156 
but the other simples in common use, as well as various othet 
compounds and preparations either in larger or smaller quantities. 
There is no other reason for these irregular sales and pur- 
chases, except that the articles are to be obtained cheaper from 
druggists than from apothecaries; the purchasers, and those 
who send them, not reflecting that such articles are not genuine, 
some of them ill assorted and in worse condition, others adulte- 
rated or of debased quality, as pulverized Peruvian bark, and 
that of the worst quality, the damaged and deteriorated, which 
‘as they cannot be sent in the natural state to the intelligent, 
are all pulverized ; to those which. have tringency or good 
colour are added portions of the very bitter bark of Calisaya, 
and almost always bitter almonds, that they may not waste 
away in dust, and that the colour and flavour may be revived 
to suit the prejudice of the vulgar, who think that the bitterest 
bark is the most efficacious; an error indeed very difficult to 
eradicate from the ignorant multitude, as many persons endea- 
vour to propagate it, for the purpose of vending the quantities 
of bark which unfortunately have been introduced among us by 
merchants, with the view of offering them cheaper than those of 
Loxa fina, Peruviana legitima, Delgadilla, Anteada colorada, 
and that of Calisaya, which have been hitherto acknowledged 
as the most efficacious in medicine. | 2 - 
{ 
é 
Purchasers also find extract of bark to be cheaper with the 
druggists than with the apothecaries ; but they are ignorant that 
it commonly contains one-third part of impurity, and is also 
burnt, and: not of a proper consistency. Having all these defects, 
the current price of the Extract in commerce is three dollars a 
pound, and the merchants and druggists derive greater profit 
from this than from the well elaborated extract, which costs them 
eight or ten dollars a pound. | egies 
