DUSTING POWDERS 479 



AMYLUM — STARCH 



'Synonym. Com Starch 



Amylum is the starch separated from the grain of Zea Mays. 



Starch occurs in the form of a fine white powder or in friable 

 white masses. It is insoluble in cold water or alcohol. When 

 mixed with boiling water it forms a transparent gelatinous mixture. 

 Starch is used as a dusting powder and protective in erythema and 

 chafing. Since starch is decomposed by the heat and moisture of 

 the tissues it is better to add boric acid to it as a preservative. Starch 

 poultice or jelly is sometimes used to soften and remove crusts in 

 chronic inflammations of the skin. Starch water is a soothing in- 

 jection in irritations of the rectum. It is prepared by mixing about 

 a teaspoonful of starch in 2 ounces of water and boiling until the 

 mixture becomes translucent. Then dilute with water to make one 

 pint, or it may be prepared by boiling the starch with the total 

 amount of water at the outset. 



GLYCYRRHIZA — LICORICE ROOT 



This is the root of Glycyrrhiza glabra typica (Spanish licorice) or 

 Glycyrrhiza glabra glanduliferd (Russian licorice). 

 Preparations and Doses. 

 Qlycyrrhiza. 



Extractum Glycyrrhizce Purum. Pure extract. 

 Fluidextractum Glycyrrhizce. 

 Mistura Glycyrrhizce. Brown Mixture. 



Doses. Dog, 3 j — ijss; 4. — 10. 



Licorice is a very feeble drug. It is a popular remedy for coughs 

 and colds in which case it serves as a demulcent. It is more largely 

 used to cover the disagreeable taste of other drugs. 



The following substances are occasionally Used as demulcents : 



Sassafras Medulla — Sassafras pith 



IJmulus — Slippery elm bark 



Althaea — Marshmallow. 



DUSTING POWDERS 



Dusting powders are used to protect the skin. Some remedies are 

 applied as dusting powders for their antiseptic properties but they 

 are not included in this group. The most important are : 

 Talcum Zinc Oxide 



Kaolin Chalk 



Starch Magnesium carbonate 



Lycopodium 



