River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1890-06-19
QUININE a CuRE-AIt.
Where Cinchona Bark Is Obtained and
How IL Is Marketed


How 1t Is Marketed.
OF the thousands who say quinine is
good for every thing" few are aware
that its introduction into the pharmaco-
peia is Of comparatively recent date.
Quinine is one of the most common Of
homeopathic drugs and is used for all
ailments. 1t is an alkaloid obtained
from the cinchona bark. whose won
derful properties as a tonic became
known about 1857. At that time the
Countess of Cinchon, Vice-Queen Of
Peru, was very i'll with lingering fe-
yer, and the best medical men of South
America were in attendance and had al
most despaired of the Countess recov-
cry. One day washerwoman appeared
at the palace gate and gave the Count
ess' maid a bark which she directed to
be given to her mistress. The Countess
rallied. and in short time recovered.
The strange bark was then called cinch-
ona bark. whose praises the Vice-Queen
was always singing.
Quinine came into general use in Eu-
rope about the close of the seventeenth
century, and for about one hundred
years the Europeans were dependent
upon few South American States for
their supply, which was very meager, as
Peru, Bolivia and Ecuador, which were
the chief producers, were continually
wrangling with each other. Their
squabbles prevented the natives gather
ing cinchona bark, and often in few
weeks the price of quinine would fuctu-
ate several dollars a pound. These pet
ty states monOpolized the trade IL the
severest manner. and the poor bark
gatherers were compelled to sell heir
stuff for whatever the government hose
to give, and at present the South Amer
lean States levy duty on all the bark
exported.
The Europeans soon became tired of
this way of securing their supply and
the Dutch we're the first, after years of
experimenting, TO succeed in breaking
the South American monopoly. They
found that the tree would grow in the
East Indies. The English Government,
jealous of their rivals success. sent out
numerous expeditions to investigate the
whole subject and see whether or not
the trees could be transplanted, and this
was successfully done after many trials
in northern India
Although the trees hourished where
they had been transplanted the Dutch
encountered other obstacles 1t was
found that the bark Of the same species
of trees was of very irregular quality.
and although it all looked alike it often
required chemical analysis to ascertain
its value. Some barks yield as high as
thirteen per cent. alkaloids, upon which
the value of cinchona depends.
The season for gathering the bark be-
gins in August and lasts till October or
November, according To tho weather.
After it is stripped from the tree it IS
to be thoroughly dried and then packed
in ceroons of moiStened cowhide or in
bales of heavy sacking. Most of these
are branded with trademarks. Some of
these have attained considerable repu-
tation, and any bark in the bales
so named can be relied upon. 1t is
claimed that there is great deal of
tricIery used in the trade, as inferior OF
worthless banks are sometimes skillfully
mixed with good barks, and the differ
ence is so slight that all the imports are
analysed before they are accepted.
During the prevalence of la grippe in
this city the supply of quinine became
practically exhausted. Most of the
stock was held by large retail drug
gist who sold all he had for double the
normal price.
Quinine is generally taken in two
grain capsules or in a powder with
water or whisky. The first way is peter
able. as it does away with any disagree
able taste.
The annual consumption of quinine in
the United States is about 45,000,0 600
grains, and the trade here and abroad 10
almost entirely in the hands of a monop
oily. whose great factory is located in
Mannheim Germany.-Chicago Times.