edition, Volume I |Arnold Cooley
It forms colourless scales which have a bitter taste, but it is highly inadvisable to taste either this substance or elaterium.

Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 9, Slice 2 |Various

Elaterium, a substance obtained from the fruit of the squirting or wild cucumber (Ecballium agreste).

The New Gresham Encyclopedia |Various