CINCHONA OFFICINALIS. ORD. XIV. Contorte. 265. 
spirit of wine: Mild vegetable alkali: Lime-water. The antiscep- 
tic powers of vinegar and’ bark united are double their sum taken 
separately. The astrit ngent power of the bark is increased by acid 
of vitriol; the bitter taste is destroyed by it. 
Though the bark on its first introduction, and -evyen some time’ 
afterwards, was reprobated by some eminent physicians as a dan- 
gerous remedy; yet these prejudices are entirely done away, and its 
character is now universally established: so that the disputes which 
at present subsist are confined to its mode of operation, or the 
manner in which it is most efficaciously administered. To detail’ 
these, however, or even to give a circumstantial relation of the 
various states of disease in which the bark might be advantageously 
employed, would far exceed our limits: we are therefore confined: 
to state briefly those diseases to which this medicine is more espe- 
cially adapted. 
The bark first acquired its reputation for the cure of intermittent 
fevers, and in these, when properly exhibited, it rarely fails of suc- 
cess. For this purpose, some practitioners prefer giving it just’ 
before the fit, some during the fit, and others immediately after. 
Dr. Cullen, who is of the first opinion, says, “ I am satisfied that 
giving a large dose of the bark immediately before the time of 
-accession, is the most proper practice: but as that dose must not 
be under two drams of pale bark, so there are some stomachs which 
will not bear even that quantity, ora larger. that might be ne- 
cessary. It is commonly, therefore, convenient to g ve small doses, 
but to aye them every hour for some hours near to the times of | 
accession.”" Some again order it in the quantity of an ounce 
between the fits; the dose being more frequent and larger, accord- 
ing to the frequency of the fits; and this mode of pr ceeds. al- 
though it may perhaps lead to the employment of more bark :han 
is necessary, is considered by Dr. Duncan® as upon theywhole 
preferable, from being best suited to most stomachs. When the 
bark pukes, or purges, or oppresses the stomach, it is to be coun~ 
= Mat. Med. p. 97. ~— ° See New Edinburgh Dispensatory. 
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