CAPSICUM 525 



and antiseptic by virtue of its resin and volatile oil. It is a 

 stomachic and carminative internally, exciting the appetite 

 and increasing the secretion, motion and blood supply of the 

 stomach and bowels. Myrrh is eliminated by the mucous 

 membranes of the bronchial and genito-urinary tracts, and 

 stimulates and disinfects these parts during its excretion. 

 The drug is occasionally prescribed as a stimulating expec- 

 torant in chronic bronchitis ; as a stimulant and antiseptic in 

 chronic cystitis ; also as a uterine stimulant and emmenagogue 

 in ammenorrhoea, and in chronic leucorrhoea. 



Myrrh is thought to prove beneficial in ansemia, when 

 combined with iron. It assists the action of purgatives, and 

 myrrh may be exhibited as a laxative in the form of the 

 tincture of aloes and myrrh. The tincture forms a service- 

 able mouth-wash in aqueous emulsion (1-16), and is some- 

 times employed as a stimulant and antiseptic on wounds, 

 sores and ulcers, diluted with 4 to 8 parts of water. Myrrh 

 is administered in tincture, ball or pill. 



Class 2. — Used Mainly for their Stomachic and 

 Carminative Action TJpon the Digestive Tract. 



Capsicum. Capsicum. (U. S. P.) 



Synonym.^— Ga^psici fructus, B. P. ; cayenne pepper, 

 African or pod pepper, E.; capsiqua, piment des jardins, 

 piment rouge, poivre de cayenne, Fr. ; spanischer pfeffer, G. 

 Called commonly " red pepper," when dried and powdered. 



The fruit of Capsicum fastigiatum Blume (nat. ord. 

 Solanaceae). 



Habitat. — Tropical America ; cultivated also in other 

 tropical countries. 



Description. — OTblong-conical, from 10 to 20 Mm. long ; 

 supported by a flattish, cup-shaped, five-toothed calyx with 

 .a red, shining, membranous and translucent pericarp 

 enclosing two cells and containing flat, reniform, yellowish 

 seeds, attached to a thick, central placenta. It has a peculiar 

 odor, and an intensely hot taste. 



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