The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1890-06-19
QUINlNE A CuRE-AlL
Whore Cinchona Bark Is Obtained and
How 1t Is Marketed.


OF the thousands who say quinine il
good for every thing" few are aware
that its introduction into the pharmaco-
poeia 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 1887. 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
1T the palace gate and gave the Count
ess' maid 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 flnctu-
ate several dollars pound. These pet
ty states monopolized the trade in the
severest manner, and the poor bark
gatherers were compelled to sell their
stuff for whatever the government chose
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 were 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 fourishod where
they had been transplanted the Dutch
encountered other obstacles. It was
| found that the bark of the same species
of trees was of very irregular quality,
and although it all looked alike it often
| req uired chemical analysis to ascertain
its value. Some banks 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 wealth err.
After it is stripped from the tree it b .s
to be thoroughly dried and then packed
in ceroons of MOI ,Uened cowhlde 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 u great deal OF
| trickery used in the trade, as inferior OF
! worthless banks are some times skillfully
mixed with good barl1s, 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 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 $4,000, O0O
grains, and the trade here and abroad is
almost entirely in the hands of 4 monop
oily, whose great factory is located in
Mannheim Germany-Chicago Times.