PEPPERS. 563 
such intervals as seem necessary will reduce the tremor, and 
agitation within a few hours, causing presently a calm, prolonged 
sleep; at the same time the skin will become warm, and will 
perspire naturally; the pulse will subside in quickness, whilst 
regaining fullness, and volume ; the kidneys also, and the bowels 
will act freely. For an intemperate person who really desires 
to wean himself from indulging in spirituous liquors, and yet 
feels to need some other stimulant in place thereof, at first 
Cayenne Pepper, given in essence, or tincture, mixed with that 
of bitter orange peel, will answer most effectually, the doses 
being reduced in strength, and frequency from day to day. 
But no alcoholic liquor of any sort should be resumed ; indeed, 
there will arise a mortal repugnance thereto. “The feverish 
remorse,” said Charles Lamb, in Confessions of a Drunkard 
(1830), thus felt “were enough to make him clasp his teeth 
fast together, 
** And not undo ’em, 
To suffer wet damnation to run thro’ ’em.” 
For the racking headache which follows a drinking debauch 
it is famously effective to drink from time to time a cupful of a 
strong tea made from the Garden Thyme as grown in the herb 
bed; its volatile aromatic oil is specifically beneficial for this 
severe penalty exacted by the overnight indulgence. A tincture 
of Capsicum is officinal, and may be had of uniform strength 
from any druggist; sixteen grains of pure good Capsicum 
powder to each fluid ounce of spirit of wine, macerated, and 
strained, the dose thereof being from five to twenty drops, with 
two tablespoonfuls of cold water. For an attack of delirium 
tremens, beel-tea red-hot with Cayenne Pepper, and with grated 
Parmesan cheese in it, may be helpfully taken by the patient 
in frequent copious draughts. While this is so strong, and 
burning, that under ordinary conditions one would scarcely dare 
to taste it, yet the patient will pronounce it the most cool, and 
refreshing drink. Some such a sad, but sagacious rogue must 
have been the Peter Piper of our young days, who is said to have 
eaten a “peck of pickled Pepper;” though nursery tradition 
asks doubtingly whether he did so, or not. John Leech, the 
talented Punch artist, when he died, left behind him forty pairs 
of trousers, and forty-six pots of Cayenne Pepper ! 
A much esteemed West Indian dish is Pepperpot, the chief 
