30 Observations and Experiments on Peruvian Bark. 



and by no means an unpleasant dose, what previously was 

 considered the most nauseous and disagreeable medicine, 

 and frequently, from its bulky nature, (when administered in 

 less than ordinary doses,) was rejected by the stomach. 



In consequence of the prevailing endemics, ague and re- 

 mittent fevers, which of late years have visited almost every 

 section of our country, the article cinchona has increased 

 very much in practice and demand, and become one of the 

 most important articles of the materia medica. 



The descriptions which have been given by most authors, 

 to distinguish the many species and varieties of this extensive 

 and important genus, are so imperfect and confused, that 

 they tend rather to involve research in more dense obscurity, 

 than to develop any information. It is admitted, there is no 

 method so well calculated to ascertain, with any degree of 

 certainty, the comparative activity of the different species of 

 Peruvian bark, as that of analysis ; and from this circum- 

 stance, I have made trial of some of the most important 

 species, which now occur in our commerce, for the purpose 

 of determining their qualities, which I have done by extract- 

 ing the alkaline principle, upon which their virtue as a medi- 

 cine entirely depends, and from the product of which, their 

 comparative strength may be accurately and readily ascer- 

 tained. 



It is a source of regret, that many of our country physi- 

 cians so little appreciate the quality of cinchona, as to be 

 governed entirely by the price, which from the following 

 statement, will appear to be the most remote and inaccurate 

 grounds for calculation, as the cheapest or lowest priced bark 

 in the market, is far dearer to the practitioner, and particu- 

 larly to the patient, than that which commands the highest 

 price ; for it not only requires the patient to swallow twelve 

 times the quantity to produce the same effect, independent of 

 the loss of time, but also by charging the stomach, when in a 

 weak and debilitated state, with so large a portion of lig- 

 neous and insoluble matter, may give rise to diseases more 

 serious than those for which it was administered as a remedy. 



The bark of commerce, in this country and in England, is 

 generally designated under the limited nomenclature of red, 

 pale and yellow. There are now no less than twenty five 

 distinct species of cinchona, independent of any additions we 

 may owe to the zeal of Humboldt and Bonpland, as well as 

 of Mr. A. T. Thompson, who states, that in a large collection 



