Since the lowered mortality rate from malaria enabled Europeans to live in areas where the disease was prevalent, quinine has been seen as a tool of nineteenth century colonialism that was critical for empire expansion throughout Asia and Africa.
Why was quinine important to the spread of European imperialism?
From its first use in Africa by early explorers to its use by colonists once colonial rule was established, quinine enabled the expansion of British power in Africa until that power reached its colonial height . ... Malaria, while deadly, acted as a barrier and protected Africans from colonization.
What are the benefits of quinine?
Benefits and uses of quinine
Quinine's primary benefit is for the treatment of malaria . It's not used to prevent malaria, but rather to kill the organism responsible for the disease. When used to treat malaria, quinine is given in a pill form.
Why was quinine an important discovery?
According to legend, quinine was discovered as a malaria cure in 1631 when the Countess of Cinchona, a Spanish noblewoman married to the viceroy of Peru, fell ill with a high fever and severe chills – the classic symptoms of malaria.
What did the discovery of the drug quinine do for the Europeans?
The European colonizers first sent the bark to Europe around the 17th century, probably by way of Jesuit missionaries. Thereby cementing it as a “popish” medicine in the minds of many protestants. Nevertheless it provided a superior cure to a variety of fevers prevalent in Europe, particularly in its swampish regions.
How did quinine affect Europe?
Since the lowered mortality rate from malaria enabled Europeans to live in areas where the disease was prevalent, quinine has been seen as a tool of nineteenth century colonialism that was critical for empire expansion throughout Asia and Africa.
Who brought quinine to Europe?
How it works as a medicine is not entirely clear. Quinine was first isolated in 1820 from the bark of a cinchona tree, which is native to Peru. Bark extracts had been used to treat malaria since at least 1632 and it was introduced to Spain as early as 1636 by Jesuit missionaries from the New World .
Why is quinine banned?
In early 2007, FDA banned all prescription quinine products other than Qualaquin. FDA acted in this manner because of a perception that quinine is not effective for this condition and that its risk potential far exceeds its efficacy potential .
Why do they put quinine in tonic water?
Quinine comes from the bark of the cinchona tree. This tree is native to central and South America, as well as some islands in the Caribbean and western parts of Africa. People have consumed quinine in tonic water to help treat cases of malaria for centuries .
Is quinine a muscle relaxant?
Quinine sulfate at a dose of 200–300 mg at night has been used for many years to treat nocturnal leg cramps . Usually idiopathic, these muscle cramps are common, particularly in older patients. Quinine may help by decreasing the excitability of the motor end-plate and increasing the muscle refractory period.
How does quinine affect the body?
Quinine is used to treat malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum. Plasmodium falciparum is a parasite that gets into the red blood cells in the body and causes malaria. Quinine works by killing the parasite or preventing it from growing.
Is quinine a blood thinner?
A. Coumadin (warfarin) and quinine are a no-no! When these compounds are combined, the anticoagulant effect may be magnified. There are cases of hemorrhage associated with this interaction.
Is quinine poisonous?
Quinine, termed a “general protoplasmic poison” is toxic to many bacteria, yeasts , and trypanosomes, as well as to malarial plasmodia. Quinine has local anesthetic action but also is an irritant. The irritant effects may be responsible in part for the nausea associated with its clinical use.
Is quinine still used for malaria?
Quinine in the management of severe malaria. The treatment of severe malaria requires prompt, safe, and effective intravenous anti-malarial drugs. Over the years, quinine has been the mainstay in the treatment of severe malaria and still remains the first line drug in most African countries [24].
Is quinine still used today?
The answer is yes, with some caveats. Quinine is still used to treat malaria today , although doctors typically reserve it for cases when the pathogen responsible for the disease displays resistance to newer drugs.
Is quinine an antibiotic?
Quinine inhibits nucleic acid synthesis, protein synthesis, and glycolysis in Plasmodium falciparum and can bind with hemazoin in parasitized erythrocytes. PO quinine sulfate is indicated only for treatment of uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria. Quinine should be taken with food to minimize GI discomfort.
