The Fever Bark Tree: The Pageant of Quinine

Rare first edition in original dust wrapper. Includes a Doubleday pre-publication original 8" x 10" photograph of the dynamic cover art in black & white. Stated First Edition at copyright. 1946 at title page and Copyright 1946 by M. L. Duran-Reynals. Dark grey full cloth boards, gilt spine titles, moderate shelf wear. Between spine titles is unique patterned gilt design that almost appears as two vertical helixes emblematic of helical DNA strands popularized in 1968. Deckled pages near fine, clean; attractive toning. Sepia antiquarian bookplate inside cover of potted plant upon book stack: "Donna Davidson" and printed below name: "Durban, S. Africa, 1946". Bind fine; hinges intact. Scarce original wrapper, moderate edge wear, rub, discoloration; unclipped 2.75, protected in new clear sleeve. Classic mid-century color painting wrapping around to spine by Miguel Covarrubias in rich green and earthen hues of hands with machete slicing bark from jungle forest. Sharp complete first edition of this prescient historical content for humanity. 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; Of Fevers; and, a Bibliography". 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. Features a detailed chapter by chapter 8-page bibliography; also, fine 8-page index. Printed in the United States of America by The Country Life Press, Garden City, N. Y. 275 pages. Insured post. Size: 8vo - over 7¾ - 9¾" Tall.…