CAPSICUM ANNUUM. 
91 
this plant as a resolvent and diuretic, and attributes to it the power 
of resisting the action of contagion and other kinds of poison; 
with this intention it was used by Mithridates ;* this imaginary quality 
is now however very little credited, though highly extolled by 
Boerhaave. According to Bergius, it is " alexiteria, pellens, era- 
menagoga, sudorifera, rubefaciens." It is doubtless a powerful 
stimulant, and may be considered like other medicines of the foetid 
kind to have deobstruent and antispasmodic powers ; and to be 
peculiarly adapted to phlegmatic habits, or weak, hysterical con- 
stitutions, suffering from retarded or obstructed secretions,t Dr. 
CuUen says, " I have no doubt of its antispasmodic powers. J" 
Alibert § speaks highly of it as a uterine medicine, and says, 
" Cette plante a un grande action sur le syst^me nerveuse, et parti- 
culierement sur le syst^nie uterine. Beaucoup de femmes en prennent 
dans les menstrues laborieuses." The leaves dried and burnt, are 
used by the natives of India for the purpose of fumigating young 
children suffering from catarrh; and as an external remedy, mixed 
with arrack, in the first stages of paralytic aifections.|| 
Rue is given in powder, and in the form of extract, confection, 
and essential oil. Dose of either of the former, from ten grains to 
thirty, and of the last from three to five drops. 
Off. The Herb, and Leaves. 
Off. Pp. Conf. Rutffi, L. 
Ext. Rutse, E. 
Ol. Rut«, D. 
CAPSICUM ANNUUM. 
Annual Capsicum, Guinea or Cockspur Pepper.** 
Class Pentandria.— Ort/er Monogynia. 
Nat. Ord. LuridjE, Linn. Solan e^, Juss. 
* Plin. 1. xxviii. c. 8 p. 604. 
t The modern Greeks call this plant by the name of nqyctvov $us-w$£f, and consider it 
a valuable medicine in epilepsy. 
X Callen, Mat. Med. vol. ii. p. 365. 
§ Nouveaax E16mens de Th6rapeutique, vol. ii> p. 550. 
II Ainslie's Materia Indica, vol. i. p. 351. 
** Fig. a. represents a cutting, the leaf blossoms, and young fruit of the natural size. 
b. The corolla spread open to shew the five stamens, c. The pistillum. d. A ripe pod^ 
