Glass bottle with a glass stopper that is covered with a piece of leather. Thick orange liquid inside. Printed label reads "Castor oil". Second label has printed company name "Twinberrow Pharmaceutical Operative Chemist." Castor oil (castor is a Latin for beaver - before it was discovered in plants, castor oil was extracted from beavers groin) is a vegetable oil obtained from the castor bean (technically castor seed as the castor plant, Ricinus communis (Euphorbiaceae), is not a member of the bean family). Castor oil is a colorless to very pale yellow liquid with mild or no odor or taste. Savory 1836, p. 22:
“Castor Oil – Cold drawn. – This oil is a valuable aperient; for whilst, in doses of from half an ounce to an ounce, it thoroughly evacuates the bowels, it does so with little irritation; hence it is especially useful in inflammatory cases, or where there is spasm, or where all increased action of the system is particularly to be avoided. (…) One disadvantage attending the use of this oil is its tendency to excite vomiting, but this is counteracted by combining it with some aromatic. (…) Upon the whole, castor oil is a purgative of great value, and one whose operation, as it is in daily use, should be well understood.” (Other uses listed: colica pictonum (painter’s colic), Devonshire colic, dry bellyache, calculous affections, tape-worm)