246 
ACTIVE  PRINCIPLES  OF  HELLEBORUS. 
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  or- 
ganism. 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  H.  niger,  and  probably  of  H.  foetidus.  This  sub- 
stance shows  a  characteristic  indifference  to  chemical  agents,  al- 
kalies, or  ferments,  but  is  readily  soluble,  and  for  both  reasons, 
easily  absorbed,  with  a  decided  local  action,  although  not  an  ir- 
ritating one  on  the  epidermis  ;  on  the  other  hand,  it  strongly  ir- 
ritates mucous  membranes.  The  conjunctiva,  when  it  is  applied, 
reddens,  swells  with  enlarged  secretion,  and,  indirectly,  enlarge- 
ment of  the  pupil.  On  the  mucous  membrane  of  the  nasal  canal 
it  causes  sneezing,  but  not  to  the  same  degree  with  veratria.  The 
salivary  glands  are  excited  by  it,  not  only  upon  direct  application, 
but  also  when  it  enters  the  general  circulation.  Small  doses  pro- 
duce no  effect  on  the  stomach,  but  when  accumulated  they  cause 
loss  of  appetite,  nausea,  even  to  emesis,  pain,  enlarged  secretion, 
and  gastro-enteritis.  The  kidneys  likewise  experience  a  stimu- 
lating effect,  and  the  female  genitalia  are  also  affected.  Very 
small  doses  act  on  the  heart  very  much  in  the  manner  of  digita- 
lin,  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  irritat- 
ing to  the  mucous  membrane.  Its  action  on  the  tongue  is  simi- 
lar to  that  of  aconite.  The  nervous  system  is  peculiarly  affected 
by  this  substance.  In  measure  with  the  dose  and  the  suscepti- 
bility of  the  animal,  it  caused  a  greater  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,  irrita- 
bility of  the  nerves  of  the  periphery,  strong  enlargement  of  the 
pupil,  the  acoustic  nerve  insensible,  finally  almost  complete  an- 
aesthesia, also  strong  hyperemia  of  the  brain  and  spinal  marrow, 
