( 1 35 ) 
Scab on the Hands, and cleanfes Sores and Ulcers 
on the Legs, or other Parts. The Spaniards dip 
and poifon their Arrows, wherewith they kill wild 
Beafls, in the fermented Juice of this Root. It kills 
all Animals inftantly, but, being drank, it hurts not. 
Its only Antidote is Quince. The Ancients prepar- 
ed the Root forUfe, by either giving it with a triple 
Quantity of Radifh, or the Radifh was prick’d full 
of this Root, and left twenty-four Hours (licking in 
it ; then they took out, and threw away the Pric- 
kles, and uled the Radifh ; or they infufed the Ra- 
difh prick’d full of it in Oxymel, and then ufed the 
Oxymel ; or they prick’d the Radifh full of it, and 
let it lie all Night ; next Day they pulled out and 
threw away the Prickles, and infufed the Radifh in 
Oxymel, and ufed the Liquor. It is certainly a 
noble Medicine in many of the above Difeafes, if 
rightly prepared and cautioully given. Such fevere 
Medicines, being negledted by Phyficians, fall into 
the Hands of Empyrics, who will be at Pains to 
prepare them, and furnifh them with fome fuccefsful 
Ncftrums , beyond the regular Pradlice ; fome In- 
ftances whereof I have feen. Though this Root is 
jiot a Native of Britain , yet it is now planted and 
thrives well in feveral Gardens, and perhaps being 
naturalized will prove of a milder Nature. Several 
of the leffer wild Sorts are Natives, as our Lady’s- 
SUpper (Helleborine) one with a white Flower , ano- 
ther with a greenijh white Flower , &c. 
I 43* 
Hellebore (black) ( Hellehorus niger ) the Bark 
of the Root Fibres is the only Part ufed. The In- 
fufion, Deco&ion, or Powder, powerfully purge 
melancholy Humours •, hence its Ufefulnefs in Me- 
lancholy, Madnefs, Hypo, Cancer, Swimming of 
the Head, Falling Sicknefs, Apoplexy, Quartans, and 
K 4 Elephantiafis •, 
