CRO′TON OIL

Syn. Oleum croto′nis (B. P.), O. tiglii (Ph. L. & D.), L. The “oil expre ed from the seeds of Croton tiglium” or purging croton. This oil is a drastic purgative, and a powerful local irritant and rubefacient. Rubbed on the skin, it produces a pustular eruption, and frequently purges. In this way (diluted with thrice its weight of olive oil) it is occasionally used as a counter-irritant.— Dose (as a purge), 1 to 2 drops; in obstinate constipation, lead colic, . The residuum from which the oil has been expre ed is sometimes used in veterinary practice under the name of croton cake, or croton farina; but as the amount of oil it contains varies greatly, it is irregular and uncertain in its effects.