OCR Text |
Show RHUBARB. RHUBARB. its. quality, are the only means likely to produce a counteraction. To great attention to these points I attribute all my success. Mere recommendation ought ever, in such a business as this, to be placed out of the question. If the article will not bear the tests of examination and trial, it should not be indebted to any It is scarcely possible to avoid it, when, in cases like the present, a manis under the necessity of speaking of himself. ‘¢ It is a subject I have much at heart, and it would give me much real concern to keep back a single circumstance likely to be useful to future cultivators. Its production and adoption, thing else. *¢ Whenever I have submitted any specimens to public examinatior at an hospital or elsewhere, my constant language has been, ‘ I have no wish bat that they mayrise or fall according to their own intrinsic merit or demerit; and, if worthy of appro- with the attendant difficulties, have been, to the best of my abilities, amply considered; the former in the communications be- 410 bation, by this meatis induce their general adoption. That this being, no doubt, the uitimate object of the Society of Aris, who have thought proper to honour me with several distinctions, I fec] myself impelled to forward it to the utmost, and not remain contented with its mere cultivation.’ I have proceeded to state the great expense this country incurs by so large au importa. tion, and on this account urgedits general adoption, in orderto lessen the expense on the score of duty. ‘That although I am influenced by such motives, and many others, yet my ownindividual interest I have at the same time fairly acknowledged to be among the number; and I have concluded with expressing a hope, that while pleading the general, as well as my own particular cause, perhaps the benefit of such institutions may be the necessary consequence of introducing a valuable and efficacious medicine at a comparatively trifling expense. I have never yet made this appeal in vain; and the Society will, 1 dare say, re- ceive with muchsatisfaction the intelligence that rhubarb of English growth is now used at Guy’s (I mention the hospitals in the order of its introduction), St. Thomas’s, ‘and St. Bartho- lomew’s ; and is under trial at several others. Still further to inform myself of the public opinion, I have lately requested an interview with a numerous and most respectable committee at Apothecaries’ Hall: it is impossible, without a breach of pro- priety, to repeat the compliments its members were pleased to pay me: whether I deserve them or not, it wonld be equally improper in me to determine; but of this the Society may be assured, I neverwill rest till Ido. Ina word, my purpose was fully answered. The article which I exhibited met with the most unqualified approbation, and full permission was given to publish this circumstance. I beg leave, before I conclude, to apologize for the egotism which prevails throughout this communication. All fore mentioned, the latter in this paper. opinionthat the steps I am pursuing to If the Society are of effect this last and de- sirable purpose deserve success, it will be highly flattering. Under their auspices I commenced myplantation eight years ago, and T hope and trust my proceedings since have been such that the purpose to whichit has been appropriated will occasion no regret. ‘¢ J am, sir, your very humble servant, ‘¢ Tuomas JONES.” Specimens of English rhubarb underwent a severe trial at Bath by three eminent physicians there, Drs. Falconer, Parry, and Fothergill. Dr. Falconer reports, that the two specimens of English rhubarb answer in external marks to the characters of the drug when good; that they are rather inferior in delicacy of taste to Turkey rhubarb, but superior in some respects to the Kast Indian ; that perhaps they might have resembled the Turkeystill more clearly had they been dug upas longa time, and a careful selection of the best pieces had been made. ‘The redcolour is said to be improved by keeping; and Linnzus advises it to be kept ten years before it is used. Vogel relates, that an apothecary is sent with the Russian caravan that goes to the borders of China to purchase rhubarb, to whomall the rhubarb is delivered, and he is strictly ordered to select carefully the best pieces only, and to burn all the decayed and bad. Upon the return of the caravan to Moscow or Petersburgh, it is again put into the hands of persons skilled in pharmacy, who have the care of its being properly dressed, and of none but the true sort being admitted; so that after all these cautions none but the choicest and fairest pieces can be exported. If, then, such a selection were made here, and it were kept a due time. the British rhubarb might probably equal any of the foreign ; especially if other circumstances were attended to, which will be men. tioned when we come to the culture andcuring of it. |