418 WILLOW. 



ler * recommends baths made of the decoction for strength- 

 ening the debilitated limbs of children. 



The dose of the pulverized bark is from half a drachm to a 

 drachm, combined with cinchona, aromatics, or carbonate of 

 iron, as the case may require. A strong decoction is however 

 preferable. 



DECOCTION OF WILLOW BARK. 



Take of Willow bark, bruised two ounces ; 



Water two pints. 



Boil down to one pint and strain. It may be rendered palatable by the 

 addition of the tincture of Angelica, or any other aromatic tincture ; or a 

 few bruised cloves may be added just before the decoction is strained, and 

 it may be sweetened with honey. 



Dose. —A cupful thrice a day. 



The aqueous extract may be given in the dose of fifteen to 

 twenty grains. The dose of the active principle, salicin, is 

 four or five grains thrice a day. 



The other species of Willow before enumerated, possess 

 analogous properties to the White Willow. One of the most 

 common, S. caprea, whose handsome yellow blossoms deco- 

 rate the hedges in early spring, is often called Palm, from its 

 coming into flower about Palm-Sunday, and the catkins are 

 named by the peasantry Goslings. The S. purpurea deserves 

 trial on account of its intense bitterness. Experiments, indeed, 

 should be made in order to determine the comparative value of 

 the different kinds of Willow -f~, as the ravages made upon the 

 Cinchona?, may render a substitute for quinine of the utmost 

 consequence. 



* Hist. St. Helv. n. 1635. 



f Such experiments have in part been made by Dr. Loffler. (See Rkhter''s 

 Chirurg. Library, vol. vii. p. 789.) 



