STAPHISAGRIA
\stˌafɪsˈaɡɹi͡ə], \stˌafɪsˈaɡɹiə], \s_t_ˌa_f_ɪ_s_ˈa_ɡ_ɹ_iə]\
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Purgative obtained from stavesacre seeds.
By William R. Warner
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The Delphinium Staphisagria, or stavesacre, a plant of the Ranunculaceae. The seed (S., U. S., Staphisagriae semina, B. P.) contains the alkaloids Delphinine, C22 H35NO6, Delphinoidine, C42H68N2O7, Delphisine, C27H46N2O4, and Staphisagrine, C22H33NO5, and is used locally in scabies and to destroy lice. Unguentum staphisagriae, B. P., represents 20 percent. of s. Delphinine is applied in the form of ointment to relieve pain in neuralgia and toothache. It is poisonous, causing local irritation, loss of voluntary power, spasms, and fatal coma.
By Alexander Duane
Word of the day
Snake's-head
- Guinea-hen flower; -- so called in England because its spotted petals resemble the scales of a snake's head.