Editing Euphorbia (section)

=== Irritants ===
The milky sap of spurges (called "latex") evolved as a deterrent to [[herbivore]]s. It is white, and transparent when dry, except in ''[[Euphorbia abdelkuri|E. abdelkuri]]'', where it is yellow. The pressurized sap seeps from the slightest wound and congeals after a few minutes in air. The skin-irritating and caustic effects are largely caused by varying amounts of [[diterpene]]s. [[Triterpene]]s such as [[betulin]] and corresponding [[ester]]s are other major components of the latex.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.euphorbia.de/res_liste.htm|title=Research into euphorbia latex and irritant ingredients|last=Hodgkiss|first=RJ|website=www.euphorbia.de|access-date=2 Nov 2013}}</ref> In contact with mucous membranes (eyes, nose, mouth), the latex can produce extremely painful [[inflammation]]. The sap has also been known to cause mild to extreme Keratouveitis, which affects vision.<ref name=basak/> Therefore, spurges should be handled with caution and kept away from children and pets. Wearing eye protection while working in close contact with ''Euphorbia'' is advised.<ref name=basak>{{Cite journal|last1=Basak |first1=Samar K. |last2=Bakshi |first2=Partho K. |last3=Basu |first3=Sabitabrata |last4=Basak |first4=Soham |date=2009 |title=Keratouveitis caused by Euphorbia plant sap |journal=Indian Journal of Ophthalmology|volume=57|issue=4 |pages=311–313 |doi=10.4103/0301-4738.53060 |issn=0301-4738 |pmc=2712704 |pmid=19574703 |doi-access=free }}</ref> Latex on skin should be washed off immediately and thoroughly. Congealed latex is insoluble in water, but can be removed with an emulsifier such as milk or soap. A physician should be consulted if inflammation occurs, as severe eye damage including permanent blindness may result from exposure to the sap.<ref>{{cite journal|vauthors=Eke T, Al-Husainy S, Raynor MK|year=2000 |title=The spectrum of ocular inflammation caused by ''Euphorbia'' plant sap |journal=[[JAMA Ophthalmology|Arch. Ophthalmol.]] |volume=118|issue=1|pages=13–16 |doi=10.1001/archopht.118.1.13 |pmid=10636407 |doi-access=free}}</ref>

The poisonous qualities were well known: in the Ethiopian ''[[Kebra Nagast]]'', the serpent king [[Arwe]] is killed with juice from the ''Euphorbia''.<ref name=manzo>{{cite journal |url=https://journals.sub.uni-hamburg.de/aethiopica/article/view/737/823 |title=Snakes and Sacrifices: Tentative Insights into the Pre-Christian Ethiopian Religion |journal=[[Aethiopica]] |volume=17 |year=2014 |pages=7–24 |issn=2194-4024 |first=Andrea |last=Manzo|doi=10.15460/aethiopica.17.1.737 |doi-access=free }}</ref>