Colonial North America: Countway Library of Medicine

162

Materia Medica

Tonics

by the Maryland Physicians which proves that Dr Cullen knew not the time for its use.

Cinchona or Cortex Peruvianus. Of this there are many species, the following are known to Botanists. 1st. Cinchona Lancifolia, so called from the form of its leaves. 2d. Cinchona Oblongifolia. A native of Peru they are about four feet in diameter this supplies us with the red Bark, there are twelve other species, the Cinchona Lancifolia furnishes us with the pale bark of the shops it is generally fifteen or sixteen feet high and about as thick as a mans arm it is sometimes greater than this, but from its value it is seldom suffered to stand long enough, the quilled bark is taken from the branches of those small trees, the tree which furnishes the red Bark is much larger. This was first used in 1136 [1638] by the Countess of Cinchona at Lama [Lima, Peru] for the cure of an intermittant fever from this it derives its name. Lewis [Louis] the 14th while King of France also experienced its effects and the cure of this disease, it is much disputed whether the red or pale bark are of the same or distinct species, it is most probable they are the product of different trees, what I shall say on this subject will apply either to the red or pale bark, the virtues of the bark have been known for a long time. I have