CAPSICUM  , a genus of

plants, the fruits of which are used as peppers (see CAYENNE PEPPER for botany, &c.) . As used in medicine, the ripe fruit of the capsicum mimum (or frutescans), containing the active principle capsaicin (capsacutin), first isolated by Thresh in 1876, has remarkable physiological properties . Applied locally to the skin or mucous membrane, it causes redness and later vesication . Internally in small doses it stimulates gastric secretions and causes dilatation of the vessels; but if used internally in excess for a long period it will cause subacute gastritis . In single doses in excess it causes renal irritation and inflammation and strangury . The administration of capsicum is valuable in atony of the stomach due to chronic alcoholism, its hot stimulating effect not only increasing the appetite but to a certain degree satisfying the craving for alcohol . It is also useful in the flatulency of the aged, where it prevents the development of gas, and has a marked effect on anorexia . It has been used in functional torpidity of the kidney . Externally capsicum plaster placed over the affected muscles is useful in rheumatism and lumbago . Capsicum wool, known as calorific wool, made by dissolving the oleoresin of capsicum in ether and pouring it on to absorbent cotton-wool, is useful in rheumatic affections .