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Stated at copyright: "First Published in Great Britain 1947." The scarce British first edition in original wrapper. Handy 5" x 7 1/2" design. Green cloth boards, sharp stylized gilt spine titles with W. H. Allen gilt colophon, light shelf wear. Pages near fine; no writing. Beautiful green floral owner's stamp at front pastedown: "John Stanley Gledhill". Bind fine, square; hinges intact. Original pictorial wrapper, light edge wear, rub; clipped, protected in new clear sleeve. Unique wrapper art for this edition by H. G. Polaine. Near fine rarity in very good dust wrapper. Romance, bloodshed, and the glitter of gold mark the quest for the great malaria cure. Malaria has resulted in more poverty, sickness, and death than almost any other scourge, even war. Presented here is the story of humanity's battle with this disease from a likely cause of Alexander of Macedon's death at the height of his power. From B. C. to World War II, when malaria may have accounted for more than half the total causualties as malaria was a major concern of the Pacific campaign. Contents: "Of Fevers; The Countess's Powder; The Jesuits' Powder; Philosophical Interlude; The Wonderful Secret of the Englishman; The Fever Bark Tree; The Botanical Institute of the New Kingdom of Granada; The Breaking of the Spell; Scientific Interlude; Poor Man's Quinine; The Betrayal; Rich Man's Quinine; Hercules, the Hydra, and the Birds; Bataan, and Corregidor; and, Of Fevers". This is the story of quinine, the life-saving remedy that has been the only effective remedy for controlling the dreaded disease. M. L. Duran-Reynals presents an interesting narrative thread jockeying between key individuals and eras that were instrumental in bringing quinine - finally - into the light for everyone to use. The Jesuits and Britain kept it hidden as an advantage. Cinchona, the fever bark tree quinine is derived, was sacred to the natives of the high Andes where it grew. When first discovered by the Spanish, death was the punishment for those who tried to exploit its magic. Later Cardinal de Lugo promoted the use of quinine, but his efforts were in vain when the "Jesuits' Powder" became the center of a raging religious controversy. An Englishman, who was not a physician by trade, cured the aristocracy of two countries; but, was forced hide this to avoid the Popish Plot of King Charles II's. Indians on the high Andes slopes, planters in India and Java, powerful financiers in Lond and Amsterdam, all played their part with the botantists, chemists, and naturalistis in the amazing pageant of quinine. The Fever Bark Tree is the result of years of research, but Druan-Reynals, with her back ground of medicine and scholarship on two contenents, has preseneted her myriad facts into a colorful fast-paced suspense that is an enjoyable informative read. Made and Printed in Great Britain by Hazel, Watson and Viney, Limited, London and Aylesbury. 251 pages. Insured post. Size: 12mo - over 6¾" - 7¾" tall.
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