CAPSICUM FASTIGIATUM 177 



3 waters in which it is cooked, which contain an active princi- 

 ple capable of causing such disagreeable symptoms as vertigo 

 and nausea. A decoction of the leaves serves to cleanse 

 chronic sores and in fact improves their condition ; it is also 

 used as a lotion for various forms of dermatitis, for erysipelas 

 and old burns. 



The plant is narcotic, antispasmodic and like belladonna it 

 dilates the pupil. 



In India the decoction is given internally, 200—250 grams, 

 for hypertrophy of the liver, and it is considered a good diuretic 

 and alterative. For such uses they heat the above dose in a 

 clay vessel till the color changes from green to brown, when 

 it is cooled and given next day. Its action is diuretic and 

 hydragogue-cathartic. Mooden Sheriff recommends this treat- 

 ment highly, and for dropsy further advises the aqueous extract, 

 12 grams during the day divided into 3 or 4 doses. Small 

 doses of 30-60 grams of the decoction prepared as above de- 

 scribed, are of use in some chronic skin diseases such as psori- 

 asis. 



In 1821 Defosses, of Besangon, obtained solanine from the 

 fruit, previously isolated from the S. Dulcamara. 



Botanical Desceiption. — A plant about 2° high, stem 

 straight, 3-4-angled, with white dots. Leaves lanceolate. 

 Flowers white, in 2-ranked racemes. Calyx inferior, 5 per- 

 sistent teeth. Corolla, 5 petals somewhat down-curved. Berry 

 small, black when ripe. 



Habitat. — Universally common. Blooms in January. 



Capsicum fastigiatum, Bl. (C. minimum, Koxb.) 



Noji. YuLG. — Chili picante, Sp.-Fil. ; Sili, Tag. ; Capsicum. 



Red Pepper, etc., Eng. 

 Uses. — The fruit of this species of pepper plant is called 

 agi in Cuba and Porto Rico ; it is in common use as a condi- 

 ment in the Philippines. As a tonic and stimulant it is a 

 15 



