Observations on the superior efficacy of the red Peruvian bark, in the cure of agues and other fevers : interspersed with occasional remarks on the treatment of other diseases by the same remedy.

  • Saunders, William, 1743-1817.
Date:
[1783]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Observations on the superior efficacy of the red Peruvian bark, in the cure of agues and other fevers : interspersed with occasional remarks on the treatment of other diseases by the same remedy. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the National Library of Medicine (U.S.), through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the National Library of Medicine (U.S.)

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    fuch was the ftubbornefs and obftinacy of the inter- mittent Fevers of the preient year, even in this coun- try, that they refitted common Bark, and only gave wav to the Red Bark. Notwithstanding I formed very early a favourable epinion of this Bark, yet it fell far fhort of that which I am juftifted in maintaining, from the collected evidence of fo many gentlemen in diftant and remote parts of the country. Many letters which I have re- ceived, are written with fuch zeal in favour of its Su- perior efficacy, that they could only be dictated by the ftrongeft conviction, arifmg from extenfive and diligent obfervations. 1 have perfuaded many of my medical friends to ufe the Red Bark in our foreign fettlements, and I fhall take pleafure in communicating to the public the refult of their obfervations as loan as I am fa- voured with them. A more powerful Bark is parti- cularly defirable in thofe countries, where the violence and danger of the paroxyfm is fo great. In the fol- lowing obfervations, I have confined myfelf very much to the ufe of the Red Bark in febrile difeafes, hut I am in poffeffion of many fads in proof of its fuperior powers in other difeafes, in which the com- mon Peruvian Bark has been found ufeful. The introduction of the Red Bark into this coun- try was the effect of chance. In the year 1779, a Spanim fhip from Lima, bound to Cadiz, was taken bv the HufTar frigate, and carried into Lifbon -, her cargo con fitted chiefly of this Bark, fome part of which was immediately imported into this country, and a confiderabie quantity was bought 2t a very low price at Oilend, by fome of our London Druggifts. The boxes in which it uas brought to Europe were of ihe fame kind as thofe in which the common Peruvian Bark was contained, and ail fold by the general title of Quinquina. The Druggifts in whofe hands the Red Bark at firft was, found it difficult to difpofe of it.