Dr. Hancock on Quinine. 327 



disgusting, especially if at the end of the operation, you agitate 

 With the infusion three or four drops of the essential oil of 

 cinnamon, or of cassia, dissolved in a little brandy. 



One ounce of good bark, prepared in the foregoing manner, 

 will generally be found sufficient to remove an intermittent, 

 especially if taken warm, and freely, just before the expected 

 return of the paroxysm. The cost of the articles will be a 

 mere trifle. In want of the bitter rope, the lignum quassise 

 will be found a good substitute, and may be used in the same 

 proportion *. 



In conclusion, I must apologize for the length and imper- 

 fections of this paper ; I can only hope it will serve as an 

 inducement to abler minds, to investigate the important subject 

 of which it treats. 



J. H. 



* Huxham's celebrated prescription, which still holds its credit in medi- 

 cal practice, was a vinous tincture of the bark with orange-peel, snake- 

 root, saffron, and cochineal, which he directed to be given in wine and 

 water with addition of elixir of vitriol, and which, he observed, he had 

 long used with success in intermittent and slow nervous fevers, as well 

 as in the putrid, pestilential, and petechial. He says, that " although 

 very profuse sweats may be hurtful in those and other fevers, yet gentle 

 and moderate sweats are ever to be encouraged by diluents. And, as 

 these fevers are frequently long protracted, and thus exhaust the patient, 

 it is requisite to support the strength with liquid nourishment and generous 

 old wine, acidulated with lemon juice, and impregnated with aromatics, 

 as cinnamon, orange-rind, red roses, and a few drops of elixir of vitriol, 

 &c." He adds, that " the Asiatics and other nations, among whom 

 pestilential disorders are much more rife than with us, lay more stress 

 on the juice of lemons than on the most celebrated alexipharmic." (See 

 •• Huxham on Fevers," p. 122.) — This remark is verified with respect 

 to the popular treatment of these disorders amongst the French and 

 Spaniards in the tropical parts of America; and this practice, together 

 with the use of baths and frictions, is attended with much greater 

 success, than that which results from the common European practice with 

 calomel, antimonials, strong purgatives, &c. 



The compound tincture, with elixir of vitriol, Huxham called an excel- 

 lent antiseptic alexipharmic, which it really is ; but there can be no doubt 

 its efficacy would be much augmented by previously adding the acid. 



Though the foregoing remarks may be thought not entirely relevant 

 here, yet it is hoped that the experience of Dr. Huxham will be a suf- 

 ficient apology for the brief mention of his opinions. 



