The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1871-08-31
CUNDURANGO BARK
Description Of fits Properties by DR..
WashingtOn-An important letter.

WashingtOn-An important EetteF.
The virtues of Cundurango bark as a
cure for cancerous and scrofulous dis
eases continue to be greatly debated
throughout the country, and the sub
ject is attracting the general attention
of scientific men. DR.. T. ri. BUCKHAs,
a leading physician of Flint, has re-
Gently received a letter from the we'll
known DIR. BLISS, of Washington,
which contains so much valuable in
formation concerning the bark that we
republish it entire, as follows:
WASHINGTON, D. c., July Il, 1871.
T. M. Buckham, Nj. D., &C., Flint,
Mich.
MY DEAR SIR: In reply to your IA
vor of the 18th inst, would state that
the ''Cundurango bark, +" about which
so much inquiry is being made, which
| has manifested such rare alternative
powers and such specific influence
| over cancer, syphilis, and scrofula, Is
q native of South America, and Is
| found in abundance on the table lands
of the Andes, in the southwestern
portion of the territory of EscusdOT, in
the LOxa district, where CinchOna was
| first found, and where at present the
barks are most rich in alkaloids.
In Ecuador its resources were first
developed. Two physicians, Messrs.
Cassares and Equiguren, having ap-
piled it to the treatment Of cancer,
syphilis, &C., with success, the bark
was sent with its history, by the Gov
ernment of Ecuador, 10 the United
States State Department.. It was by
them considered Of so much import
ance that a circular upon the subject
was issued. Soon after a quantity was
sent to my friend and patient, Mr.
Flores, the Minister of Ecuador, in
this city, and placed in my hands for
trial. 1 exhibited it first in the treat
ment of the mother of Vice-President
CoIfax, Mrs. @. w. Matthews, who
had sciFrhus of the breast, a typical
case, and in its last stages. Before re-
ceiving the remedy I had advised the
family that she could survive not long
er than the coming autumn. When I
commenced operations the gland was
hard, and modules could be felt over a
diameter of four inches, the erOded
portion about two inches across, with
eVerted edges of q scarlet color. It
bled at the slightest touch, and dis
charged profusely p brown sanious
fluid, and this accompanied with the
characteristic fetor of cancer. The
glands in the aXillaTy and submentRl
regions were also indurated and swoll-
en- with secondary cancerOus deposits,
Indicating the complete SubjugatiOn of
the system to the influence of the poi
son. The countenanae presented the
usual pale, dOughy, caohetic appear
Of fInI
lips mOttled and becoming blue at the
least exertion, and the growth rapidly
increasing in size and malignity, so
that the changes could be noticed from
day to day.
After twenty-six days treatment
with the CunduTango infusion, the
gland has lost so much of its size, and
the inundatiOn of the gland and dis
cOloration of the integumelt entirely
subsidized, the color of the denuded part
changed to 8 pale pink, and the ulcer
is covered with granulatiOns secreting
healthy pus, which has taken the
place of the fol mer brown saniOus dis
charge. The countenance has resumed
the old familiar appearance, blueness
of lips has disappeared, strength in
creased, patient moving about with
activity, the submental enlargement
disappeared, the hardened glands quite
soft to touch, and the cancerOus fetOT
much Iessened-the whole pointing
Enthusiastically to the fact that the rem~
edy has successfully combated the
blood poison, and that in a short time,
by the use of the CundUTango, a COM
plete cure may be expected. Other
cases have been treated by me present.
ing various forms of cancer, which
have rapidly progressed to recovery,
fTafT
ence in this malignant form Of blood
poison.
1 have also the corrObOrative evf-
dence of the remarkable influence of
this remedy in progressive malignant
diseases, of several medical gentlemen
and patients in different parts of the
country, who have observed and ex-
perienced its effects, although they
have had but a small quantity Of tue
medicine, which was procured from
the State Department before the sup
ply exhausted.
Early in May dispatched my part
ner to Ecuador for investigation into
the origin, characteristics and cultiva-
ton Of this important bark, and ! am
assured by him that q considerable
quantity Will reach New York on the
Ist, or at the outside not later than the
10Th of August, when the various de-
mands for the remedy, with all neces-
sary instructions, will receive due at
tention.
I have furnished the New York
Medical Journal for July, with hur-
riedly written article upon the cases
already treated, and it is my purpose
to continue the correspondence in each
succeeding number, for the benefit of
the profession, and to which 1 invite
your attention.
Very truly yours,
D. w. BLISS, IL. D.