¶ The Vertues.
The root of white Hellebor procureth vomite mightily, wherein consisteth his chiefe vertue, [ A] and by that means voideth all superfluous slime and naughtie humors. It is good against the fal∣ling sicknesse, phrensies, sciatica, dropsies, poison, and against all cold diseases that bee of hard cu∣ration, and will not yeeld to any gentle medicine.
This strong medicine made of white Hellebor, ought not to be giuen inwardly vnto delicate [ B] bodies without great correction, but it may more safely be giuen vnto Country people which feed grossely, and haue hard, tough, and strong bodies.
The root of Hellebor cut in small pieces, such as may aptly and conueniently be conueied into [ C] the Fistulaes doth mundifie them, and taketh away the callous matter which hindereth curation, and afterward they may be healed vp with some incarnatiue vnguent, fit for the purpose. ‡ This facultie by Dioscorides is attributed to the blacke Hellebor, and not to this. ‡
The pouder drawne vp into the nose causeth sneesing, and purgeth the braine from grosse and [ D] slimic humours.
The root giuen to drinke in the weight of two pence, taketh away the fits of agues, killeth Mice [ E] and rats being made vp with honie and floure of wheat: Pliny addeth that it is a medicine against the Lousie euill.