112 AMERICAN HELEBORE. 



.AMERICAN HELEBORE. 



MedicatVroperties and Use. 



This has "been tried by many physicians and 

 has proved a valuable remedy in chronic rheu- 

 matism and gout. It is certainly a powerful 

 emetic when given in large doses, and the effect 

 continues a long time. In over doses it effects 

 the functions of the brain and nervous system_, 

 in a powerful manner producing giddiness, pros- 

 tration of strength, &c. It has arrested the 

 paroxysm of gout and given relief in some un- 

 yielding cases of chronic rheumatism. It re- 

 quires to be given with great caution and under 

 vigilant restrictions. The mode of administra- 

 tion is in the form of a tincture. A saturated 

 tincture is made in wine and 3 parts of this is 

 mixed with 1 of the wine of opium; of this 

 mixture from 15 to 20 drops. In some cases 

 however, 1 drachm of the mixture will be re- 

 quired to give relief, which quantity generally 

 vomits and always gives relief The proper 

 method of preparing this tincture is to macerate 

 8 ounces of the sliced root in 2J pints of span- 



