466 
REVIEW OF MOIROUD’s 
Peruvian bark is applied cxernally, or in the form of decoction, 
to cleanse indolent ulcers, and to correct a tendency to gangrene. 
By a species of chemical combination it arrests the progress ot 
putrefaction, and arouses the energy of the living parts, so 
that they are enabled to separate themselves from the gan¬ 
grened. 
Administered internally, it is generally given in the most sim¬ 
ple form, in powder, mixed with honey or treacle, or extract of 
juniper; or in decoction, in the proportion of an ounce of the bark 
to a pound of water. The decoction furnishes an abundant pre¬ 
cipitate by the addition of any of the salts or oxydes of iron, or 
antimony, or corrosive sublimate, and hence the necessity of 
never prescribing these substances in combination with barks given 
in a liquid form : the iron, however, may be given without incon¬ 
venience with powdered bark. An infusion of bark will alw r ays 
be found preferable to a decoction. Acetate of ammonia, cam¬ 
phor, snakeroot, gentian, elecampane, and willow and Indian 
chestnut bark, may be added to the Peruvian bark, whether it be 
to modify its effects, or to lessen the expense. 
The dose, whether in powder or decoction, may be carried to 
four ounces for large quadrupeds, and four drachms for smaller 
ones; but the ordinary dose is one or two ounces for larger, and 
one or two drachms for smaller quadrupeds. If the sulphate of 
quinine be employed, only one-fifteenth or one-twentieth of the 
quantity should be given. 
Gentian occupies the first rank among our indigenous tonics. 
Its effect is more slowly developed than that of bark, but it is 
more permanent. It is especially indicated in maladies that are 
accompanied or followed by sudden prostration of the vital 
powers, or that are characterised by radical debility. Its useful¬ 
ness has been proved in many epizootic diseases, the inflamma¬ 
tory character of w hich w as not fully developed, or of short dura¬ 
tion. It is an excellent stomachic: it recalls the appetite, and 
assists digestion. It prevents the evolution of worms in the ali¬ 
mentary canal, or favours their expulsion. It is at once a sto¬ 
machic and a vermifuge. 
As a simple bitter tonic it is often preferable to any other me¬ 
dicament of the same class, not excepting Peruvian bark ; but 
this last is a better antiseptic and antiperiodical (cutting short 
intermittent diseases). Oak, willow, and Indian chesnut barks 
are frequently added to it. Without contesting the utility of 
mixtures of this kind, neither of these can bear comparison with 
the Peruvian bark, the efficacy of which depends not only on the 
tannin which it contains, but, most of all, on the bitter alkaline 
principles which it possesses. 
Gentian may be given in the form of powder, decoction, infu- 
