The influence of German science on Cinchona and quinine research in Portugal in the second half of the 19 th century

This paper examines the contribution of three Portuguese scientists to cultivation in the former Portuguese colonies in the second half of the 19 century, while discussing the importance of their studies in Germany to their professional lives. Portuguese pharmaceutical, medical, and botanical literature from the 19 th and 20 th century was reviewed, as well as books and articles regarding the history of pharmacy and medicine in Portugal. bark, source of the antimalarial alkaloid quinine, is obtained from a South American plant, and was an important commodity in the 19 century. Many European nations (including Portugal) tried to acclimatize and cultivate plants in their colonies. Pharmacist Joaquim dos Santos e Silva (1842-1906) performed chemical analysis of bark samples from the Portuguese colonies in Africa. Forester Bernardino Barros Gomes (1839-1910) wrote a book with practical instructions for cultivation and chronicled the history of plantations in the British and Dutch colonies. In that work he also encouraged private planters to cultivate . Forester Adolpho Frederico Möller (1842-1920), as inspector of the Botanical Garden of Coimbra, managed plants' cultivation in the garden's nurseries, which were later sent to the colonies, and answered queries from planters. Silva's chemistry studies in Germany were crucial to his career and the work of the three scientists was influenced and guided by their knowledge of German science and scientific culture.