98 A COMPENDIUM OF 
caution in buying; the two are almost identical 
in size, color and taste, the cohosh having larger 
_ pith rays and somewhat oval in shape. The 
black Hellebore root contains resin, fat, starch 
and two active principles called Helleborin and 
Helleborein, both of which are considered glu- 
cosides, the former of which is said to predom- 
inate. Hellebore root and its preparations have 
been given as a diuretic, cathartic and emmen- 
agogue in doses of 5 to 30 grains (o.3 to 1 gram), 
and is still kept in some of the stores in form of 
tincture and extract, but rarely prescribed, and 
not recognized as officinal. Hellebore was a 
medicine known in the early history of the 
world’s great cities; it was called Melampodium 
in honor of Melampus, an ancient physician, 
who performed some wonderful cures, and, it is 
told by some historians that Cyrus captured the 
City of Babylon by poisoning the river Eu- 
phrates with the plant. The name comes from 
two Greek words, helion, to kill or overcome, 
and dora, food. The other species are the Hel- 
leborus Foetidus and Helleborus Viridis. As 
none of the three varieties contain tannin or 
gallic acid its preparations can be distinguished 
from those of the Cimicifugee by the simple 
chemical test of adding some iron salt. ; 
Hydrastis, Hydrastis, Hydrastis Canadensis. 
—Natural order Ranunculaceze, Common names 
Golden Seal, Yellow Root, Orange Root and Yel- 
low Puccoon Root. The latter name is derived 
from the American Indians, who use it as a yel- 
low paint or stain. This plant.is a perennial, 
and has erect hairy stems, sometimes numbering 
five or six, which arise to the height of 6 to 12 
