by the use of this were brought to their right senses again. In Eng∣lish 'tis called Black Hellebore and Christmasse-Flower, because it flou∣risheth about that time, especially when the Winter is milde.
The inward use.
The roots are most in use, especially the barke. Black Hellebore purgeth Melancholy and burnt choler, as also thick and viscuous flegme, from the bloud (whereby that is infected) and entrails, and from remote parts; therefore it is very usefu••l in pains of the head, swimming & giddines thereof, in the Apoplexie, in Melancholy, Mad∣nesse, Falling Sicknesse, Hypochondriack affects, hardnesse of the spleen, quartane Ague, and erratick feavers, also against the Dropsie, Scab, Leprosie, Cancer, scald Head or scurf, Elephancie and such like foul diseases of the skin. It is profitable against pain & noyse of the eares, and against stubborn and contumacious diseases. It is counted as an Antidote against the Leprosie, Scab, Tetter, &c. hardnesse and swel∣ling of the Spleen, old quartane Agues, pains of the joynts, Apost∣humes and the Kings Evil. It quickneth the brain and senses, provokes urine, and brings down the Courses in women. It hath an excellent faculty to draw away whatsoever is mixed with the bloud, and cau∣seth it to corrupt, and is profitable in a long continued Jaundise. Some say it will cause the Devill to be cast out, being taken by such as are possessed. Thus we may say, that although the Devil cannot be cast out by humane art or physicall means, yet by taking black Helle∣bore, the melancholy humour is drawn away (which is Balneum & sedes Diaboli, the bath and seat of the Devill, and so the Devill is more easily cast out, from whence it may rightly (say some) be cal∣led, fuga Daemonum. But I think the white Hellebore, rather de∣serves this name then the black. It is usefull in pains of the belly, in the Gowt, Sciatica, Cramp, or Convulsion, pains and aches of the joynts or sinews. It killeth Wormes, especially the leaves of the ba∣stard kinde called Beares-foot. Some commend it in Consumptions of the Lungs and of the whole body. The extract of black Helle∣bore is very safe for the Diseases before mentioned.