Botanic Remedies 259 



pepper" is Capsicum fastigiatum, or the MEXICAN 

 CHILE and known in Europe as the AFRICAN PEPPER. 

 The SPANISH PEPPER is largely official abroad, while 

 we have entirely neglected it as a remedy, using 

 only the capsicum. The various species of this 

 plant are esteemed in tropical countries and are 

 believed to act as an intestinal antiseptic. See "Cap- 

 sicum" and "Piper." 



PIPER 



BLACK PEPPER, Piper nigrum, official in several 

 countries and in the U. S. Pipeline (av. dose, 3 gr.) 

 is a base obtained from it. The oleore'sin is given in 

 ^2 grain doses. Used externally as counterirritants 

 and internally as aromatic and stimulant carmina- 

 tives. 



PODOPHYLLUM 



MANDRAKE, MAY APPLE ROOT, Podophyllum pel- 

 tatum. Official in eight countries. P. Emodi, INDIAN 

 PODOPHYLLUM, official in Great Britain. There is 

 little difference in the action of the two plants. 

 Average dose, 8 grains; fl., 8 minims. 



PODOPHYLLIN, resin of podophyllum, is the active 

 principle. Its average dose is stated as 1-10 grain 

 in the U. S. P. VIII, but 1-6 grain in U. S. P. IX. 

 It was discovered by Dr. Wm. S. Merrell in 1847. 



Externally irritant. Internally a drastic purga- 

 tive, causing much irritation of the bowel. Medic- 

 inal doses are often nauseating and are slow in 

 action. Classed as a direct and indirect cholagogue. 

 Podophyllotoxin is apt to induce hemorrhage from 

 various organs. 



THERAPEUTICS. Employed in constipation with 



