A mid 19th century French Apothecary container for Euphorbia Lathyris with gold leaf surrounds. The plant is, cathartic, emetic and purgative. The rubefacient action of the leaves was employed by beggars to raise unsightly sores on their skins to elicit pity and thereby obtain more money. French country folk  took it as a purgative. One seed capsule is said to cause catharsis, several to cause an abortion. It is a folk remedy for cancer, corns, diarrhea, gangrene, melanoma and skin ailments. The seeds have been used for erysipelas, paralysis, and rheumatism. The fresh seed actually has an antitumor action, effective against acute lymphocytic and granulocytic leukaemia. Overdose can result in dilated pupils and collapse, arrhythmias and delirium. Dimensions: height 200 mm max diameter 88 mm