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ELEMENTS OF MATERIA MEDICA.

Physiological Effects. —Pepper is one of the acrid spices wb°^general effects have been already noticed (p. 127). Its great acridd.'recognized when we apply it to the tongue. On the skin it acts ^

rubefacient and vesicant (Richard, Diet, de Med. t. xvii. p-

307)-

Swallowed, it stimulates the stomach, creates a sensation of warmth 1this viscus, and, when used in small doses, assists the digestive functm ’but, if given in large quantities, induces an inflammatory cond'ti .Thirty white pepper-corns, taken for a stomach complaint, ^ nl \ UL j' 0 rviolent burning pain, thirst, and accelerated pulse, which continuedthree days, until the fruits were evacuated (Wibmer, Arzneim. u- wy./Bd. iv. S. 220). Wendt, Lange, and Jager (quoted by Wibmer, Op- ^S. 119), have also reported cases in which inflammatory symptoms supvened after the use of pepper. On the vascular and secerning sys lpepper acts as a stimulant. It accelerates the frequency of the P 11 *promotes diaphoresis, and acts as an excitant to the mucous surfsOn one of my patients (a lady) the copious use of pepper induces buru 1 °heat of skin, and a few spots of Urticaria evanida usually on the if“ I have seen,” says Van Swieten ( Commentaries , vol. v. p. 57, &Transl.) “ a most ardent and dangerous fever raised in a person who **swallowed a great quantity of beaten pepper.” It has long been reg ar jas a stimulant for the urino-genital apparatus. The opinion is supp°. rby the well-known influence of the peppers over certain morbid condidof these organs. Moreover, the beneficial effect of pepper in s0I e ,affections of the rectum leads us to suspect that this viscus is also beficially influenced by these fruits. ^

Uses. —It is employed as a condiment, partly for its flavour, parti.',its stimulant influence over the stomach, by which it assists dig eSAs a gastric stimulant it is a useful addition to difficultly-dig est * t0foods, as fatty and mucilaginous matters, especially in persons subjecstomach complaints from a torpid or atonic condition of this viscus- ^fused in ardent spirit it is a popular remedy for preventing the retu 1 ® ithe paroxysms of intermittent fevers, given shortly before the eX H q s eSattack. The practice is not recent, for Celsus (lib. iii. cap. 12) acl ' ( 0 fwarm water with pepper to relieve the cold fit. The febrifuge p 0 '' tfll .this spice has been fully proved, in numerous cases, by L. Frank (y° jjj.Complem. du Diet, des Scienc. Med. t. viii. p. 371); Meli, ibid.p. 124) Riedmiiller, (Dierbach ), and others ; though Schmitz (■*•.Magaz. Bd. xiv.) denies it. Barbier ( Traite Elem. de Mat. Med- 2t. ii. p. 57) says, that in some instances, where large doses were exluf te utdeath occurred in consequence of the aggravation of a pre-es 1 ^ . g>gastritis. It has been employed in gonorrhoea as a substitute for cUIn relaxed uvula, paralysis of the tongue, and other affections 0mouth or throat requiring the use of a powerful acrid, pepper i» a J ^employed as a masticatory. In the form of ointment it is used ^application to tinea capitis. Mixed with mustard it is empl°yincrease the acridity of sinapisms. of

Administration. —The dose of black pepper (either of copowder) is from five to fifteen grains; the powder may be given in tb eof pills.

£

1. Confectio Piperis nigri, L. D.; Electuarium Piperis, E- n elPepper, Elecampane-root [Liquorice-root in powder, E.] aa. lb. j-» jj e jitsseeds, lb. iij.; Honey; White Sugar, aa. lb. ij. Rub the dry ingf' e