526 VEGETABLE DBUGS 



Constituents. — 1, capsaicin (CsHuNOj), a crystallissable, 

 acrid body ; 2, capsicin, a, volatile alkaloid ; 3, a fixed oil ; 4, 

 fatty matter; 5, resin. 



Dose. — B.., gr.xx.-3i. (1.3-4.); C, 3i.-ii. (4.-8.); D., 

 gr.i.-viii. (.06-.5). 



PREPARATIONS. 



Fluidextractum Capsici. Fluidextract of Capsicum. (TT. S. P.) 

 Made by maceration and percolation with alcohol, and evaporation, 



so that 1 oc, — 1 gm. of the crude drug. 



Dose.—'a., Tiixx.Si. (1.3-4.); C, 3i.-ii. (4-8.); D., ni.-viii. 



(.06-.5). 



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

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

 make 1000. (U. S. P.) 



Dose.—B.., 3ii.-iv. (8.-15.); C, §ss.-i. (15.r30.); D., Tilv.-Jl. 



(.3-4.). 



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

 Made by percolation with acetone, distillation, and evaporation of 

 thie residue. 



Dose.—H.., ■nix.-xxx. (.6-3.); C, 3 ss.-i. (3.-4.); D., mH- (-OlS-.Oe). 



Unguentum Capsici. (B. P.) 



Administration. — Capsicum and the oleoresin are given 

 in ball or pill. The fluid extract 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 irrita- 

 tion 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 vascularity, 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 fluid extract painted on plaster splints to prevent 

 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, p. 141). 



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