_Cubebs_, or _Java Pepper_.
This Indian spice, a native of Java, formerly held a place in our
materia medica, and entered into the composition of _mithridate_ and
_theriaca_, but being inferior in pungency and aromatic warmth to
pepper, it fell into disuse. Lately, however, it has been ushered into
surgical practice for the cure of gonorrhœa, with all the extravagance
of praise which usually attends the revival of an old, or the
introduction of a new medicine.[482] It has been pronounced to be a
specific in this complaint, if taken in the early stages, in the dose of
a dessert-spoonful three times a day, in a sufficient quantity of
water.[483] The Indians have been long acquainted with the influence
which cubebs exerts upon these organs; thus Garcias, “_Apud Indos
cubebarum in vino maceratarum est usus ad exitandam venerem_.” CHEMICAL
COMPOSITION. M. Vauquelin has lately made a very accurate analysis of
this pepper, from which its composition may be stated as follows: 1. A
volatile oil, which is nearly solid.—2. A resin, _resembling Balsam of
Copaiba_.—3. Another and coloured resin.—4. A coloured gummy matter.—5.
An extractive principle, similar to that which is found in leguminous
plants.—6. Some saline substances. He considers the resin _resembling
the Copaiba_, to be the peculiar matter in which that property resides,
which imparts to it the power of curing gonorrhœa. As the qualities of
this spice do not reside in volatile elements, an extract made with
rectified spirit will be found to possess the whole of its virtues. The
French, in their new _Codex Medicamentarius_, have introduced the cubebs
into their list of materia medica. There is a precaution, with respect
to the exhibition of Cubebs, which it is important for the practitioner
to remember—to keep the bowels thoroughly open; for where hardened fæces
are allowed to accumulate, the spice insinuates itself into the mass,
and produces excoriations in the rectum. ADULTERATIONS. The “Turkey
Yellow Berries,” i. e. the dried fruit of the _Rhamnus Catharticus_, are
often substituted for the Cubebs, and the similarity between them is so
great, that the casual observer may be easily deceived.
CUMINI[484] SEMINA. L. Cumin Seeds.
QUALITIES. _Odour_, strong, heavy, and peculiar; _Taste_, bitterish and
warm. CHEMICAL COMPOSITION. Gum, resin, and a yellow pungent oil, upon
which the peculiar properties of the seeds depend. SOLUBILITY. Water
does not extract more than their odour, but alcohol dissolves all the
principles in which their virtues reside, and leaves upon evaporation a
powerful extract. MEDICINAL USES. Carminative and stomachic; they are
however but rarely used, except as an ingredient in plasters.
CUPRI SULPHAS. L.E.D. Sulphate of Copper.
vulgo _Blue Vitriol_. _Blue Copperas._
QUALITIES. _Form_, crystals, which are rhomboidal prisms. _Colour_, a
deep rich blue. _Taste_, harsh, acrid, and styptic; they slightly
effloresce; when treated with sulphuric acid, no effervescence occurs, a
circumstance which at once distinguishes this salt from _Œrugo_.
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION. According to the latest experiments, it is an
_oxy-sulphate_, consisting of one proportional of peroxide with two
proportionals of sulphuric acid, and when crystallized, it contains ten
proportionals of water; its beautiful colour depends on this last
ingredient. SOLUBILITY. It is soluble in four parts of water at 60, and
in less than two at 212°; the solution shews an excess of acid by
reddening litmus. In alcohol it is insoluble. INCOMPATIBLE SUBSTANCES.
_Alkalies and their carbonates_; _sub-borate of soda_; _acetate of
ammonia_; _tartrate of potass_; _muriate of lime_; _nitrate of silver_;
_sub-acetate, and acetate of lead_; _oxy-muriate of mercury_; _all
astringent vegetable infusions and tinctures_. Iron immersed in the
solution, precipitates copper in a metallic form; hence the exhibition
of the filings of iron has been proposed as an antidote.[485] MEDICINAL
USES. It is emetic from grs. ij to xv. tonic gr. 1/4; it is, however,
but rarely used internally except as an emetic; externally it is
employed as an escharotic; and, in solution, as a stimulant to foul
obstinate ulcers.[487] In the proportion of half a drachm to eight
ounces of rose water, it forms a lotion which has been found very
efficacious in phagedenic ulcers of the face, and in allaying itching
when attended with erysipelatous inflammation about the anus and labia
pudendi. It is also a styptic when applied in solution. OFFICINAL
PREPARATION. _Solut. Cupri Sulphat. com._ E. _Cuprum Ammoniatum_ L.E.D.
(=I=) (_Form. 68._)