562 



MANUAL OF THE NILAGIRI DISTRICT. 



CH. XXX. 



Chinchona 



ClLTLRE. 



Alkaloid 



value^ the product cost more tliaii ordinary quinine ; whilst as 

 prepared and issued, it was of uncertain composition, sometimes 

 rich in quinine, at others chinchonidine and chinchonine predomi- 

 nating. The Government accordingly resolved to abandon the 

 manufacture. Mr. Broughton thereupon, January 1875, resigned 

 his appointment and left the country. The manufacture has not 

 since been resumed, nor has a scientific chemist been appointed to 

 observe the history of the ti-ees. Rather less than 1,000 lb. of 

 Amorjjhous Qid nine vfixs -prodnced during the continuance of the 

 manufactory. 



The financial results connected with this experiment may be 



manufactory. ^Q^g]^]y estimated as follows : — 

 Receipts. 



RS. 



Value of 922 lb. amorphous 



quinine manufactured' ... 30,737 

 Excess expenditure balance... 1,71,703 



Eipenditure. 



Salary of Qninologist 



Establishment and laboratory. 

 Cost of manufacture, including 

 buildings— 



(a) Ootacaniand ... 11,735 



(b) Neduwattam... 21,458 



RS. 



79,027 

 18,125 



Bark supplied 

 rates) 



(at market 



72,095 



Analysis of 

 barks. 



Total ... 2,02,440 Total ... 2,02,440 



During Mr. Broughton's service systematic analyses of the 

 barks of the several kinds of chinchona grown on the Hills were 

 conducted with special reference to mode of culture, site, 

 elevation, age of trees, and the seasons of gathering the bark. 

 Numerous analyses of specimens sent to England, by Messrs. 

 Howard and DeVriz, exist, but the results are so varying and 

 conflicting as to be of little use except to the specialist. A 

 complete comparative history of the analysis of each variety 

 under known variations of age, culture, &c., remains to be 

 perfected. 



The highest yield of alkaloids discovered by Mr. Broughton was 

 on Doddabetta in 1868 in the variety of species of G. condaminea 

 known as angustifolia, amounting to no less than 11 '50 per cent, 

 of total alkaloids, of which 10-13 per cent, were crystallised 

 sulphate of quinine. A higher percentage still of alkaloids, namely, 

 12-30, is reported to have been obtained by Mr. Mclvor from 

 a hybrid known as G. i^ubescens ; but although Mr. Howard stated 



J This calculation is based on the supposition that each pound contained in 

 five parts, 1 of crystalHzable quinine, 2 of chinchonidine, 1 of chinchonine i.nd 

 1 of uncrystallizable residue. * * * If the amorphous quinine is taken to 

 have displaced an equal weight of quinine at l.SO*-. a pound, its actual value to 

 Government will liave been Rupees 59,930. (Sec note ou the Chiiiclioua 

 Plantations.^ 



