C >96 ] 
argument both for and againft thefe imaginary qua- 
lities of it ; for, on one hand, as intermittents are 
very common, it was reafonable to fuppofe, that what 
was defigned for their cure, fhould be as common and 
as eafy to be procured. But then, on the other hand, 
it feemed probable, that, if there was any considerable 
virtue in this bark, it muff have been discovered from 
its plenty. My curiofity prompted me to look into 
into the difpenfatories and books of botany, and ex- 
amine what they faid concerning it; but there it ex- 
ited only by name. I could not find, that it hath, or 
ever had, any place in pharmacy, or any fuch qualities, 
as I fufpe&ed afcribed to it by the botanifts. 
However, I determined to make fome experiments 
with it ; and, for this purpofe, I gathered that fummer 
near a pound*weight of it, which I dryed in a bag,, 
upon theoutfide of a baker’s oven, for more than three 
months, at which time it was to be reduced to a 
powder, by pounding and fifting after the manner 
that other barks are pulverized. 
It was not long before I had an opportunity of 
making a trial of it ; but, being an entire ftranger to its 
nature, I gave it in very fmall quantities, I think it 
was about twenty grains of the powder at a dofe, and 
repeated it every four hours between the fits ; but with 
great caution and the ftrideft attention to its effedtst 
the fits were confiderably abated, but did not entirely 
ceafe. Not perceiving the lead: ill confequences, I grew 
bolder with it, and in a few days encreafed the dofe 
to two fcruples, and the ague was foon removed. 
It was then given to feveral others with the fame 
fuccefs; but I found it better anfwered the intention, 
when a dram of it was taken every four hours in the 
intervals of the paroxifms. 
I have 
