266 ON THE MALAMBO, OR MATIAS BARK. 
in New Granada, and which is held in high esteem among 
the natives as a febrifuge and stomachic. 
Malambo bark was analyzed by M. Cadet Gassicourt, 
about twenty-eight years ago (Journ. de Pharmacie, torn. ii. 
p. 172) ; subsequently, by M. Vauquelin, who ascertained 
the presence of three distinct substances : namely, 1. An 
aromatic volatile oil. 2. A very bitter resin. 3. An extract, 
soluble in water, which yeilded ammonia, when heated with 
caustic potash (Jinnales de Chimie, torn. xcvi. p. 113). It 
afforded no tannin, scarcely a trace of gallic acid, and none 
of the alkalis of cinchona. It is stated, that in the countries 
where the tree is indigenous, incisions are made in the bark, 
and there exudes an aromatic oil which sinks in water. 
Most authors believe it to be the produce of a species of 
drimys ; but M. Bonpland regards it as a quassia {Merat 
et de Lens, Dictionnaire de Mat. Med., tome iv., p. 199.) 
This, however, is improbable, since none of the quassia tribe 
yet discovered are possessed of aroma. 
The above Colombian bark has been frequently admin- 
istered by me as a substitute for cinchona with good effect. 
It offers the useful combination of a tonic and aromatic ;and 
seems to exercise its beneficial influence on the principle 
laid down by Professor Schultz, with regard to other thera- 
peutic agents of the same class, namely, in promoting an in- 
creased flow of bile, whereby digestion is perfected, and 
healthy blood formed. In scrofulous ophthalmia, after re- 
moving feculent accumulations from the bowels, I have 
known an infusion, made with two drachms of the bark to 
a pint of water, cause a speedy and complete removal of the 
inflammation and morbid sensibility of the eyes. The dose 
of the infusion just mentioned is from one to two ounces, 
repeated twice or thrice in the course of the day. It may, 
in some instances, be advantageously conjoined with salts of 
iron, or of mercury, with both of which it is compatible. 
The addition of a little syrup of orange-peel, and compound 
tincture of cardamom forms a draught by no means disa- 
greeable. Pharm. Journ. 
