On the medicinal properties of bebeerine / [Sir Douglas Maclagan].

  • Maclagan, Douglas, Sir, 1812-1900.
Date:
[1845]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: On the medicinal properties of bebeerine / [Sir Douglas Maclagan]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    ON THE MEDICINAL PROPERTIES OF BEBEERINE. By Douglas Maclagan, M. D., F. R. S. E., &c. (From the Edin. Med. and Surg. Journal, No. 163.J In April 184S, I communicated to the Royal Society of Edin¬ burgh some chemical and pharmaceutical remarks on the Bebeeru, or Greenheart Tree of British G uiana, in which Dr Rodie of that colony had pointed out the existence of a vegetable alkali which he called Bebeerine, and which he considered to be possessed of antiperiodic virtues. This paper has appeared in the Transac¬ tions of the Royal Society, Vol. xv. In August of the same year I published in Cormack’s Monthly Journal a few observa¬ tions on the medicinal qualities of Bebeerine, in which I narrated a series of cases furnished me by others, or observed by myself, which served to show that bebeerine is possessed of considerable antiperiodic and general tonic qualities, resembling quinine in its general effects, but without its liability to excite the circulation or produce the constitutional irritation to which the cinchona alkalies are too apt to give rise. My present object is to lay before the profession further evi¬ dence as to its powers, with a view to its being employed, if it stand the test of experience, as a substitute for quinine. Before, however, narrating cases illustrative of its medicinal action, I may be allowed to mention one or two points of informa- A