128 HELLEBORE, AMERICAN. 



Distinctive character Stem quadrangular, not 

 hairy. Leaves opposite, not stalked, lanceolate, about 

 ij inch long and ^ inch broad, with three to five 

 longitudinal veins, and toothed at the margin above 

 the middle. Flowers irregular, singly in the upper 

 axils, pinkish, with five stamens of which only two are 

 fertile. Taste, acrid and bitter. Odour, none. 



The root is cylindrical, brownish yellow, about ^ inch 

 in diameter, with joints -^ inch long, having ovate 

 scales on the joimts, with slender rootlets below. The 

 transverse section shows a porous white bark, and 

 a small, dense, yellowish woody ring, enclosing a com- 

 paratively large pith. Taste, very bitter. Odour, none. 



HELLEBORE, AMERICAN. Veratrum vlride, Sol. 



N.O. Liliacea, 



Syn. Swamp Hellebore, Green Hellebore, Itchweed, 

 Indian Poke. 



Parts used Rhizome, root. 



Action Cardiac depressant. A useful remedy in 

 febrile and inflammatory affections of respiratory organs, 

 and used as a gargle in sore throat. For acute tonsillitis 

 it is an excellent remedy. It relieves irritation of the 

 nervous system, and is of special value in convulsions, 

 mania, neuralgia, and headache. POISON. 



Preparations Powdered root: Dose, 4-10 grains. 

 Fluid extract: Dose, 1-2 drops. Tincture U.S.P. : 

 Dose, 15 drops. 



Distinctive character The rootstock is blackish 

 grey, obconical, 2-3 inches long and f-i^ inch in 

 diameter, tufted above with the scaly remains of stem 

 leaves, internally whitish, with darker wavy lines and 

 dots in the central portion, with numerous yellowish 

 brown shrivelled rootlets, about 8 inches long and inch 

 thick, having a brown nucleus sheath enclosing a fibro- 

 vascular cord. Taste, bitter and very acrid. Odourless, 

 but the powder very irritating to the nostrils. 



