croton oil

American  

noun

1. a brownish-yellow oil, expressed from the seeds of the croton, Croton tiglium, that is a drastic purgative and counterirritant.

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croton oil British  

noun

1. a yellowish-brown oil obtained from the plant Croton tiglium, formerly used as a drastic purgative See also croton

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Etymology

Origin of croton oil

First recorded in 1870–75

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

croton oil

This was a hardy sexagenarian named George Heis, for whom the only consequences of a late evening snack of beer, pancakes, spinach, arsenic and croton oil, prepared by Mrs. Hahn, was partial paralysis and indigestion.

From Time Magazine Archive

The maximum dose of croton oil is two minims, one-fourth of that quantity being usually ample.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 7, Slice 7 "Crocoite" to "Cuba" by Various

Thus, we will say, for example, 1 was jalap; 2, calomel; 3, croton oil; and 4, quinine.

From West African studies by Kingsley, Mary Henrietta

The bowels should be thoroughly opened by calomel, croton oil, or Henry's solution, and a light milk diet given.

From Manual of Surgery Volume Second: Extremities—Head—Neck. Sixth Edition. by Miles, Alexander

The destruction of the true skin gives rise to ugly scars which constitute, together with the pain caused by this application, abundant reason why croton oil should never be employed externally.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 7, Slice 7 "Crocoite" to "Cuba" by Various