100 
plot's >?atueal history. 
[BooTc XXV. 
tlie various colours which the matter vomited presents : besides 
which, after the vomiting has subsided, the physician, has to 
pay the greatest attention to the nature of the alvine evacu- 
ations, the due and proper use of the bath, and the general 
regimen adopted by the patient ; all of them inconveniences 
in themselves, and preceded by the terrors naturally inspired 
by the character of the drug ; for one story is, that it has the 
property of consuming flesh, if boiled with it. 
The great error, ho wever, on the part of the ancients was, 
that in consequence of these fears, they used to give it too 
sparingly, the fact being, that the larger the dose, the more 
speedily it passes through the body. Themison used to give 
no more than two drachmae, but at a later period as much as 
four drachmae was administered ; in conformity with the cele- 
brated eulogium passed upon it by Herophilus,^' who was in 
the habit of comparing hellebore to a valiant general, and 
saying, that after it has set in motion all within, it is the 
jQirst to sally forth and show the way. In addition to these 
particulars, there has been a singular discovery made : the 
hellebore which, as we have already stated, has been cut with 
a small pair of scissors, is passed through a sieve, upon which 
the pith makes its way through, while the outer coat remains 
behind. The latter acts as a purgative, while the former is 
used for the purpose of arresting vomiting when that evacuation 
is in excess, 
CHAP. 24. EIGHTY-EIGHT OBSERVATIOI^^S UPON THE TWO KINDS 
OF HELLEBOEE. 
In order to secure a beneficial result, due precautions must 
be taken not to administer hellebore in cloudy weather ; for if 
given at such a time, it is sure to be productive of excruciating 
agonies. Indeed there is no doubt that summer is a better 
time for giving it than winter : the body too, by an abstinence 
from wine, must be prepared for it seven days previously, 
emetics being taken on the fourth and third days before, and 
Fee remarks, that they showed their wisdom in this. 
^"^ Herophilus, it must be remembered, lived a considerable time before 
Themison. 
3 8 u Forficulis.'' He probably refers to c. 21, where, however, he has 
mentioned only a needle — " acus." It is possibly a lapsus memorw on 
his part. 
