112 
ON MATICO. 
the tongue and throat, and from which I have succeeded in 
obtaining a crystallizable principle, in a state of great purity, 
which I consider as identical with piperine, although its 
mode of crystallization is somewhat different — a difference 
probably caused by the quantity operated upon. I hope 
shortly to be able to present to the society a chemical history 
of this substance, and the result of some trials made to as- 
certain its medicinal properties ; for if we believe the ac- 
counts given by travellers, a strong infusion will produce 
stimulating and sedative effects, lasting for twenty-four 
hours, and leaving the patient in profuse perspiration — ef- 
fects which render it eminently worthy of medical investi- 
gation. The abuse of it by the natives of the Tonga Islands, 
who are passionately fond of it, is said to render them thin 
and emaciated, and they are reported to use it to counteract 
great obesity ; but all these statements require confirmation. 
Mons. Lesson, in the Bulletin des Sciences Medicals, 
published about twenty years since, a curious notice of this 
plant, which he states is also employed in Carolina by the 
natives to prepare a drink which they call Scheaka : he 
mentions its use by them in rheumatism, and diseases of 
the genital organs, and terminates with the following ob- 
servations : 
" The English Apothecaries have recently introduced the 
cava root into all their shops, and extol the tincture as a 
remedy in chronic rheumatism, &c. Numerous ships are 
now employed in transporting this root to England." 
Where Mons. Lesson obtained his information I know 
not ; he would certainly have found it difficult to obtain this 
root of any Apothecary or Chemist, although it has been 
employed in England without any very accurate experi- 
ments having been made. 
Lond. Pharm. Journ. 
