JL

70

Materia Medica.

Part II-

potass, and alum, but not by sulphuric, nitric, or muriaticacid, or silicized potass.

Cayenne pepper is an indiscriminate mixture of the powderof the dried pods of many species of capsicum, but especiallyof the capsicum frutescens, or bird pepper, which is the hot-test of all. Cayenne pepper, as it comes to us in powderfrom the West Indies, changes infusion of turnsole to a beau-tiful green, probably owing to the muriate of soda, which isalways added to it, and to red oxide of lead, with which it issaid to be adulterated.

Medical use. —These peppers have been chiefly used as acondiment. They prevent flatulence from vegetable food, andhave a warm and kindly effect on the stomach, possessing allthe virtues of the oriental spices, without, according to Dr"Wright, producing those complaints in the head which thelatter are apt to occasion. An abuse of them, however, is sup-posed to occasion visceral obstructions, especially of the liver.In the practice of medicine, they constitute one of the simplestand strongest stimulants which can be introduced into thestomach : their action not being followed by any narcotic ef-fects. Dr Wright says, that in dropsical and other com-plaints, where chalybeates are indicated, a minute portion ofpowdered capsicum forms an excellent addition; and he re-commends its use in lethargic affections. It has also been suc-cessfully employed as a gargle in cynanche maligna, when ithas resisted the use of cinchona, wine, and the other remediescommonly employed. Coma and delirium are common at-tendants of tropical fevers; and in such cases, cataplasms ofcapsicum have a speedy and happy effect. They redden theparts, but seldom blister, unless when kept on too long. Inophthalmia from relaxation, the diluted juice of capsicum is asovereign remedy. Dr Adair gave in cachexia Africana six oreight grains for a dose, made into pills ; or he prepared atincture, by digesting half an ounce of the pepper in a poundof alcohol, the dose of which was one or two drachms dilu-ted with water.

I

Carbo ligni recens, s. s.Carbo ligni. Ed. Dub.Charcoal of wood.

Carbo ligni.

Loud.

Charcoal, as it is commonly prepared, is not a purecarbon, but contains also a notable proportion of hydrogen,from which it may be purified by exposing it for some time toa strong heat. Munch directs, that for medical use it.be re-duced to fine powder, and heated in a covered crucible, as