CHAP. 23.—TWENTY-THREE REMEDIES DERIVED FROM WHITE
HELLEBORE.
The best white hellebore is that which acts most speedily as
a sternutatory; but it would seem to be a much more formidable
1 plant than the black kind; more particularly if we read
in the ancient authors the precautions used by those about
to take it, against cold shiverings, suffocation, unnatural
drowsiness, continuous hiccup or sneezing, derangements of
the stomach, and vomitings, either retarded or prolonged, too
sparing or in excess. Indeed, it was generally the practice to
administer other substances to promote vomiting, and to carry
off the hellebore by the aid of purgatives or clysters, while
bleeding even was frequently had recourse to. In addition to
all this, however successful the results may prove, the symptoms
by which it is attended are really most alarming, by reason of
the 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 evacuations, 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,
2 however, 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 drachmæ, but at a later period as much as
four drachmæ was administered; in conformity with the cele-
brated eulogium passed upon it by Herophilus,
3 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
first 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,
4 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.