COPALCHI BARK. 
271 
When I received the first few pounds of Copalchi bark, 
1 sent some to the Royal Infirmary, and to the two principal 
Dispensaries, in order to let this bitter get a fair trial. I 
have not yet received reports from these institutions, but 
learn that in every case that this bitter has been admin- 
istered, it has given satisfaction, proving an agreeable 
light bitter. Being now in possession of the whole impor- 
tation of this bark, through the liberality of Messrs. Gibbs, 
and being anxious that its powers should be fairly and 
thoroughly tested by the medical men of Edinburgh, par- 
cels of it have been sent to the Royal Infirmary, to the New 
Town and Royal Dispensaries, and to the Leith Dispen- 
sary ; and the remainder lies with the Messrs. Duncan and 
Co,, Druggists, at whose shops in Edinburgh and Leith, 
small quantities of the bark may be obtained gratuitously, 
by' those who wish to prepare it for themselves. The 
Messrs. Duncan and Co., will also keep the infusion, decoc- 
tion, tincture, and spiritous extract ready for prescription, 
charging merely for the trouble and cost of materials used 
in the preparation, as the bark itself is not to be sold at pre- 
sent. Should the bark be found to prove a valuable addi- 
tion to our stock of bitters, it could soon be procured from 
Mexico and Peru in any desired quantity; meanwhile, I 
would invite the profession in Edinburgh to make trial of 
it, and shall feel much obliged if they will make the results 
of their trials known to me. 
It appears to me, that one of the great wants in the medi- 
cal practice of the present day is. a good light bitter of some 
real therapeutic powers. Most of the bitters in common 
use are harsh, disagreeable, and heavy, often exciting nau- 
sea, aggravating rather than allaying the irritability of a 
stomach already too irritable. To avoid these it has 
become of late too much the practice to employ quinine, 
bebeerine, strychnine, or other concentrated bitters or alka- 
loids, which in many cases do more harm than good. Satis- 
