Connecticut western news., 1871-10-27
CushdMr0mRO

I have received numerous applications during the last three months, for informa- tion in regard to the specific and marvellous virtues attributed to the Cstndurango, as a remedy for cancer, with enquiries whether 1 could furnish it. As l have no time to answer all these letters individually, take this method of communicating what Ihave to say on the subject, hoping it may suffice to satisfy all enquirers.
 I need not repeat what has been already published to the world, regarding the his- tory of the drug-the source from whence it is obtained-the mode of preparation and administration, &c. Since specimens of the shrub were distributed during the month of April last by the Department of State, to the Surgeon-G General of the United States Army, in order that the remedy should be subjected to the test of chemical analysis, as we'll as therapeutic trial by scientific and competent medical men, it has been tried in quite sa number of cases of cancer, but I have heard of none that have been cured by it, except Mrs. Colfax, in Washington, the mother of the Vice-President of the United States, and it appears from all can learn, extremely doubtful whether hers was case of true cancer. It is far more likely to have been @ scrofulous sore. ] have known it tried fairly, according to directions in seven or eight cases of can- cer without the slightest perceptible bene- fit in a single,instance Two of these were in the city of New York, the medicine be- ing given under instructions from the Sur geon-general of the United States army, and the diagnosis was confirmed, by sub- hitting specimens of the morbid products, procured after death, to micrOscopical and | other tests. am therefore, forced to the conclusion that the CundurGng0 possesses 100 vazue qohntecer as c renaediaJ agent Sn tue treatment of Cancer, but from it's &C., tive properties, it may do no small injury | by disturbing the functions of the stomach and impairiug nutrition.
 If we analyze the drug we shall find it contains no powerful specific principal. like cinchona, opium, nux vomica, &c.; but that it's principal constituent is resin insolube in water, and yet it is directed to be given in infusion! We find, besides resin, in its composition, fatty matter, starch, gum, glucose, tannin, coloring mat ter, cellulose, lignin, &c., but it contains no volatile oil, or crystalline alkaloid prin- ciple, as we should expect if it possessed any specific powers.
 In letter just received from one of tho principal physicians of Washington City D. O., are the following statements in con firmation of the above:
 ''From all that we know of CundurGnao it is entirely inert as medicine, and is be ing run as huge swindle.
 ''Dr. Bliss never put it forward in tht hands of medical men for trial, and doe not now, and it is said, know not Witl what truth, that he does not furnish it tt medical men if he can avoid it. in othe words he fears the test. It is the best ad vertised quack nostrum ever put before thu !: American people," On the whole am disposed to classify this article among the numerous empirica agents which have, from time to time, here tofore agitated the public and disappointec the hopes and expectations of so many un fortunate victims of this terrible malady and that this bold attempt to manfuctur q fictitious reputation for this drug, restin! on such questionable data, seems rather t' have been inspired by the dazzling prospec of pecuniary speculation, than by laud able desire to advance the triumphs of sci ence, or to alleviate the sufferings of unfor tunate humanity. c. A. LEE, M. D.
 Peekskill, Oct. 9th, 1871.