Dr. Hancock on Quinine. 323 



This method, it is presumed, may be found very useful in 

 similar pharmaceutic operations, as combining to a consider- 

 able extent, and at a trifling expense, the advantage of both 

 the spirituous and aqueous menstrua. Since the idea oc- 

 curred to me, I have tried it on various other substances. It 

 is necessary to witness the effect, in order to believe how much 

 this small quantity of alcohol, previously added, will forward 

 the evolution of the more active principles of vegetables. By 

 this method of preparation we are sure of retaining all the 

 active elements of the bark in solution. 



The infusion may be taken in the dose of a wine-glass 

 full once in two, three, four, six, to twenty-four hours, accord- 

 ing to the intention or urgency of the case in hand *. When 



* I may here notice a fact which has often struck me forcibly, viz. that 

 the vegetable infusions in general, whether febrifuges or general tonics, 

 cathartics, alteratives, &c, are found to be sensibly more efficacious when 

 taken warm : there is one direct proof I can adduce of this position in 

 the well known action of infusion of chamomile. 



This we find prescribed in a cold infusion as a stomachic. (Brande's 

 " Manual of Pharmacy.") Its emetic property, taken in a tepid state, is 

 well known. I have been told, that the country-people, in certain parts 

 of England, as about Wootton, in Oxfordshire especially, frequently use 

 a strong infusion of chamomile as a cathartic, taking it at bed-time, as 

 hot as it can well be swallowed, and that, in this way, it does not produce 

 emeses, but, as we should naturally infer, acts presently as a potent 

 sudorific ; and the following morning as a gentle but effectual purgative. 

 This is a very common resort, as I am assured by a young man ac- 

 quainted with that part of the country, Mr. E. Charles Prince ; and 

 it is there considered as one of the best of remedies in indigestions, colic 

 pains, and obstructions of the bowels, especially when arising from cold, 

 which we know to be the more common exciting cause of those dis- 

 orders. 



To this I may add, that the caroni bark (Galipea off.) is employed 

 in a fresh state by the natives on the place of its habitat, precisely in 

 the same manner, and with the same effects, as just noticed of the 

 chamomile ; and analogous to this, — a cup of strong coffee, taken hot 

 on an empty stomach, will often produce a similar effect, and that very 

 speedily and pleasantly, ' cito, tuto t et jucunde ' ; in respect to time, 

 indeed, presenting a singular anomaly with the tardy operation of the 

 chamomile. 



This, perhaps, is explainable, with respect to vegetables in general, 

 mainly upon the well-known fact, that hot water will take up and hold 

 more of their active principles in solution, than it can do when cold; yet, 

 this is probably not the only reason, — it is partly owing, no doubt, to 

 their more perfectly assimilating and entering the circulation, in this more 

 perfect state of solution ; at all events it is certain, that the temperature, 

 m which we exhibit the vegetable infusion, appears to be a matter of 

 more importance than is generally imagined. 



