AND PHAR3IAC0PCE1A. 493 



inflammation of tlie stomach, and convulsions. The root of 

 this plant, particularly of white hellebore, is extremely acrimo- 

 nious; for if wounded while fresh it emits a juice capable of 

 blistering the skin. 



Powdered white hellebore is often employed as an ingredient 

 in blisters. It is used also in ointments for the mange, and 

 other cutaneous diseases. A decoction of white hellebore is 

 frequently used for the same purpose ; but other medicines are 

 generally added to it ; as sulpliur vivum, turpentine, Avhite vitriol, 

 or alum. Hellebore has been tried, as an internal remedy, in 

 the small dose of half a drachm, and has been declared to be a 

 dansrerous medicine. 



However, I have lately had an opportunity of trying the effect 

 of wdiite hellebore, and did not find it so violent or so danger- 

 ous as it was said to be, after an experiment made at the Ve- 

 terinary College. To a glandered horse I gave half an ounce 

 of the powder of white hellebore, expecting it would destroy 

 him, but it produced no effect ; an ounce was then given, which 

 caused an appearance of sickness, and a copious discharge of 

 saliva from the mouth. It was given afterwards to several 

 horses ; and was uniformly found in the dose of half an ounce, 

 given daily, to produce the effect above described. In some, the 

 first dose caused an appearance of sickness and salivation ; others 

 took several doses before any effect was observed. It was given 

 daily in a case of farcy, in the dose of half an ounce, and the 

 horse got well : no other remedy was employed except blisters. 

 In none of the experiments did it cause any dangerous symp- 

 toms, but it certainly caused a very painful sensation in the 

 stomach. (See Cathartics, remarks on.) The general effect 

 of hellebore is nauseating, by which it lowers the action of the 

 heart very considerably, and may, therefore, be advantageously 

 employed in inflammatory diseases.* This, however, has been 

 denied by some veterinarians. 



Black hellebore is seldom used in horse medicine. Sticks of 

 black hellebore are sometimes inserted under the skin, particu- 

 larly in cattle, in order to i)roduce an issue. [Black hellebore 

 has also been used by Mr. Stanley of Banbury, for poll evil, 

 and fistulous withers. The mode of applying it may be found 

 under these diseases — Ed.] 



HEMLOCK. — Coniiim Maculatum. This is an indisrenous 

 plant, glowing generally in moist shady places, and flowering 

 in June and July. It is a strong narcotic ; but supposed 

 to be, on some occasions, an useful medicine, possessing, like 



* White liellebore, in scruple doses, is strongly recommended by Mr. Per- 

 civall for inflammation of the lungs, and by the late Mr. John Field for 

 pleurisy. It may be repeated two or three times a day, but requires careful 

 watching. — Ed. 



