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HELLEBORI FCETIDI FOLIA. L.

(Helleborus Fcetidus). Helleboraster. D,

The Leaves of Foetid Hellebore.

As this plant is merely retained in the list of materia roedica on ac-count of its anthelmintic properties, it might be well dispensed with,since we possess many others which are much more safe, as well as moreefficacious,

HELLEBORI NIGRI RADIX. L.E.D.

The Root of Black Hellebore. Melampodium.*

Christmas Rose.

Qualities. The fibres of the root are the parts employed; they areabout the thickness of a straw, corrugated, externally of a deep dark co-lour, hence the epithet black ; internally white, or of a yellowish hue.Odour, unpleasant; Taste, bitter and acrid. Chemical Composition.An analysis of this root has lately been effected by M. M. Feneulle andCapron, from which it appears that its active principle, unlike that of thewhite Hellebore {Veratrwn) is not an alkali, the following substances enterinto its composition, viz. 1- A Volatile Oil.—2. A Fatty matter.— 'J. AResin.—4. Wax.—5. A Volatile Acid.— 6. A bitter principle.—7. Mu-cus.—8. Alumina.—9. Gallate of Potass.—10. Acidulous Gallate ofLime—11. A Salt, with an Ammoniacal base. Solubility. Both waterand alcohol extract its virtues, but the spirituous solution is the most ac-tive ; long coction diminishes its powers, hence the watery extract actsmore mildly than the root. Medicinal Uses. This is one of the mostancient articles of the materia medica. Ctesias, who lived in the time ofPlato, and anterior to Hippocrates, speaks of it as a medicine of import-ant virtues. By the Greek and Roman physicians it was highly esteem-ed as a remedy in Mania, (see page 8.) The extraordinary cures per-formed at the island of Anticyrus, famous for its Hellebore, are celebrat-ed by the poets and historians of antiquity. It is a drastic cathartic, andmay prove therefore emmenagogue, and hydragogue, but in this country,its reputation has been destroyed by the decided manner in which Dr.Cullen reprobated its use. Forms of Exhibition. It is seldom given insubtance, but in the form of tincture or extract; or in that of decoction,made with two drachms of the root to a pint of water. Dose of the pow-dered root, grs. x to 9j ; of the decoction, f3j. Officinal Prepara-tions. Tinct. Hellebori Nigri. L.E.D. Extraction Hellebori JVigri. E.D. Adulterations. The roots of the poisonous aconites are often

* Matthew's Fills.—Starkey's Pills. Of the Roots of Black Hellebore, Li-quorice, and Turmeric, equal parts, purified Opium, Castille Soap, and Syrup of Saf-fron, the same quantity, made into pills with Oil of Turpentine.

Backer's Tonic Pills. These are composed of equal parts of the Extract ofHel-lebore, and Myrrh |j, with 3|ij of powdered Carduus Benedictus : which are madeinto a mass, and divided into pills, each weighing one grain; from two to six of whichmay be given three times every day. according to the effects they produce.

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