Dr. Hancock on Quinine. 321 



depressing passion of fear and perturbed spirits, the place being 

 then besieged by the patriots. The preceding was the method 

 chiefly adopted with both these barks in Spanish Guiana # . 



I at first imagined, that fermentation would deteriorate the 

 powers of the bark ; but experience soon removed my preju- 

 dices. I found withal, that the bark retained its bitterness, 

 its slight astringency, and peculiar odour in this infusion. It 

 would seem that its active constituents, far from being sub- 

 verted, are very materially increased in power by this method ; 

 and there can be little doubt, that its alkaline and febrifuge 

 elements will be evolved and exalted by means of the solvent 

 power of the acid and alcohol which is formed in the process 

 of fermentation. We have reason also to suppose, that the 

 antiseptic powers of the bark are much increased in this pre- 

 paration ; and this, if true, would especially recommend it in 

 foul ulcerations, and in all putrid diseases. It appears to 

 be a very eligible preparation in hospital practice, or where the 

 bark is constantly wanted in considerable quantity; but may 

 be less convenient in individual cases, as it requires some time 

 for the preparation, and may succeed best in some quantity. 

 Of all preparations of the bark, it is certainly the least un- 

 pleasant, being, in all respects, a species of ale or beer. 



The addition of the bueyari bush rope (Aristolochia Gui- 

 anensis) augments the efficacy of the bark in a very eminent 

 degree. I have given the bark, mixed with the infusion of 

 this bitter rope, with marked advantage ; but, more recently, 

 since the idea occurred to me of the peculiar uses of the 

 vitriolic acid as eliciting the febrifuge principle, I have pre- 

 scribed it in a compound infusion, after the following formula. 



Take of good Peruvian bark, well bruised, or recently powdered 5 j. 

 Bueyari stem, well bruised, 3 ij. 

 Ginger root, powdered. 

 Orange or lemon peel, each 3j. 

 Liquorice root, powdered, 3 iij. 



To these ingredients, add first a small glass of brandy or 

 other proof spirit, with ^ij of dilute sulphuric acid or elixir of 



* The same plan was pursued with the sarsaparilla, with which they 

 used to prepare a beverage of extraordinary efficacy in venereal and 

 rheumatic disorders, for they rarely made use of mercury. It was, in- 

 deed, the best kind of sarsa, fresh and genuine from the Rio Negro. 



