CAPSICUM ANNUUM. 
9S 
Spirit of wine extracts the acrid and pungent principle^ but 
when distilled ofF, the spirit passes over deprived of this principle, 
leaving an acid orange-coloured resinous substance, which has lately 
been considered as a vegetable alkali (named Capsicine) ; this sub- 
stance is readily soluble in water, and extremely acrid. 
Cayenne Pepper. This substance, as it comes tons from the 
West Indies, is a mixture of many different species of Capsicum, 
but chiefly the pods of the Capsicum Frutescens, (a shrubby plant) 
commonly known by the names of Barbary or bird's-eye pepper, 
which is the hottest species of Capsicum ;* to this, muriate of soda 
is always added. The cayenne pepper of commerce changes infusion 
of turnsol to a beautiful green; this is owing to the muriate of soda, 
or red oxide of lead, which is said to be sometimes mixed with it 
also.f 
Economical Uses, &c. Cayenne pepper is in general use as a 
condiment, and when taken with moderation, is perhaps preferable 
to the Eastern spices ; it prevents flatulence from vegetable food, 
and promotes digestion ; although taken to excess, it is supposed to 
produce visceral obstructions. 
In hot climates, particularly the West Indies J and some parts of 
Spanish America, capsicum is eaten both with animal and vegetable 
food, in very large quantities ; in Peru especially, it enters so 
abundantly into their sauces, that to a person unaccustomed to 
it, their taste is intolerably hot. 
• Medical Properties and Uses. Capsicum as a medicine, 
is one of the most simple and pfowerful stimulants we possess, its 
action not being followed by any narcotic effects ; hence, in all 
diseases where a strong stimulant is indicated, we may expect 
decided benefit from its use ; it has been found a powerful remedy in 
the Cynanche Maligna, taken internally and used also as a gargle. 
In loss of speech arising from paralysis of the tongue, a gargle com- 
posed of capsicum, and used several times a day, has been prescribed 
with decided success. § Bergius says that in obstinate agues, 
taken immediately before the cold stage was coming on, it has 
, * Tliis species of capsicum, called bj the English, Chillie, is cultivated in every 
part of India on account of the pod, or rather pod-like berr^', and is much used by the 
natives as a warm seasoner. In the island of Ceylon there are varieties of the Capsicam 
Frutescens, red, yellow, and black. — Ainslie's Materia Indica, vol. i. p. 306. et seq. 
+ Red lead may be detected, by digesting a portion of the cayenne in acetic acid, to 
■which add snlphuret of ammonia, which will produce a dark coloured precipitate if lead 
be present. Ed. 
X Vide Brown's Jamaica, p. 176. 
$ Vide Case by F. Bassett.-— Lancet, vol ii. p. 29. 
