POISONS, POISONOUS SNAKES AND INSECTS, ETC. 391 



small doses, is a valuable auxiliary in all cases of undue action 

 of the nervous and vascular systems, especially in affections 

 of the heart and lungs. The proper dose is five or six 

 grains of the powdered leaves. Given in overdoses, it has 

 sometimes been the cause of death. 



White Hellebore. — This is a virulent poison, very dangerous 

 in the hands of those who are ignorant of its properties. In 

 small doses, it may occasionally be used to advantage, but it . 

 is always to be administered with great cautioik It is a '•^" 



powerful cathartic, and very drastic. In diseases of the lungs, 

 especially in inflammation, it acts with great force upon the 

 pulse, lowering it very rapidly. This proceeds from its pow- 

 erful restraining influences upon the heart, whose throbbing 

 will be stilled forever by a drachm or a drachm- and a half 

 of white hellebore. A half-drachm is a large dose, and onfe- 

 fourth of a drachm is as much as can be given without some 

 hazard. The practitioner should have recourse to this drug 

 only in very extreme cases. 



The prominent symptoms of poisoning from this cause are 

 three : a rapid sinking of the pulse, hanging of the head, and 

 frothing at the mouth. 



The antidote is half a pint of Cayenne pepper tea, with 

 half an ounce of laudanum, or a drachm and a half of 

 opium, in it. 



Black Hellebore. — Like the white hellebore, this seldom 

 grows in our meadows and pastures, and, both being very 

 offensive to the horse, he is in little danger from either ; nor 

 are they often used by our farmers. The black hellebore is 

 not as poisonous as the white, but possesses no properties 

 which can justify its use internally. As an external applica- 

 tion, it has some valuable medicinal qualities, especially as a 

 liniment for old sores, or certain fistular ulcers. For this pur- 

 pose the thick syrup or extract should be taken and mixed 

 with grease, by which means a very active ointment will be 

 formed, of which but a small quantity need be used at once^ 



