CAPSICUM 383 



The dried, ripe fruit of Capsicum brutescens LinnS (Fam. Solanaceae), de- 

 prived ot its calyx and other foreign matter. 



Habitat. — Tropical America; cultivated also in other tropical countries. 



Description. — Oblong-conical, from 8 to 20 mm. in length and from 2 to 15 

 nmi. in diameter; brownish-red or orange, shining, membranous and translucent. 

 Containing 6 to 17 reniform, yellovpish seeds. Odor characteristic, sternutatory; 

 taste in tensely, pungent. The powder is yellowish-brown. 



Constituents. — 1, capsaicin (C„Hi,N02), a crystallizable, acrid body; 2, capsi- 

 cin, a volatile alkaloid; 3, a fixed oil; 4, fatty matter; 5, resin. 



Dose.—n., gr.xx-3i, (1.3-4); C, 3i-ii, (4-8); D., gr.i-viii, (.06-.5). 



FREFABATIOITS. 



FlvAdextractwn Capsici. Fluidextract of Capsicum. (U. S. P. 1905.) 

 Made by maceration and percolation with alcohol, and evaporation, so that 1 

 mil^l Gm. of the crude drug. 



Dose.— H., Tn,xx-5i, (1.8-4); C, 5i-ii, (4-8); D., Tll.i-viii, (.06-.5). 

 Tinctura Capsici. Tincture of Capsicum. (U. S. & B. P.) 

 Made by maceration and percolation of capsicum, 100, with alcohol and water 

 to make 1000. (U. S. P.) 



Dose.—n., 5ii-iv, (8-15); C, gss-i, (15-30); D., Tn,v-3i, (.3-4). 



Oleoresina Capsici. Oleoresin of Capsicum. (U. S. P.) 

 Made by percolation with ether, distillation, and evaporation of the residue. 

 Dose.—H., T11.X-XXX, (.6-2); C, 3ss-i, (2-4); D., ni.%-i, (.016-.06). 

 Unguentum Capsici. (B. P.) 



Administration. — Capsicum and the oleoresin are given in ball or 

 pill. The fluidextract should be freely diluted with water. 



Action and Uses. — Capsicum generally resembles the volatile oils in 

 its action. Externally, it is rubefacient and counter-irritant, producing 

 about the same degree of irritation as mustard, but causing considerably 

 more pain, while its fumes are unbearable. Capsicum is used mainly as 

 a stomachic and a carminative in augmenting the appetite, gastric vascu- 

 larity, secretion and motion, and intestinal peristalsis. Capsicum is 

 employed on the skin in local paralysis — as of the lip — in horses, with 

 mustard in paste ; or as the fluidextract painted on plaster splints to pre- 

 vent dogs from gnawing them off. 



Internally, capsicum is of greater value than black or white pepper, 

 and is indicated in atonic indigestion and flatulent colic in horses (see 

 ammonium carbonate and hydrastis). It may be combined advantageously 

 with bitters, as nux vomica. Capsicum is a favorite stimulant and tonic 

 remedy — to the digestion — with bird fanciers. It is also said to increase 

 the laying of eggs when given to hens. 



Ziif GIBER. Ginger. (U. S. & B. P.) 



Synonym. — Ingwer, G. ; gingembre, Fr. 



The dried rhizome of Zingiber officinale Roscoe (Fam. Zingiberaceae). 



Habitat. — East and West Indies and India; cultivated in tropical climates. 



Description. — The rhizomes vary in appearance according to the variety. The 

 Jamaica, African, Calcutta, Calicut, Cochin, and Japanese gingers are official. 

 Odor agreeably aromatic; taste aromatic and pungent. Powdered ginger is light 

 yellow, or light brown to dark brown. 



Constituents.— 1, a volatile oil (% to 2 per cent.); 2, a resin; 3, gingerol, 

 said to supply pungent taste, while the oil gives flavor. 



Doae.—H., 3ii-Si, (8-80); C, SWv, (80-120); Sh. & Sw., 3i-ii, (4-8); D., 

 gr.v-xv, (.3-1). 



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