(Hæmatoxylon Campechianum). Logwood.
Qualities. The wood is hard, compact, and heavy. Odour, none; Taste, sweet, and astringent; Colour, deep red. Chemical Composition. The colouring matter of this wood has been very recently submitted to a rigid examination; and the name of Hematin has been given to it; it affords small brilliant crystals of a reddish white colour, and slightly astringent, bitter, and acrid flavour; sulphuretted hydrogen passed through its solution in water, gives it a yellow colour, which disappears in a few days. Gelatine throws it down in reddish flakes. The habitudes of Logwood are curious with respect to mutability of colour. The recent infusion, made with distilled water, is yellow, but that with common water has a reddish purple colour, which is deepened by the alkalies, and changed to yellow by the acids; various salts precipitate it; acetate of lead; alum; the sulphates of copper and iron; tartarized antimony; and sulphuric, muriatic, nitric, and acetic acids, are on this account incompatible with it. Med. Uses. It is supposed to be astringent, and is therefore given in protracted diarrhœas, and in the latter stage of dysentery. Officinal Prep. Extract. Hæmatoxyli. L.
HELLEBORI FŒTIDI FOLIA L.
(Helleborus Fœtidus). Helleboraster. D.
The Leaves of Fœtid Hellebore.
As this plant is merely retained in the list of materia medica on account of its anthelmintic properties, it might be well dispensed with, since we possess many others which are much more safe, as well as more efficacious.
HELLEBORI NIGRI RADIX. L.E.D.
The Root of Black Hellebore. Melampodium.[[518]]
Christmas Rose.
Qualities. The fibres of the root are the parts employed; they are about the thickness of a straw, corrugated, externally of a deep dark colour, hence the epithet black; internally white, or of a yellowish hue. Odour, unpleasant; Taste, bitter and acrid. Chemical Composition. An analysis of this root has lately been effected by M. M. Feneulle and Capron, from which it appears that its active principle, unlike that of the White Hellebore (Veratrum) is not an alkali; the following substances enter into its composition, viz. 1. A Volatile Oil.—2. A Fatty matter.—3. A Resin.—4. Wax.—5. A Volatile Acid.—6. A bitter principle.—7. Mucus.—8. Alumina.—9. Gallate of Potass.—10. Acidulous Gallate of Lime.—11. A Salt, with an Ammoniacal base. Solubility. Both water and alcohol extract its virtues, but the spirituous solution is the most active; long coction diminishes its powers, hence the watery extract acts more mildly than the root. Medicinal Uses. This is one of the most ancient articles of the materia medica. Ctesias, who lived in the time of Plato, and anterior to Hippocrates, speaks of it as a medicine of important virtues. By the Greek and Roman physicians it was highly esteemed as a remedy in Mania (see p. 8.) The extraordinary cures performed at the island of Anticyrus, famous for its Hellebore, are celebrated by the poets and historians of antiquity. It is a drastic cathartic, and may prove therefore emmenagogue, and hydragogue, but in this country, its reputation has been destroyed by the decided manner in which Dr. Cullen reprobated its use. Forms of Exhibition. It is seldom given in substance, but in the form of tincture or extract; or in that of decoction, made with two drachms of the root to a pint of water. Dose of the powdered root, grs. x to ℈j; of the decoction, f℥j. Officinal Preparations. Tinct. Hellebori Nigri. L.E.D. Extractum Hellebori Nigri. E.D. Adulterations. The roots of the poisonous aconites are often fraudulently substituted; this is easily discovered, for the aconite is lighter coloured than the palest specimens of black hellebore; it is safe therefore to choose the darkest.