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                                   ³Cinchona³
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    (Cinchona Ledgeriana) also called Peruvian bark and Jesuit's bark. This
    bark is a natural source of the drug quinine. The percentage of quinine
    in the bark varies from valley to valley and consequently it was at
    first difficult to ascertain if indeed cinchona or quinine was a specific
    for malaria.

       Its medicinal value was unknown to the Incas in whose valleys it grew,
    and it was the Jesuits who figured out the secret of the bark. However,
    they kept the location and news about it to themselves as long as they
    could and then sold the formula for its weight in silver (One wonders why
    they did so considering their Christian belief would say they should GIVE
    it away). The Dutch then began to cultivate the tree in Java and through
    their skillful handling, Java is now the world source of this drug.

       Quinine is an Antiseptic*. It prevents fermentation and putrefaction
    and is used in tooth powders. Small doses increase the appetite*, saliva,
    gastric juice, and heart action; moderate doses interfere with the oxygen
    carrying function of the red corpuscles. It lessens fever* by destroying
    or rendering inert the infective agent.
       Quinine is also used medically now for the treatment of leg cramps in
    several commercial products available over the counter, aimed primarily
    at atheletes and persons suffering night-time leg cramp problems.
       Quinine is a specific for malaria, acting as a direct poison to the
    Plasmodium Malarie which causes the disease. It is also given to stimulate
    uterine contractions in labor.