Peruvian Bark

Action and Therapy. External. Antiseptic and astringent. A poultice of the bark has been successfully used upon fetid and gangrenous ulcers, and where such an application has been thought necessary upon suppurating and sloughing felons.

Therapy. In the administration of quinine as an antiperiodic, the beneficial influences are not altogether in proportion to the size of the dose. Enormous doses may abort a chill if given during its course, or during the course of the fever.

Action, Medical Uses, and Dosage. These pills are tonic and antiperiodic, and may be employed in intermittent and remittent fevers, and in all diseases attended with symptoms of periodicity. The addition of the tartaric acid renders the quinine more readily soluble in the juices of the stomach. The dose is 1 pill every 1, 2, or 3 hours, according to the severity or urgency of the symptoms. A compound quinine pill is occasionally employed, which is composed as follows: Take of sulphate of quinine, hydrochlorate of berberine, each, 1 drachm; resin of podophyllum, 10 grains; extract of nux vomica, 8 grains. Mix, and divide into 60 pills (J. King).

Action, Medical Uses, and Dosage. (For the uses of these pills, see Quininae Sulphas.) Each pill contains 1 grain of sulphate of quinine, and 12 are equivalent to 1 ounce of good Peruvian bark. The above pill mass may be made into 2 or 5-grain pills if desired, which will not be found inconveniently large.