CINCHONA. 
28a 
before the Spanish invasion of their territories. The fables that have 
been related on this subject, are not worth recording at the present 
day, as it is certain that this medicine was very little known until 
about 1638, when the lady of the Spanish viceroy of Peru, the Coun- 
tess del Cinchon, was cured of intermittent fever by the use of it.* 
On her recovery, she distributed a large quantity of the bark to the 
Jesuits, by whom it was first introduced into Europe, and in whose 
hands it acquired considerable reputation. Louis XIV., when 
Dauphin, is said to have been one of the first in Europe who expe- 
rienced its efficacy. Notwithstanding this, the use of it was repro- 
bated by many eminent physicians, on its first introduction into 
Europe: and at different periods long after it was considered a 
dangerous remedy. But the use of a remedy is one thing, and the 
abuse of it is another : and we have no doubt that the disrepute into 
which bark fell, was the consequence of its being improperly admi- 
nistered by unskilful practitioners, who are too frequently infatuated 
with newly-discovered nostrums. That there are many cases, and 
many stages of fever, in which the administration of bark would be 
extremely hurtful, is quite certain; but, at the present day, to 
insist upon its virtues as a medicine, would be truly a work of super- 
erogation, and it will only be necessary to state, generally, those 
cases in which bark has been, and still continues to be exhibited. 
It was first introduced into Europe for the cure of intermittent fevers, 
but considerable diff"erences of opinion have prevailed with regard to 
the best mode of exhibition : some practitioners giving it just before 
the fit, others immediately after it, and some during the tit; some 
again have given repeated doses between the fits, and this appears 
from experience to be the most proper, if not the only proper time 
for its exhibition, and is, we believe, the present practice of the 
most eminent of the profession. Dr. Cullen says, " I am satisfied 
that giving a large dose of the bark immediately before the time of 
accession is the most proper practice." However, to enter more 
particularly upon this part of the subject, would be invading the 
province of the medical writer, and we must therefore dismiss it. 
Cinchona has also been used by some practitioners in continued fevers, 
and Dr. Woodville, after remarking that it may be employed with 
equal success in remittent and intermittent fevers, says, " In conti- 
* Hence the name Cinchona ; it has also been called Jesuits' bark, and Cardinal de 
Lugo's powder, this prelate having bought a large quantity of it for the use of th« reli- 
gious poor in Rome. 
VOL. II. 2 S 
