202 CAPSICUM. 



There are numerous other species of the piperacea, but these are the 

 chief of those much used. 



The composition of black pepper is resin,volatile oil,peperine,extractive, 

 gum, bassorin, starch, malic and tartaric acids, woody fibre and salts. 

 White pepper is similar, with water, &c. Peperine is employed in 

 medicine as a febrifuge in fevers, and is thought to be as speedy and 

 certain as sulphate of quinia. Doses, 6 or 8 grains in powder, or pills. 



Its ordinary effects are well known ; inflammatory symptoms succeed 

 its use in quantities; it acts as a stimulant, accelerates the pulse and 

 excites the mucous surface. It has a well-known influence over the 

 morbid condition of the urino-genital organs. It is chiefly employed 

 as a condiment, for its flavor and stimulant effects on the stomach, by 

 which digestion is assisted, and for a torpid state of the digestive pow- 

 ers. Infused in spirits, it is a popular remedy in intermittent fevers, 

 taken just before the attack. Warm water, with pepper, has long 

 been taken for cold fits. It is employed in paralysis of the tongue, &c. 

 as a masticory. It is also used as an ointment, and mixed with mustard 

 in poultices, &c. A dose of black pepper in corns or powder is 5 to 

 15 grains ; the powder is given in the form of pills. The Pepper con- 

 fection of physicians, for piles, &c. is composed of black pepper, Ele- 

 campane root, or liquorice root, of each equal parts, in powder, Fennel 

 seeds, honey, and white sugar, of equal parts, rubbed to a powder 

 dose, 1 to 3 drachms twice or thrice a day, introduced into the rectum 

 in a solution, and persevered in, if necessary. Gently opening medi- 

 cines are given occasionally, in the mean time. 



CAPSICUM. Solanece, sp. 18-24. A. 1 ft. Species of plants of 

 great value as a spice in this country, E. and W. Indies and S. Ameri- 

 ca. They bear pods of various colors and size, with small flat seeds. 

 The principal of these are the Bdl Pepper, Guinea and Bird Pepper 

 (C. lattatum), all possessing the same general qualities. The fruit of 

 the last is much used for culinary purposes in hot climates, eaten with 

 animal and vegetable food and mixed with sauces, or with flour, and 

 baked. The Cayenne Pepper, used in cooking, is the pod of a differ- 

 ent species of capsicum, dried and reduced to powder, mixed with salt, 

 and preserved in bottles. The species of this genus are numerous, 

 but they all agree in their pungent properties, the smallest being most 

 so. Their taste is very acrid, leaving a burning sensation, best re- 

 moved by oil or butter. All are natives of tropical climates, where 

 they form an important article of diet, and are used externally and in- 

 ternally for a torpid and paralytic condition of the organs. In small 

 quantities it is a grateful stimulant. One of the varieties ( red pep- 

 per) is cultivated here in gardens, and much used for culinary pur- 

 poses. The Guinea pepper is an annual capsicum, the fruit of which 

 is eaten green by peasants in the S. of Europe, and is preferred to the 

 onion or garlic. It is valuable as a pickle, and when ground, as Cay- 



