34 



Gentian, occasionally recognized, is the dried root of the plant 

 known as Gentiana lutia and is grown in Central and Southern 

 Europe. It is very bitter and is used as a stomachic and tonic, pro- 

 moting an increased secretion of the gastric juice. It costs about 

 25 cents per pound at retail. 



Ginger, is the powdered underground stem of Zingiber officinale, 

 grown principally in India and the West 'Indies. It stimulates the 

 various membranes with which it comes in contact. It is used as a 

 stomachic, and to reduce the griping effects of purgatives. 



Sulfates of mag7tesia and soda, in the form of Epsom and 

 Glaubers salts, are used as purgatives, and cost 5 cents per 

 pound at retail. They are frequently spoken of as "salts." 



Pepper. The common black pepper, chiefly used in veterinary 

 practice, is obtained from the brown berries of an East India 

 climbing plant, the Piper nigrum. The cayenne pepper consists of 

 the dried ripe fruit of Capsicum fastigiatum and annuum. Both varie- 

 ties have been recognized, especially in the poultry foods and condi- 

 tion powders. Pepper is used as a stomachic and also to increase 

 the activity of the reproductive organs. 



Sulphur, recognized occasionally, is employed as a laxative, and 

 as a stimulant of the mucus surfaces. 



Iron, found as Venetian red (in which form it is not used medici- 

 nally), is apparently employed to color or disguise the real character 

 of the food. Sulfate of iron, used as a restorative and tonic, was 

 seldom identified. 



Charcoal. Its medicinal value consists in its ability to check fer- 

 mentative changes, and to absorb undesirable gasses. In some cases 

 it appears to have been ground fine with the other ingredients to 

 conceal their identity. 



To summ.arize, the condimental foods are composed principally of 

 the various common grains together with small quantities of fenu- 

 greek, gentian, pepper, and charcoal, to act as tonics, increase the 

 appetite, and relieve indigestion ; and Epsom or Glaubers salts to 

 increase the activity of the bowels. 



Such materials as fenugreek, gentian, ordinary salt. 



Value of the Epsom salts, charcoal, ginger, and pepper are 



other ingredi- unquestionably valuable as simple medicines when 



ents. i^roperly used. It is certain, however, that they can 



be obtained -very inuch cheaper when purchased sepa- 



