16^ 
PIPER NIGRUM. 
pepper chiefly owes it pungency. M. Pelletier also found the follow- 
ing components in pepper : malic and tartaric acids, starch, lignin, 
earthy and alkaline salts, a coloured gummy matter, extractive, and 
a volatile balsamic oil. 
The ground pepper of the shops is generally adulterated with tlie 
powdered husk of the white mustard seed, which is sold by the mus- 
tard manufacturer for this purpose under the name of P.D. pepper 
dust. 
Medical Properties and Uses. Black pepper is aromatic, 
stimulant, and carminative. It has been successfully employed as a 
stimulant in paralytic affections and retrocedent gout, and has 
proved serviceable in some cases of vertigo, and in arthritic disorders. 
It is also foundi;o check nausea, vomiting, and hiccough, and when 
taken in large doses, has been found to stop the paroxysm of inter- 
mittents.* It is said to be injurious in inflammatory habits, and to 
those subject to piles ; it nevertheless forms the principal ingredient 
in a celebrated patent medicine (Ward's Paste) for the cure of 
piles, and which has without doubt proved eflicacious in some 
instances. As a local application it is usefully employed in the form 
of infusion, as a gargle in relaxation of the uvula. Pepper is in general 
use as a condiment, and when taken in moderate quantity promotes 
digestion. Black pepper may be taken in doses of from ten to 
twenty grains. 
Oflf. The Berry. 
Ofl^. Pp. Emplastrum Meloes Vesicat. Corap. E. 
Unguentum Piperis Nigri, D. 
tilled water, a fatty precipitate falls down, which shoald be separated by filtration. The 
crystals which form on the sides of the vessels and the filter are pure Piperin, 
* Dr. Meli has successfully employed Piperin in intermittent and other fevers, and 
it is said to be equally eSicacious as the preparations of Qnina. 
