Salix.

The bark of Salix alba.

Preparation.—Tincture of Salix.

Dose.—From five drops to one drachm.

Therapeutic Action.—The Willow bark is tonic, stomachic, antiperiodic, astringent, and antiseptic. It possesses very energetic tonic properties, associated with astringency. It has been resorted to as a substitute for Cinchona in the treatment of intermittents—its action upon the system being similar but feebler, and like that of Cornus florida. It has been exhibited with advantage in dyspeptic affections, when accompanied with or dependent on debility of the digestive organs.

Salicine.

Dose.—As a tonic in general debility, one or two grains four or five times daily; as an antiperiodic, five to ten grains five or six times daily; or from forty to sixty during the intermission, to be given in substance.

Therapeutic Action.—Salicine is tonic and antiperiodic. Much discrepancy of opinion obtains among medical men relative to the efficacy of Salicin or Salicine in diseases of periodicity. While some have regarded it not only as equal but superior to the sulphate of quinine as an antiperiodic, others have ascribed to it but feeble antiperiodic powers. There can be no doubt that it is possessed of valuable tonic properties, and as such may be prescribed in cases of general debility, in dyspepsia, intermittents, remittents, and in rheumatism showing evidences of periodicity. It has been claimed to exert the same influence over rheumatism as salicylic acid, and in some cases to be better.

The American Eclectic Materia Medica and Therapeutics, 1898, was written by John M. Scudder, M.D.