296 Botanic Drugs 



SALICINUM 



SALICIN. A glucoside derived from several species 

 of willow and poplar trees and from other plants. 



This agent is allied to salicylic acid, q. v.; but it 

 is not antiseptic unless decomposed into its con- 

 stituents, glucose and saligenin. This latter is 

 further decomposed into salicylic acid, salicylic 

 aldehyde, and salicyluric acid. 



THERAPEUTICS. Similar to that of the salicy- 

 lates. Adequate dosage double that of sodium 

 salicylate gives, in the main, the same results. 

 It is less likely to disturb the stomach than is the 

 synthetic salicylic salt. The drug has, however, 

 been separately recommended in the treatment of 

 lupus erythematosus, and in the acute stage of polio- 

 myelitis, to relieve the pain. In my experience, 

 salicin is too slow in action ever to take the place 

 of the salicylates in acute or urgent conditions. 

 Natural not synthetic salicylates do not disturb 

 digestion to any appreciable extent; so the natural 

 products are usually to be preferred to salicin. 



Salicin is given in doses of from 10 to 30 grains. 



SAL VIA 



SAGE, Salvia officinalis. Almost universally offi- 

 cial, but has been deleted from the U. S. P. IX. 

 Contains tannin, resin, and a volatile oil. Dose of 

 the powdered leaves, 20 to 40 grains. 



Sage is an aromatic tonic and astringent much 

 used as a domestic remedy in fevers, night-sweats, 

 etc., and as an astringent gargle in sore throat in 

 the form of the decoction. Sage is one of the really 

 valuable mints. 



