26 Dr. Hancock on the Angustura Bark Tree. 



ter, it assumed the form, in many cases, of true yellow fever, 

 with vomit o prieto. 



I had the appointment of Medico tie Sanidad in the harbour, 

 which is about 260 miles up the river, and had an opportunity 

 of observing this disease in all its various shapes. I had also 

 the care of the Military Hospital in 1817, during the absence 

 of the garrison-surgeon, Don Pablo Gonzalez, and had seldom 

 less than 60 or 70 patients with fever, dropsy, and dysentery. 

 The number of hydropic patients was almost incredible. It was 

 distressing to see them dying along the streets of Angustura 

 from the effects of fever and want of food, the town being be- 

 sieged by the patriot forces under General Bolivar. 



In March, 1817, the mortality increasing, our stock of Cin- 

 chona was soon expended, and we had no other resort but to 

 the Quina de Carony, of which there was a large supply in the 

 town. It was prepared nearly as prescribed by those who were 

 there termed Curiosos, or the native doctors. 



Into a large jug, containing about six gallons, we put one 

 pound of coarsely-powdered bark, with an equal quantity of 

 brown sugar, filled it nearly with boiling water, and added 

 about four ounces of wheaten bread to hasten fermentation. It 

 was then stopped close, placed in the sun, and shaken fre- 

 quently. As soon as fermentation was well begun, it was con- 

 sidered fit for use, and administered in the quantity of from 

 four to six ounces to the dose, three or four times a day. 



The success of this seemingly odd preparation was very re- 

 markable. The irregular paroxysms of fever were suspended 

 on the second or third day after commencing its use. The 

 number of deaths of patients from fever was soon diminished 

 to one fourth of that which before fell victims to this dreadful 

 scourge ; though prior to this time it was gradually on the 

 increase. In the month preceding the adoption of the Cortex 

 Angustura}, fifty-three persons died of fever : the month follow- 

 ing, there were but fourteen, and several of these were in a 

 dying state when they began to use the Burk. 





