Note 67 — Chapter XVIII

This admirable Medicine was unknown in Europe, till about one hundred and twenty Years past; we are obliged to the Spaniards for it, who found it in the Province of Quito in Peru; the Countess of Chinchon being the first European who used it in America, whence it was brought to Spain, under the Name of the Countesses Powder. The Jesuits having soon dispensed and distributed it abroad, it became still more publick by the Name of the Jesuits Powder: and since it has been known by that of Kinkina or the Peruvian Bark. It met with great Opposition at first; some deeming it a Poison, while others considered it as a divine Remedy: so that the Prejudices of many being heightened by their Animosity, it was nearly a full Century, before its true Virtue and its Use were agreed to: and about twenty Years since the most unfavourable Prejudices against it pretty generally subsided. The Insufficience of other Medicines in several Cases; its great Efficaciousness; and the many and surprizing Cures which it did, and daily does effect; the Number of Distempers; the different kinds of Fevers, in which it proves the sovereign Remedy; its Effects in the most difficult chirurgical Cases; the Comfort, the Strength and Sprits it gives those who need and take it, have at length opened every Persons Eyes; so that it has almost unanimously obtained the first Reputation, among the most efficacious Medicines. The World is no longer amused with Apprehensions of its injuring the Stomach; of its fixing, or shutting up the Fever (as the Phrase has been) without curing it; that it shuts up the Wolf in the Sheepfold; that it throws those who take it into the Scurvy, the Asthma, the Dropsy, the Jaundice. On the contrary they are persuaded it prevents there very Diseases; and, that if it is ever hurtful, it is only when it is either adulterated, as most great Remedies have been; or has been wrongly prescribed, or improperly taken: or lastly when it meets with some latent, some unknown Particularities in a Constitution, which Physicians term an Idiosyncrasy, and which prevent or pervert its very general Effects. Tissot.