356 
ABSTRACTS ANU GLEANINGS IN BOTANY, 
1st. Of all the alkaloids contained in opium, narceine possesses hypnotic 
power to the greatest extent. In the great majority of cases neither morphia 
nor codeia produced so long or so profound a sleep. 
2nd. Narceine causes, only in a very feeble degree, the physiological pheno¬ 
mena consequent upon the sleep produced by morphia and the salts of that 
base. Besides, the perspiration is much less abundant than after the use of 
opiates. Vomiting is rare; nausea and loss of appetite more common. Narceine, 
in its action upon the intestines, differs sensibly from morphia; instead of 
causing obstinate constipation, its effect, in small doses, is that of a gentle 
aperient; in larger doses it causes diarrhoea. 
3rd. Narceine relieves pain, like all opiates. 
Among the different effects produced upon the secreting organs, that upon 
the kidneys is nearly constant. Anurea, to a greater or less extent, is noticed, 
particularly after rather large doses. Perhaps this peculiar action of narceine 
might be turned to account in the treatment of incontinence of urine in children. 
On the Febrifuge Properties of the Leaves of Cinchona, 
The following Report, recently presented to the Madras Government by Dr. 
Chipperfield, Acting Physician of the General Hospital, “ On the febrifuge pro¬ 
perties of the leaves of Cinchona,” is abstracted from the ‘ Madras Quarterly 
Journal of Medical Science: ’— 
“ 1. On the 29th of November, 1865,” says Dr. Chipperfield, “I received two wax¬ 
cloth parcels, containing, the one 8 lbs. of the leaves of Cinchona succiruhra, and the 
other 8 lbs. of the leaves of Cinchona Condaminea, with instructions to make trial of 
various preparations of these leaves in cases of fever. The leaves were not in such a 
fresh state as I expected to find them, but were so nearly dry as to be capable of being 
rubbed into a coarse powder, 
“ 2. I wrote out the following formulae, and gave them to the Superintendents of 
the Dispensing Department, for their guidance :— 
I. Cold Infusion of Cinchona leaves. 
Take of Leaves of Cinchona, oz. 
Diluted Sulphuric acid, i oz. 
Cold water, 20 oz. 
Infuse for twelve hours and strain. 
II. Acid De’oction of Cinchona leaves. 
Take of Cinchona Leaves 1^ oz. 
Diluted Sulphuric acid, ^ oz. 
Cold water, 20 oz. 
Boil for ten minutes and strain. 
III. Stronger Decoction of Cinchona leaves. 
Take of Cinchona leaves, 1 oz. 
Cold water, 6 oz. 
Boil for ten minutes and strain. 
“ 3. There was some waste in consequence of decomposition occurring in the infusion, 
which was necessarily kept ready prepared in case of its being required; but by 
management this waste was reduced to the lowest possible amount. 
“ 4. The appended table shows the result of the trial. Preparation No. I. was pre¬ 
pared entirely from the Cinchona succiruhra, and was administered in doses of 3 or 4 
ounces, three times daily, in cases Nos. 1 to 12 in the table. 
5. Preparation No. II. was prepared partly from the Cinchona succiruhra, and partly 
from the Cinchona Condammea, and was administered in doses of 4 ounces, thrice daily, 
in cases 13 to 20. 
“ 6. Preparation No. III. was prepared entirely from the Cinchona Condaminea, and 
was administered in doses of G ounces, twice daily, in cases 21 to 26. 
“ 7. I observed no difference, as regards febrifuge property, in the leaves of the two 
species of cinchona submitted’to trial; but, although the table does not show this, it 
appeared to me that preparation No. III. was the most effectual. 
