578 ORD. XXXII. Gruinales. QUASSIA AMARA, 
« gestion in the hepatic system, and the debility at the same 
“ time, discouraged copious evacuations.”—-And in many fevers 
without evident remissions to warrant the use of the bark, whilst 
at the same time increasing debility began to threaten the life of 
‘the patient, the Doctor found that Quassia, or snake-root, singly 
or combined, “ upheld the vital powers, and promoted a critical 
“© intermission of fever,” by which an opportunity was offered for 
the bark to effect a cure." It may be given in infusion, or in pills 
made from the watery extract, the former is generally preferred 
in the proportion of three or four drams of the wood to twelve 
“ounces of water. 
» See Memoirs of the Med. Society, vob. i. p. 150. 
Dr. Cullen says, “¢ I believe Quassia to be an excellent bitter, and that it will 
do all that any pure and simple bitter can do; but our experience of it in this 
country does not lead us to think it will do more; and the extraordinary com. 
mendations given of it are to be ascribed to the partiality so often shewn to new 
medicines.” Mat. Med. v. ii. p. 74.. 
