Botanic Drugs 



CANTH and similar gums too well known to require 

 discussion. 



Pill excipients are many, and they need no elab- 

 oration here. Many substances are merely demul- 

 cent. Acacia and tragacanth are such. GELATIN, 

 although nutritious, is used separately and as 

 GLYCERINATED GELATINE, as a demulcent basis for 

 medicated pastilles. Althaea officinalis, MARSH- 

 MALLOW, is a most agreeable demulcent containing 

 mucilage. LINSEED TEA, Linum, is an agreeable 

 demulcent of value in bronchitis. The oil (Flaxseed 

 oil) is used as a pharmaceutical base, especially in 

 Linimentum Calcis. ULMUS, Ulmusfulva, SLIPPERY 

 ELM, is another useful demulcent. SWEET ALMONDS, 

 triturated with sugar and gum acacia, make a 

 popular demulcent mixture. More active agents, 

 such as GLYCYRRHIZA, q. v., are demulcent. Cetaria, 

 ICELAND Moss, is a good demulcent. STARCH and 

 GLYCERITE OF STARCH are used mechanically and as 

 demulcents. 



The EMOLLIENTS are many. The vegetable oils 

 are often used in this connection. POULTICES are 

 also made of numerous vegetable substances. Veg- 

 etable oils enter into official soaps, liniments, etc. 



DUSTING POWDERS are largely of mineral origin, 

 but starch is also used. LYCOPODIUM has the prop- 

 erty of absorbing oils and resins and so is a most 

 excellent protective in intertrigo and similar affec- 

 tions. It is of service in protecting hygroscopic 

 substances and in the making of extempore pill 

 masses. 



Rubber, gutta-percha, cotton, vegetable wax, 

 rosin, mastic, and many other vegetable substances 

 are used mechanically in medicine and pharmacy. 



