PIPER CUBEBA. ORD. XLIV. Piperitz. 97 
which has ever yet been introduced into practice. It possesses what may 
be justly called a specific power in most constitutions, especially when ad- 
ministered in the early and acute form of the disease. It moderates the 
inflammation and most painful symptoms, and suppresses the quantity of 
the discharge in a shorter time, and with more certainty, than any other 
remedy with which I am acquainted. 
We are told by Mr. Crawford (see Edinburgh Medical and Physical 
Journal for January, 1818) that “the pepper, well pounded, is exhibited in 
a little water, five or six times a day, in the quantity of a dessert-spoonful, 
or about three drachms.” The ardor urine ceases, the discharge grows 
ropy, commonly in 48 hours, and frequently in less time, and the disease 
ceases altogether soon after. These, of course, are the most successful effects 
of the medicine. Iu some cases the cure is slower; in a few it has been 
said to produce swelled testicle; and in a still smaller number it has been 
found altogether ineffectual. The sensible effects of this remedy are ex- 
tremely mild. It occasions, (though not always) a slight purging: it im- 
parts to the urine its own peculiar odour, and promotes its quantity. Now 
and then it occasions a flushing of the face and a burning heat in the palms 
of the hands and soles of the feet. Mr. Marley says, “In cases of a recent 
nature, I think it may be called specific. The head and stomach are always 
more or less affected during the exhibition of cubebs, and there is generally 
a tendency to constipation.”* 
Dr. Trail of Liverpool states, that as far as his opinion goes, it is most 
useful in old and obstinate blenorrheea, and also that it is highly beneficial 
in the last stage, or when the discharge is of a gleety nature. Mr. Adams, 
from his experience of the eflicacy of cubebs, says, they are not a specific for 
gonorrhea, but that they may be considered a valuable remedy when fresh, 
of good quality, and finely powdered. We have been told by scme respect- 
able surgeons that they have not found it of any service whatever, that it 
has invariably produced some untoward symptom, which has obliged them 
to discontinue its use; viz. deep-seated pain in the head, distressing diar- 
rhea, hemorrhoids, hematuria, urticaria, violent nausea, &e.t From our 
* Vide Medical and Physical Journal for June, 1821. 
+ Edinburgh Medical and Surgical Journal, for 1820. 
{ Dr. Fosbrooke has commended cubebs in cases of inflammation of the mucous 
membrane of the intestines, and also in cases of chronic inflammation of the xsophagus. 
This is rather at variance with the opinion that it induces hemorrhoids and hematuria. 
Von ¥: 1) 
