VEIIATRUM ALBUM (White Hellehore)—Mediral Properties of Of this, two varieties or distinct species, are : one termed V.
album ; the other V. album V. or Lobelianum. This last prefers a chalky soil ; the plants occur in the meadows of the Swiss Alps, the Pyrenees, the mountains of Austria, and in Siberia. The rhizomes of both kinds are collected indiscriminately. This part occurs single, double, or many-headed, in cylinders, or pyramidal pieces, from two to fohr inches long, and from three-quarters to two inches thick. rough, wrinkled, of a grayish-black colour externally, but of a yellowish-white within. Some root-fibres, intermingled with slender flexible radicles, adhere to it ; and on the upper part are found the scales, or withered remains of former leaves, which from their tunicated appearance have led some writers to describe it as a bulb. This, though incorrect, is useful to remember, as a good discriminative mark between it and other plants confounded with it, which, being routs and not /him-mato, are devoid of this character. A transverse section presents a large central portion, sometimes termed the medulla; and, according to the age of the specimen, one, two, or more external circles, bounded by the dark brown epidermis. The rhizome is nearly devoid of odour, but has an acrid, bitter, burning taste. It is easily powdered, but the person engaged in powdering it should wear a mask, m it excites a heat and eruption of the skin, and any drawn up the nostrils causes violent sneezing and inflammation of the Schneiderian membrane : hence its German name of nieawurzd. By time the acridity and activity are diminished, so that old specimens become not only mouldy, but of inferior strength, and should be rejected.
Veratria, called also Sabadillin, is procured from the seeds of Asegrira officinal's (Lindley, Ilelonias offidnalis Don) and the Vera tram Sobudilla, Retz, as well as probably other seeds of Melanthaceer.
Verotruns is used in America as a substitute for V. album and also for colchicum. White hellebore is an agent of great and dangerous power. According to the experiments and inquiries of Schahel Dissertatio de efr. Veratri albi et Hellebori nigri."ftibingen, 1817), it is poisonous to all elven of animals, and acts fatally, if in sufficient quantity, by whatever way It is introduced into the system. It appears to have a specific effect on the intestinal canal and nervous system. Its effects on these parte being uniform, whether applied directly to them or to remote parts, provided absorption take place. The action is that of a nareoticoacrid poison ; but its narcotic effect 13 while its acrimony is greater, than that of black hellebore. It is doubtful whether the plant now spoken of ie the white hellebore of the ancients. In doses short of any dangerous or violent effect, white hellebore exercises a peculiar action on the secreting organs, the stomach and intestines, and the nervous system. Almost all mucous surfaces, and the glands connected with them, as well as the kidneys, are excited to increased secretion. But when the quantity is more con siderable, heat of the mouth, tongue, and throat, with spasmodic constriction of the pharynx, thirst., pains in the stomach and intestines,
alternate heats and chills of the whole body, perspirations, anxiety, pain of the head, giddiness, depression of spirits, gloomy expression, and even spasms of the countenance, are experienced : if vomiting fortunately occur early, these symptoms are alleviated. Schabel stye that no substance so certainly acte as an emetic; but while tartar emetic or ipecacuanah, ot sulphate of zinc, can be had, it ought never to be employed. If the substance be introduced into the rectum, the symptoms are the same, except that the heat of the mouth and pain of the stomach are less. In decidedly poisonous doses its action is that of a violent narcotico-acrid, causing severe vomiting and purging, often bloody stools, tenesmus, burning feeling from the mouth to the rectum, constriction amounting to a sense of strangulation in the throat, with small pulse, faintings, cold sweats, giddiness, blindness, dilated pupils, loss of voice, convulsions, and insensibility, generally terminating in death. The tincture and the alcoholic extract act more powerfully than the watery infusion or extract. A cutaneous eruption sometimes follows the use of white hellebnre. Where death does not ensue, palpitation with intermitting pulse, along with cl)speptic and nervous symptoms, remain for some time. The application of white hellebore to wound; or any broken surface, either to destroy vermin or to cure the itch, may produce the above effects ; and this result occurs whether it is used in powder, as a wash, or ointment. The popular use of these Is therefore to be discouraged. White hellebore is occasionally mistaken for Galanga rout, and the seeds for those of cumin : inten tional poisoning with it is rare ; but from the use of it among soldiers, who have recourse to it from its property of producing palpitation of the heart, and thus simulating disease of that organ, in hopes of obtaining their discharge, violent and indeed fatal effects ensue. It is the active ingredient in some quack medicines for gout or rheumatism, often producing dangerous consequences. It is also the efficient agent in many insect-destroying powders. An efficient antidote is scarcely to be found. Samuel Hahnemann, overrating the antagonising power of coffee, recommends that article ; but at best it can only combat the narcotic symptoms, which are not the most formidable. Astringent drinks have also been proposed, but they are not to be relied on. Acid drinks seem more serviceable : hence tamarinds, or cream of tartar may be given, followed by demulcent or oily fluids. Vomiting should be encouraged.
The medicinal employment of white hellebore Is not very great in the present day ; but when administered with due caution it is of great service in gouty and dyapeptio disorders, where there Is torpor of the liver, sluggish bowels, and defective secretion from the kidneys. From its influence on these organs it often proves useful iu chronio cutaneous diseases, in which the digestion is always impaired. It is likewise used as a aternutatory, largely diluted with some starchy powder. Externally, veratria Is employed to relieve nervous pains ) but its nse requires theEreatest caution.