Remarks on the Use of Piperine. 329 



Brande must certainly be mistaken when he says, it acts only 

 as a warm condiment, agreeable to the stomach.* 



It is mentioned in Dr. Coxe's valuable dispensatory, under 

 the article piper, that Dr. Frank, physician to her Majesty, 

 Maria* Louisa, recommends the black pepper in different spe- 

 cies of intermittent fevers. 



This had previously been used in the east, with success, 

 after every known means had been ineffectually tried. The 

 dose is five to ten grains, twice a day ; and Dr. Ghigini re- 

 ports ten cases cured by it. Dr. Frank mentions seventy 

 patients, who came under his notice between April and June, 

 of whom fifty-two had tertian, ten quotidian, and eight the 

 quartan fever. Fifty-four were completely cured within a 

 week or so, without any subsequent relapse. He dips the 

 seed of black pepper into a mucilage of gum arabic, and sub- 

 sequently into powdered Colombo, to disguise it, and gives 

 from five to eight pills twice a day. None of his patients re- 

 quired more than from seventy to eighty pills for a complete 

 cure. Dr. Frank recommends to the profession to try the ex- 

 tract of black pepper, in intermittent fevers. This prepara- 

 tion was tried on nine individuals, affected with intermittent 

 fevers of different types, in doses of four, eight, ten, or twelve 

 grains, dissolved in water in some cases, and given in the 

 form of pills in others, by Dr. Clock, of Trent ; and the effects 

 surpassed his warmest expectations. 



From these experiments it is concluded, that the extract of 

 pepper is not only one of the best succedaneums for the bark, 

 but that it is even preferable to it, on several accounts. 



First. It never produces disturbance in the stomach or 

 bowels. 



Second. It never fails in producing a cure. 



Third. Those who were cured did not in any one instance 

 experience a relapse. 



Fourth. It produces a regular alvine discharge, as well as 

 the excretion of urine and sweat. 



Fifth. None of those who were cured, experienced that 

 sensation of languor, so common to a state of convalescence. 



The following cases, treated with piperine, are given by 

 Dr. J. Gordoni, physician, to the hospitals of Livourne :| 



* It may be observed, with deference to Mr. Brande's opinion, that there 

 never has been a medicine yet discovered, respecting whose qualities, some di- 

 versity of opinion has not existed, and every medicine, however valuable, has 

 met with some opposition. 



t Bulletin des Sciences Medicales, Avril, 1826. 



Vol. XIIL— No. 2. 17 



