CAPSICUM ANNUUM. 145 
Swallowed in small doses, it creates a sensation of warmth in 
the stomach ; in larger doses, it produces a glow over the body, 
excites thirst, quickens the pulse, and exerts a stimulating 
influence over the urino-genital organs; in excessive doses, it 
will produce vomiting, purging, abdominal paims, and gastric 
inflammation, according to Vogt (Pharmakodyn, Ba. ii. s. 581) ; 
and a paralysed and altered condition of the nervous in- 
fluence, an affection of the head, drunkenness, and giddiness, 
according to Richter (Ausf. Arzneim., Bd. ii. s. 173). A strong 
preparation of Cayenne pepper has been known to occasion 
death (Lond. Med. Gazette, vol. xxiii.) 
Homm@oparnic Usrs.—The following are Hahnemann’s 
observations on this plant. ‘In the two Indies, where the Cap- 
sicum (Piper Indicum seu Hispanicum) is indigenous, it is em- 
ployed only as a condiment. This custom has been imitated 
in England, France, Italy, and Germany, where they often 
substitute the Cayenne pepper (Capsicum baccatum), which is 
still more powerful. The object is to stimulate the palate, and 
to increase the appetite beyond the bounds prescribed by 
Nature, and thus undermine and destroy the health. This 
powerful substance has been but little employed as a medicine. 
However, Bergius informs us that he has cured several chronic 
intermittent fevers with three doses of Capsicum, each dose of 
two grains, but he did not administer it alone; for the old 
hereditary sin of the ancient régime of medicine (of mixing 
drugs) suggested to him to unite with it laurel-leaves, in the 
proportion of twenty to three. He does not describe either 
the intermittent fevers that he has cured, according to the 
totality of the symptoms, but is satisfied in giving the name, as 
is the general custom amongst the practitioners of the old 
school, so that it is impossible to come to any conclusion from 
the cases he relates. The homeopathic physician proceeds in 
a manner more certain in the cures he undertakes with the 
Capsicum. After having studied the pure symptoms that this | 
substance produces on persons in health, he only applies it to — 
