SALIX ALBA. ORD. IL. Amentacezx. — ll 
from 1 to 2 parts of sulphurie acid, weakened with water; immedi- 
"ately on shaking this mixture, a flaky precipitate separates, produced by the 
tannin; while the salicine is combined with the sulphuric acid: the liquor, 
which by this means acquires a straw colour, passes with facility, and per-. 
fectly clear, through a filter. To obtain the salicine without combination, 
we must separate the acid employed, by carbonate of barytes or of lime, a 
process which gives a red tint to the liquor: this, being separated from the 
precipitate, is immediately evaporated to the consistence of syrup, and after- 
wards treated by six to eight times its weight of alcohol, which determines 
the formation of a red, flaky deposit ; it then only remains to filter and eva- 
porate the liquor to obtain the salicine. 
Salicine, when pure, is in the form of yellowish, shining, transparent, 
brittle, crystals; taste extremely bitter, resembling quinine; soluble in water 
in all proportions; also in alcohol, but insoluble in ether, and the essential 
oils.* We have no doubt but salicine may be used with advantage under 
many circumstances, as a substitute for quinine. 
Medical Properties and Uses. The bark of this willow, and also that-of 
the salix fragilis (crack willow)t and the salix saprea (round leaved sallow), 
have been given as a substitute for the cinchona barks, in the cure of inter- 
mittent and remittent fevers. The Rev. Mr. Stone, of Chipping-Norton, 
Oxfordshire, was the first who drew the attention of physicians to the bark 
of the white willow; he gave it successfully in doses of one drachm of the 
powder, every two, three, or four hours, between the paroxysms. In quar- 
tans, and a few obstinate cases, he occasionally added one-fifth of the Peru- 
vian bark.t It has also been administered with success in cases of debility, 
and in other diseases, requiring the aid of bitter, astringent medicines. 
Willow bark may be given in decoction :—* An ounce anda half of the 
dried bark should be first macerated for six hours in two pounds of water, 
and then made to boil in it for ten or fifteen minutes. An ounce or two of 
this decoction may be given three or four times a day, or oftener.” || For the 
cure of intermittents, the bark, in substance finely powdered, may be ex- 
hibited in doses of from one to two drachms. , 
* Journal de Pharmacie, No. iv. 1830. p. 247. + Vide vol.i. p. 19 of this Work. 
t Phil. Trans. vol. liii. p. 195. —_|| Edin. New Dispens. 11th Ed. 
