ON AMORPHOUS QUININE, 
187 
civilization in modern times has depended, far more than 
has been conceived, upon the discovery of a remedy for the 
fevers which prevailed where tillage is imperfect, and in 
new and unbroken soils. 
This chemical investigation has thrown an interesting 
light upon the testimonies borne to the efficacy of quinoi- 
dine in the treatment of fever, and the highest encomiums 
have been passed upon it ; but the commercial specimens 
have differed very much in value ; while some have con- 
sisted nearly altogether of amorphous quinine, others have 
contained only a small per centage. 
It is necessary that the amorphous quinine should be 
separated from all admixtures and impurities, and prescrib- 
ed in its pure state. There can be no doubt but the same 
substance will produce the same effect on the animal organ- 
ism, whether exhibited in a crystalline or an amorphous 
state,. The system, as we may say, makes no difference in 
such a case. As I have already observed, the mystery 
about quinoidine is completely solved by the discovery, that 
it usually contains a very large per centage of pure quinine 
in an amorphous state. 
In a commercial point of view, it is certainly a matter of 
great importance that We should be able to judge by the 
mere external appearance of a remedy, of its purity ; and, 
consequently, how far we may rely upon its efficacy. This 
is thought to be the case with the crystalline sulphate of 
quinine, whilst the non-crystalline form of quinoidine has 
probably led to a disregard of the evidence for its useful- 
ness, even more than the fact of its being, as usually sold, 
an admixture of various substances. But with respect to 
the mere amorphous form, when the quinine is separated 
from all its adhering impurities, it is in the same case with 
opium, castor, and many more of the most efficient reme- 
dies which we possess, particularly with the extracts of our 
pharmacopoeias. It is necessary to be assured of their purity 
before we employ them, but their amorphous form does not 
