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COPALCHI BARK. 
In the second case in which trial was made of Copalchi 
bark, the patient suffered from irregularity of the bowels, 
but with this peculiarity (several instances of which came 
under my notice during the past winter during the preva. 
lence of cholera,) that twice daily, viz., at three o'clock 
afternoon and three o'clock morning, more or less violent 
spasmodic cramp in the bowels came on, preceded by shiver- 
ings and coldness, and terminating by a sweating stage 
Quinine, in l.§ grain doses, twice daily, had been given for 
two days, with the effect of completely checking these in- 
termittent paroxysms, when it was obliged to be stopped 
in consequence of its inducing violent headaches, flushing 
of face, and feverishness. The paroxysms immediately 
returned as before, but, on substituting infusion of Copalchi, 
giving a wine-glassful at two o'clock afternoon, and the 
same quantity at bed time, the paroxysms were arrested, 
and have not since returned. 
Like relief followed in another but milder case of the same 
nature. In this case the cure was trusted entirely to the 
Copalchi, no other medicine being being given, in order to 
see whether it really possessed any anti-periodic powers. 
It is, therefore, scarcely possible to doubt that it possesses 
some anti-periodic virtue, so that we can easily believe 
what is stated of its powers by the Mexican and Peruvian 
Physicians in arresting the paroxysms of intermittent 
fevers. 
It has been used in several other cases, but without the 
results being so striking as to render its superiority to other 
bitters unquestioned. I am at present giving it in a case 
of epilepsy, in which all other bitters had disagreed, ex- 
cepting that much neglected but valuable bitter, the trefoil 
(Menyanthes trifoliata,) and the case, so far as it has gone, 
has succeeded satisfactorily under the use of the Copalchi 
bark. Dr. Bennett informs me that he is administering it 
to an epileptic case in the Royal Infirmary, apparently 
with marked benefit. 
