CINCHONA OFFICINALIS. ORD. XIV. Contorte. & 259 
tirely stripped of their bark they soon perish ; and as the number of 
these trees to which access could be had, was said to be not very 
considerable, it has been supposed that a sufficient quantity of bark 
to supply the demand, could not long be procured. Condamine, 
- however, asserts that the young trees do not die by losing their 
bark, but send out fresh shoots from the base, and as those which 
are suffered to become old have time to disseminate and propagate, 
we trust the fear of exhausting this valuable medicine is wholly 
groundless, 
We seem to have no satisfactory account at what time, or by vik 
means, the medicinal efficacy of the Peruvian Bark which is now so 
well established, was first discovered: Some contend that its use in 
intermittent fevers was ktwown to the Americans long before the 
Spaniards possessed Peru, but that they concealed this knowledge 
from the Europeans; and, on the contrary, it is asserted by others, 
that the Peruvians never supposed it to be fit for any medicinal 
use, but thought that the large quantities exported thence was for 
the purpose of dyeing, and they actually made some trials of its 
effects in this way... Condamine says, that according to an ancient 
tradition, the Americans owe the discovery of this remedy to the 
*° being the cutters) with a large knife, and a bag that will hold about fifty pounds 
** of green bark: every two Indians take one tree, whence they cut or slice down 
*¢ the bark, as far as they can reach from the ground; they then take sticks about 
*¢ half a yard long each, which they tie to the tree with tough withs at proper 
** distances, like the steps of a ladder, always slicing off the bark as far as they 
© can reach befcre they fix a new step, and thus mount to the top, the Indian 
*¢ below gathering what the other cuts: this they do by turns, and go from tree to 
* tree until the bag is full, which, when they have plenty of trees, is generally a 
“¢ day’s work for one Indian, As much care as possible must be taken that the 
“ bark is not cut wet; should it so happen, it is to be carried directly down to 
‘¢ the low country to dry; for otherwise it loses its color, turns black, and rots ; 
s¢ and if it lie any time in the hut without being spread, it runs the same risk: so 
*¢ that while the Indians are cutting, the mules if the weather permits ought to be 
mg Serrying it down to the place appointed for drying it, which is done by spread« 
“ ing it in the open air, and frequently turning it.” 1. c. 
* Ulloa Voyage de l Amerioue meridionale. T. i. 271. 
