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Definition 2024


cathartine

cathartine

English

Noun

cathartine

  1. A hypothetical substance formerly imagined to cause the bitterness and purgativeness of the dried leaves or pods of senna plants.
    • 1822, “The Edinburgh Philosophical Journal, Volume 7”, in (Please provide the title of the work):
      The sulphate of potash insoluble in this fluid, being separated by the filter; the excess of sulphuric acid was precipitated by acetate of lead; then, by decomposing this latter salt, by sulphuretted hydrogen, and again filtering and evaporating to dryness, the Cathartine, or purgative principle of senna, was obtained.
    • 1850, “The Chemical Gazette, Volume 8”, in (Please provide the title of the work):
      In this state this residue has all the properties ascribed to cathartine; but it is easy to be convinced, from the colour and the avidity with which it attracts moisture, that the substance is not pure.

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