Pepper  is  also  extensive
ly  employed  in  medicine
m  the  form  of  an  oint-
ment mixed  with  lard,
against  tinea  capitis,  m
relaxed  uvula,  and  pa-
ralysis of  the  tongue  ;
and  infused  in  spirit  and
water  it  is  a  popular
remedy  agamst  the  re-
tm-n  of  a  paroxysm  of
intermitting  fever.  It
has  been  recommended
by  the  Italians  for  this
pm'pose,  and  is  said  to
be  more  certain  and
speedy,  and  also  milder
in  its  operation  than  the
Cinchona  alkalies.  See  Pereii'a  in  Med.  Cfaz.  xx.  1 80.  In  excessive  doses  Pepper  is  a
dangerous  stimulant.  The  fruit  of  Piper  trioicum  is  said  to  be  still  more  pungent.  The
female  spikes  of  Chavica  Roxburghii  (Piper  longum),  dried,  form  the  long  pepper  of  the
shops.  The  root  and  thickest  part  of  the  stems  cut  into  small  slices  and  dried,  are  much
consumed   for   medical   purposes  in  India  under  the  name  of  Pippula  Moola.      The


Fig.  CCCLIV.
Pig.  CCCLIV.— Artanthe  elongata.— PAa^vH.  Journal.
518


PIPERACE^.
[HVPOGYNOUS  EXOGENS.
effects  of  Long  Pepper  are  analogous  to  those  of  Black  Pepper ;  some  consider  it  less
powerful,  others  are  agreed  in  its  being  the  more  acrid  of  the  two.  Chavica  Chaba,
pepuloides,  and  sylvatica,  are  employed  in  India  as  substitutes  for  tliis  sort  of  Pep-
per. In  tropical  America  similar  uses  are  made  of  Charica  officinarum  (P.  Amalago),
Artanthe  advmca,  Peltobryon  longifohum,  Artanthe  trichostachya,  and  crocata.  The
aromatic  roots  of  many  species  are  officinal  in  some  countries.  A  decoction  of  Artanthe
eucalyptifolia  is  used  in  Brazil  as  a  cure  for  colic,  pains  in  the  limbs,  and  flatulence.
