212 PEONY PEPPER. 



warming and grateful to the stomach. The infusion of 

 i ounce of herb to a pint of boiling water is taken 

 warm in teacupful doses, frequently repeated. 



Preparations Fluid extract : Dose, -1 drachm. 

 Essence : Dose, 5-20 drops. Oil : Dose, -3 drops. 



Distinctive character Herb 8-12 inches high. 

 Stems bluntly quadrangular. Leaves opposite, shortly 

 stalked, oblong-oval, obtuse, about i-i inch long and 

 ^ inch broad, faintly serrate, nearly smooth, or hairy. 

 Taste and odour, mint-like, but characteristic. 



PEONY. Peeonia officinalis, Linn. 



N.O. Ranunculocea. 



Syn. Paeonia, Common Peony, Piney. 

 Part used Root. 



Action Antispasmodic, tonic. Successfully em- 

 ployed in convulsive and spasmodic nervous affections 

 such as chorea, epilepsy, spasms, &c. The infusion of 

 i ounce powdered root in a pint of boiling water is 

 taken in wineglassful to teacupful doses three to four 

 times daily. 



Distinctive character In scraped, spindle-shaped 

 pieces, averaging 3 inches long and ^--f inch in diameter, 

 pinkish grey or dirty white, strongly furrowed, and 

 shrunken longitudinally. The transverse section is 

 starchy, radiate, with the medullary rays more or less 

 tinged with purple. Taste, sweet then bitter. Inodorous. 



PEPPER. Piper nig rum, Linn. 



Syn.Black Pepper. N -- Piperacea. 



Part used Unripe berries. 



Action Carminative, stimulant. Besides its use as 

 a condiment, Pepper is a valuable gastro-intestinal 

 stimulant, of great service in flatulence, congestive 

 chills, and indigestion. It has been recommended in 

 intermittent fevers, and forms an ingredient in "Asiatic 



