PEPPERS; 561 
PEPPERS. 
As to the Latin word “Piper” for Pepper, its derivation is said 
to be from the Greek ‘* Pepert, quod apricatum,’—because 
baked, and dried by the sun. “ There is 3 maner of Peper, 
alle upo’ o’ tree,—long Peper, blak Peper, and white Peper.” 
The principal kinds (white, and black) are procured from the 
seed of a small shrub which grows at Malabar. and in various 
parts of India; for preparing white Pepper the outer husk of 
this seed is removed. Pepper was known to the ancient Greeks, 
and was so highly valued in the early centuries of the Christian 
era that when Alaric besieged Rome (408 4.D.) he included in 
its ransom three thousand pounds of Pepper. A similar spice 
is Long Pepper, from the East Indies ; its spike has the half-ripe 
berries attached. This Pepper being not so strong, but more 
acrid in its effect, has been long used in making medical confec- 
tions. The seeds of each sort contain an essential oil, and an 
alkaloid, “ piperine,” of great power. 
Both Hippocrates, and Galen employed Pepper as a medicine, 
and its culinary use was described by Apicius. Our old English 
writers make frequent mention of it. For instance, Sir T. Elyot, 
in the Castel of Health, says with respect to this healthful condi- 
ment: “The nature of Pepper is that beinge eaten it passes 
through the bodye, heatying, and comforting the stomacke, not 
entrynge into the vaynes, or annoyinge the lyuer.” The early 
signification of “to pepper” was to pelt with peppercorns, and 
to cause smarting of the part hit therewith; this verb was also 
employed to signify giving a person his quietus, or “ doing for 
him.” In Romeo and Juliet the term is thus used, “I am 
peppered, I warrant, for this world.” 
Grocers as dealers in Pepper were formerly known as pepperers. 
“On June 12th, 1345, a number of pepperers, as the grocers 
were then styled, met together at dinner by agreement.” Should 
the stomach feel empty, and, still more, if any dry retching 
occurs, take bottled porter, and biscuit spread with a little 
butter, and sprinkled well with Pepper, (white, or Cayenne) ; 
“which last article” (as Dr. Chambers advises), “‘ by the way, 
amply repays the space it will occupy in a traveller’s pocket 
throughout a journey, so useful is it on all occasions.” Pepper 
when powdered is a vigorous stimulant to digestion, but if taken 
m excess it may inflame the bowels. ‘“ When I’m a Duchess,” 
a 
