a spurious kind, with which our markets have been supplied, has brought it into disrepute. The true pale bark, is little, if any, inferior to the red, and in its sensible properties, as well as chemical quality, differs much from the yellow bark. Indeed, some have doubted, whether the latter is a species of cinchona, and we are persuaded, from repeated experiments, that it possesses no advantage over the bark of the horse chestnut tree, or the broad leaf willow.

1

"In the year 1793, the proprietor observes, when the tincture was first offered for sale, the bark was to be bought for 2s. per pound; it is not now to be purchased in the drug market for less than 11s. But this is no subject for surprise; for the PROPRIETOR is not acquainted with one instance in which this preparation has failed of doing whatever could be expected from the very best bark in powder, which, when more known, will probably do away the practice of overloading stomachs, and particularly delicate stomachs, (for which bark is most frequently ordered) with large quantities of wood and useless matter. But with these the best powder greatly abounds, and they constitute nearly the whole of the inferior kind, which is generally powdered."

We really cannot comprehend what this sentence is intended to imply. If he means to infer that the present high price of the yellow bark is

a proof that the preference is given to it, he is certainly wrong, for the other barks have also advanced. The pale Peruvian bark is dearer, and the red Peruvian bark is double the price; which, according to his mode of reasoning, proves that the pale bark is held in greater estimation than the yellow bark; and the red Peruvian bark still more so. If the proprietor were a physician, or had had much experience in cases of intermittents, he would not so boldly assert that "his tincture is an undoubted cure for intermittents, or that it is more to be depended on than the powder." Now the case is, that no preparation of the Peruvian bark has succeeded in the cure of the intermittents so well as the powder, and where agues prevail, the physicians do not think of giving any other. Indeed, the other preparations having so frequently if not generally failed, has induced many medical men to attribute much of its efficacy to the mechanical action of the fibrous part of the bark on the internal coat of the stomach. But of all preparations of the bark, the tincture is the most objectionable in cases of intermittents; on account of the spirit with which it is made, it cannot be exhibited so frequently or in such doses as it is often necessary, unless the patient has been addicted to dram drinking. "Not only in intermittent fevers," observes the proprietor, “but in most of those not strictly inflammatory, Peruvian bark is the chief

medicine on which physicians can with confidence rely. In chronic disorders its utility is not lessextensive."

Now the indiscriminate use of the bark in fevers either remittent or not strictly inflammatory has been productive of incalculable mischief; and, in domestic medicine, particularly, from its being termed a febrifuge, has destroyed more lives than any other regular medicine, by being imprudently given in fevers where an opposite remedy was necessary. In chronic disease the bark is very seldom prescribed, for when the object is to improve the state of the digestive organs, bitters, such as the columbo and gentian, have answered best. A spirituous tincture of bark, we conceive is a dangerous remedy to advertise for fevers, as, in the hands of ignorance, in which they generally fall, it must often be productive of serious, if not fatal, effects. Fevers are very insidious in their attacks; they assume forms at first very distant from their real nature, and medicines adapted to their first appearances may be sometimes fatal. Besides, people unacquainted with diseases, often mistake rigors, which generally precede local inflammation, as of the lungs, brain, &c. In such, cases what must be the effects of a dose of a strong spirituous tincture of bark? The probability is that it would so increase the fever, and

aggravate the local inflammation, as to endanger, if not destroy, the life of the patient.

The use of spirituous tinctures of any kind we condemn, as well in chronic as acute disease. Many persons have, no doubt, to date their first propensity to dram drinking, to the too frequent use of them, rashly prescribed for hysterical complaints, flatulence, lowness of spirits, &c. &c. On this baneful practice we made some observation in our first nnmber, when animadverting on Solomon's Balm of Gilead,

We cannot conclude our comments on this nostrum, without expressing our astonishment that the Editors of the Physical and Medical Journal should suffer the advertisements of such a preparation to be stitched in their work; at the proprietor's effrontery in circulating them among the regular profession, we cannot be surprised, after the perusal of his puffing handbill. We hope, for the sake of consistency, that such papers will not for the future be admitted into that work.

THE AROMATIC LOZENGES OF STEEL:

Improved by Doctor SENATE, and prepared by Mr. J. P. SEDDON, Druggist, for Nervous Complaints, Diseases peculiar to Females, Abortions, Barrenness, Impotency, Tabes Dorsalis, &c.

Mr. Seddon commences his advertisement with

"To

the following liberal and politic caution. prevent imposition, the public are respectfully requested to observe, that the Aromatic Lozenges of Steel cannot POSSIBLY be genuine, unless the outside wrapper has the affidavit of Mr. J. B. Farkas (the original inventor) and also the signature of Mr. J. P. Seddon, the sole proprietor." So of all the Chemists and Druggists in London, it is Mr. Seddon alone, that can combine the steel with sugar, cinnamon, &c. and divide it into lozenges!! We heartily congratulate Mr. Seddon on his profound chemical acquirements, and on being able to write his name. Most profound and scientific chemist, what will be the next discovery thou wilt condescend to announce to the world? The age for important discoveries is arrived; notoriety is the order of the day; avail yourself, therefore, of the peculiar times you live in, and honourably transmit your name to posterity with the great chemists of the day. A discovery of an infallible remedy for "Impotency and Barrenness," in time of war, merits the attention of the legislature: lose no time, therefore, in applying for a patent; the country is rich, and government has lately given a proof of great generosity: you may, at the same time, with great propriety, intimate, that a little remuneration would not be unacceptable to you, or at least Dr. Senate; having, in advertisements and postage of letters, ex