. CAPSICUM, 203 



Similar to capers when pickled. The juice stains yellow. 

 Said to be equivalent of Chelidonium. 



CALYCANTHUS FLORIDUS, L. Siveef Shrub, 

 Jlllspice. Fine shrub, much esteemed for the blossoms, 

 Smelling like Pine-apple. The bark is aromatic, similar 

 to cinnamon, the seeds taste like Pimento : often used 

 in the South for substitutes to spices j yet said to poi- 

 son dogs and wolves. The root is a very strong emetic 



CANNABIS SATIVA, L. Common Hemp. Well 

 known, often spontaneous. Leaves and seeds virose, 

 narcotic, phantastic, anodyne, repellent. Leaves used 

 as Tobacco in the East Indies, under the name of Bang, 

 smoked and chewed, pernicious, they exhilirate at first, 

 but soon affect the head like opium ^ the excessive use 

 brings on stupidity, mania, and many diseases like to- 

 bacco. Boiled in oil they form a good liniment for rheu- 

 matism. Used before surgical operations to produce 

 stupor. The emulsion of the seeds useful for gonorrhea, 

 leucorrhea, jaundice and impotency. Hemp seed oil is 

 bland and good for lamps. Hemp beer intoxicates. 



CAPRARIA BIFLORA, L. Cartb Tea. Florida 

 and Louisiana. Used as tea in the West Indies, taste 

 very different from tea. 



CAPSICUM, L. Cayenne Pepper. The C.baccatum 

 wild in Florida. C. annnus cultivated every where. 

 ^xi of Haytians. Chile of Mexicans. Fruit a well known 

 condiment, very strong stimulant, acrid and burning. 

 Tlie abuse or even use of it, often produce fevers and 

 inflammatory disorders, liver complaints, obstructions, 

 bloody piles, sores, &c. Useful in food only for flatu- 

 lence^ it is never of service to the healthy, but is medi- 

 cal to the sick, stimulating the stomach, excitino- the 

 lierves in lethargic and paralytic affections. Often used 

 as a gargle in palsy of the tongue, putrid or ulcerated 

 sore throat. Externallv ajirood stimulant and rubefacient 

 in chronic rheumatism, palsy, gout, tooth ache, drop- 

 sies, used in cataplasm or tincture rubbed on. Employed 

 in the West Indies in the cachexy or morbid debility of 

 negroes. A specific in the relaxed sore eyes, in a weak 

 wash. The powder sprinkled on socks will cure the cold- 

 ness of the feet. It has become a principal article in 

 the practice of the empiric Thompson, to retain, as be 



