THE ACTIVE PRINCIPLES OF HELLEBORUS. 
621 
matter, whilst that by benzine remained clear and free from deposit. The specific gra¬ 
vity of these products varied; that from benzine w r as -9325, that by ether -9675, that by 
alcohol - 9850; whilst the commercial sample alluded to as containing ether, was only 
•9000, with a deposit of cubebin in the phial. The trials were at the temperature of 76° 
F. To determine whether the benzinic dregs contained matter soluble in ether, a por¬ 
tion of the latter was poured on the dregs until the absorbed benzine was displaced, 
when the percolation with ether was continued until 1000 grains had passed. It had a 
green colour, and on evaporation yielded a residue of 28 grains, consisting chiefly of 
cubebin, with a little waxy matter and chlorophylle, but no volatile oil, and but little 
pungent resin. Cubebin appears to be but slightly soluble in benzine, and until it be 
settled that it has no medicinal virtue, it will not do to employ benzine as a solvent in 
making oleorcsin of cubebs. 
From these results it is apparent that nearly the whole of the oleoresin is removed in 
the first percolate, and that 1000 grains measures of ether in the second only produced 
one-fourteenth as much of oleoresin. As this applies equally to all, it points to the 
propriety of stopping the percolation earlier, and sacrificing the little oleoresin left in 
the dregs .—American Journal of Pharmacy. 
THE ACTIVE PRINCIPLES OF HELLEBORUS. 
The physiological experiments hitherto instituted with hellebore and its various pre¬ 
parations, have only been made on animals, and as it appears, up to within a few years 
ago, with much uncertainty as to the species employed by the experimenters. Ihe older 
statements probably refer all to Hclleborus viridis. Vulpian, Koellikcr, Pelikan, and 
others, assume an immediate tendency to the heart, Schroff also an irritating narcotic 
action. Marine and Husemann, who have lately separated several proximate principles 
of H. viridus, niger and foctidus, make the subjoined statements with reference to the 
physiological action of those principles. 
The root and lower leaves of the three species named contain originally two non¬ 
volatile active principles, of the nature of glucosides, to which the authors have given 
the names helleborein and helleborin; in addition II. feetidus probably also contains a 
third volatile principle. The two substances named act as poisons on all animals, and 
presumptively, on man ; while the product of their decomposition by acids are without 
any effect on the animal organism. The so-called oil of hellebore described by Feneulle 
and Capron, when freed from those glucosides, may be taken in considerable doses 
without untoward effects. It is remarkable that the helleborein from the green species 
is much more active than that of II. niger , and probably of Id. foctidus. This substance 
shows a characteristic indifference to chemical agents, alkalies, or ferments,, but is 
readily soluble, and for both reasons, easily absorbed, with a decided local action, al¬ 
though not an irritating one on the epidermis; on the other hand, it strongly nritutes 
mucous membranes. The conjunctiva, when it is applied, reddens, swells witn enlarged 
secretion, and, indirectly, enlargement of the pupil. On the mucous membrane or the 
nasal canal it causes sneezing, but not to the same degree with vcratria. a he salivary 
glands are excited by it, not only upon direct application, but also when it enters the 
general circulation. Small doses produce no effect on the stomach, but when accumu¬ 
lated they cause loss of appetite, nausea, even to emesis, pain, enlarged secretion, and 
gastro-enteritis. The kidneys likewise experience a stimulating effect, and the female 
genitalia are also affected. Very small doses act on the heart very much in the manner 
of digitalin, retarding the circulation, while in large doses it accelerates the same, often 
to fatal rapidity. There may also exist both gradual paralysis and convulsion. 
The other glucoside, helleborin, is less soluble in water, but a more active poison when 
given in small doses, though less irritating to the mucous membrane. Its action on the 
tongue is similar to that of aconite. The nervous system is peculiarly affected by this 
substance. In measure with the dose and the susceptibility of the animal, it caused a 
treater or less degree of nervous excitement, beginning with accelerated breathing, great 
unrest, tension and trembling of the muscles, great depression, uncertain movements, 
then retardation of breathing and pulsation, irritability of the nerves of the periphery, 
strong enlargement of the pupil, the acoustic nerve insensible, finally almost complete 
