E. R. Wing to Mr. Fish
Sir: Observing that a very general interest has been evinced throughout the United States concerning the “cundurango,” I have deemed it proper to forward a few facts relative thereto, in addition to the statements contained in my dispatches 54 and 61. I have been literally overwhelmed with letters on the subject from all parts of America and several of the countries of Europe, containing all sorts of inquiries, requests, suggestions, propositions, and demands.
I have endeavored to answer such of these letters as in my judgment deserved it, courteously and explicitly, but unfortunately my medical attainments have not permitted me to reply to all the intricate interrogatives upon the subject of pharmacy, surgery, botany, chemistry, materia medica, therapeutics, &c., &c., that have been propounded to me.
Nor, on the other hand, have I felt financially justified in sending “just a small box of the wood” to the numerous applicants who have made such requests.
From matters that have come to my knowledge I trust that there will soon be an ample supply of the drug in the United States.
Despite the adverse opinions that I hear have been rendered against it in some medical quarters in North America, I am still not disposed to surrender my faith in its remarkable curative properties.
Of course, I am not prepared to enter upon any theoretical or scientific analysis thereof, but I cannot shut my eyes to the practical results of its use not only in this country, but in eminent and responsible quarters in the States, two at least of which must be within the knowledge of the Department.
From the facts originally reported to me, I first felt it a matter of official duty and of real humanity to call attention to the “cundurango.”
[Page 262]I believe that it is always best to risk the chance of failure, rather than to neglect to test an experiment which may result in infinite good.
I am now awaiting the effect in three notable cases, which will be ultimately reported to the Department.
The American consul at Guayaquil will soon be able to forward to the Department various facts in regard to the wood, as he is now giving it close and careful attention and investigation.
A medical gentleman from Washington, who came to Ecuador with high credentials, also reports very favorably concerning it. President Moreno conceived it of sufficient importance to advert to it in his message of August 10 to the Ecuadorian Congress.
If I may place credence in the opinions of medical men here, who have had the advantages of fine training and much practice, it has also proven very beneficial as well in neuralgic and rheumatic affections as in those set forth in my original communication.
It must be a powerful nervous stimulant, and in due season may become of use in the treatment of the spinal, cerebral, and paralytic diseases to which our people seem so singularly liable.
It certainly has eradicated in more than one instance what was called cancer. Further exploration has evinced the existence of several classes of the plant or vine, generally known as “cundurango” among the natives, which vary very much in their effects upon disease.
Hence the correspondence hereto appended (copy and translation 1 and 2) may be essential to purchasers and consumers.
Doubtless there is danger that ignorant or reckless speculators may foist an inferior or worthless article upon the markets; and that the genuine and efficacious species may not everywhere receive a thorough and proper trial. Hence much care should be exercised until the best quality has become well known to drug dealers and the medical fraternity.
The publication of an accurate chemical analysis and physical and fibrous description of the wood sent to the Department some months ago would be valuable in this connection.
No export tax has as yet been imposed upon the article by this government, but I learn that such an one will soon be levied.
Several parties are already engaging largely in its exportation, and, judging from appearances, there will soon be many more in the same traffic.
Since this drug was first called to my attention, several local remedies used here in the treatment of certain other obstinate diseases have been mentioned to me.
I prefer, however, not to enter into any statement relative to them until I am more fully convinced of their utility.
I have, &c.,