QUININE

An alkaline base obtained from yellow bark; the Cinrhnna cord i folia. This subtfance, combined with sulphuric arid, forms the anarteca iato, which Is now so extensively used as a medicine, it substitute for the various forms of Peruvian bark. To obtain quinin, bruised yellow bark is boiled in repeated [tortious of water, acidulated by sulphuric acid, till all its soluble matters are extracted; a little exce of quicklime is then added 10 the strained decoction, and the precipitate which is formed is collected, washed, and carefully dried;;t la then digested in alcohol, which takes up the quinia, ind from which it may be obtained in the form of a yellowsh uncrystallizable substance by careful evaporation. It is di olved in dilute sulphuric acid, and the sulphate of quinine,or quinia, crystallizes from its concentrated solution in fine silky prisms, which effloresce on exposure to air. Sulphate oi" quinia is difficultly soluble in water, and intensely bitter. It is administered as a tonic and febrifuge of from one to five or six grains. QUINQUAGESIMA SUNDAY, in the Calendar, is the seventh Sunday before Easter, and consequently about the fiftieth day before that festival; whence the origin of the term. [s. 1029]