CORTEX CASCARILLiE. 561 



Hesse (1878) assigns to euphorbon the formula C^'H-^0, and points 

 out that its solutions in chloroform or ether are dextrogyrate. 



As to the mucilage of euphorbium, it may be obtained from that 

 portion of the drug which has been exhausted by cold alcohol and 

 by ether. Neutral acetate of lead, as well as silicate or borate of 

 sodium, precipitate this mucilage, which therefore does not agi-ee with 

 gum arable. 



If an aqueous extract of euphorbium is mixed with spirit of wine, 

 and the liquid evaporated, the residual matter assumes a somewhat 

 crystalline appearance, and exhibits the reactions of Malic Acid. 

 Subjected to diy distillation, white scales and acicular crystals of 

 Maleic and Fumnric Acids, produced by the decomposition of the 

 malic acid, are sublimed into the neck of the retort. A sublimate of 

 the same kind may sometimes be obtained directly by heating frag- 

 ments of euphorbium. Among the mineral constituents of the drug, 

 chloride of sodium and calcium are noticeable ; scarcely any salt of 

 potassium is present. 



Commerce — The drug is shipped from Mogador. The quantity 

 imported into the United Kingdom in 1870 is given in the Annual 

 Statevient of Trade as 12 cwt. 



Uses — Euphorbium was formerly employed as an emetic and pur- 

 gative, but as an internal remedy it is completely obsolete. We have 

 been told that it is now in some demand as an ingredient of a paint for 

 the preservation of ships' bottoms. 



CORTEX CASCARILLiE. 



Cortex Meutherice ; Cascarilla Bark, Siveet Wood Bark, Eleuihera * 

 Bark ; F. Ecorce de Cascarille ; G. CascaAll-Rinde. 



Botanical Origin — Groton Eluteria Bennett," a shrub or small 

 tree, exclusively native of the Bahama Islands. 



History — It is not improbable that cascarilla bark was imported 

 into Europe in the first half of the 17th century, as there was much 

 intercourse subsequent to the year 1630 between England and 

 the Bahamas.^ These islands were occupied in 1641 by the 

 Spaniards, who became at that time acquainted with the 

 Peruvian bark or Cascarilla (see page 346), as we have shown 

 at page 343. The external appearance of the bark of Eluteria 

 being somewhat similar to that of Cinchona quills, the former 

 began soon to be known under the name of China nova. This 



^ From Eleuthera, one of the Bahama documents, particular mention is made of 



Islands, so named from the Greek tXfuOf.'io?, the introduction, actual or attempted, of 



signifyingyVee or independent. useful plants, as cotton, tobacco, fig, pepper, 



-Bentley and Trimen's Med. Plants, pomegranate, palma Christi, mulberry, flax, 



parti. (1875). indigo, madder, and jalap; and there is 



' In that year a patent was granted by also frequent allusion to the importation of 



< harles I. for the incorporation of a Com- the produce of the islands, but no mention 



pany for colonizing the Bahama Islands, oi Cascarilla. See Calendar o/State Papers. 



and a complete record is extant of the pro- Colonial Series, 1574-1660, edited by Saiiis- 



ceedings of the Company for the first eleven bury, Lond. 1860. pp. 146. 148. 149. 164. 



years of its existence. In some of the 168. 185. etc. 



2 N 



