Snuhi.

SNUHI.

Synonyms: - Samantadugdha, Thohara, Sudha, Nishtrinshapatrika, Sehunda, Shakhakataka.

Latin name: - Euphoria nerrifolia.

Family: - EUPHORBIACEAE.

English: - Common milk fledge, Angular sponge.

Hindi: - Thuhara.

Marathi: - Nivadunga.

Classification: -

According to Ayurved: - Sthavara Vanaspatika Visha.

According to Modern: - Vegetable Irritant poison.

General description: - 1) Small plant upto 20 feet high with jointed, cylindrical branches leaving short horns.

2) Leaves are fleshy, 6-12 inches long.

3) Flowers are yellowish green, 2-7 or often 3 in single spine.

4) Very small fleshy fruits.

5) Seeds are minute.

Varieties: - There are three varieties: -

1)    Euphorbia antiquorum,

2)    Euphorbia nerrifolia,

3)    Euphorbia tirucali.

Charak has mentioned two varities: -                    1) Alpakantaka and 2) Bahukantaka.

Out of these Bahukantaka is considered as of superior quality and is used for medicinal purposes.

Poisonous parts: - All parts specially milk.

Active principles: - Euphorbicea.

Fatal dose: - Milk: - 15-20 ml.

Root powder: - 5-7 gm.

Fatal period: - Uncertain.

Signs and symptoms: - 1) When applied to the skin, produces vescication (blister form).

2) Inflammation involving eyesight when dropped in eyes.

3) If taken internally causes vomiting, diarrhea, burning pain in abdomen.

4) Signs of dehydration.

5) Convulsions ond COMA.

Treatment: - Symptomatic;i.e.; treatment according to general lines. If eyes are involved then wash the eyes with cold water and instill Home Atropine (1%) 3-4 drops tds or qid.

[Home atropine: - Tropine+HCL+Mendelic acid.]

According to Ayurved; locally wash with cold water and then apply sesame oil + coconut oil. If ulcer develop then wash with decoction of tamarind leaves.

If taken internally; cold water + sugar should be given frequently. Also Goghrita is given. If its stick is inserted in uterus; then remove the stick and wash the uterus with tankana jala. If there is excessive bleeding then give injection Methorgin and Kapilin ?(Vit K).

Post-mortem appearances: - 1) Stomach, intestine, oesophagus are congested.

2) Gangrenous patches in the stomach and skin.

Medicolegal aspect: -1) Rarely used as suicidal poison and homicidal poison.

2) Mostly accidental during its use for inducing criminal abortion.