Capsicum Annuum

Capsicum possesses few, if any, of the narcotic properties of the Solanaceae, but it has, highly marked, the irritating properties of the group in high degree; but little of the drug is required to produce this irritation. It is eliminated from the body through the kidneys, producing strangury with burning when passing water. This drug acts best in persons of lax fibre, rather stout in build, who do not re- spond readily to medicine because they are of lax fibre, and also be- cause of impaired digestion.

The Capsicum patient has weak digestion or weak stomach, hence the whole man is weak. Such patients are irritable and easily an- gered. This is true of either adults or children. They are worse from the least draft of air, even though this air be warm. They are clumsy in their motions.

glonoin. 435

They are subject to chills and fever. The chill commences in the back. Although the patient is thirsty, yet drinking causes shivering.

The Capsicum patient is subject to catarrhal asthma with red face and well-marked sibilant rales. He coughs, and a successful cough raises phlegm, which relieves the asthma.

Capsicum has a symptom of the chest not often met with in practice, and that is very offensive breath during the cough.

It also has a well-marked action on the ear, especially on the middle ear. It is of use in rupture of the membrana tympani from disease when there is soreness or inflammation of the mastoid process of the temporal bone.

For abscess of the mastoid process the preferable remedies are Aurum and Nit?ic acid.

For chronic suppuration of the middle ear you may think of Silicea.

Capsicum is of importance in diseases of the throat. It is indicated in diphtheria or in gangrene of the throat when there are burning blisters in the roof of the mouth and when there is an odor from the mouth like that of carrion. The throat feels constricted as if spas- modically closed. The patient is worse when not swallowing and in extreme cases greatly prostrated.

The most similar remedy here is Cantharis.

Capsicum is also indicated in elongation of the uvula.

In dysentery it is indicated when the stools are frequent but small and attended with violent tenesmus and burning in both rectum and bladder. The stools are bloody and slimy and contain shaggy pieces. There is thirst, and yet drinking causes shuddering.