445 



SECTION XVI.— VEGETABLE DRUGS ACTING 

 MECHANICALLY. 



Amylum. starch. C„H,„05. (U. S. & B. P.) 



Synonym. — Corn starch, E. ; f^cule (amidon) de maize, Fr. ; kraftmehl, mais- 

 starke, G. 



The starch grains obtained from the fruit of Zea Mays Linn6 (nat. ord. 

 Gramineae) . 



Habitat. — Western hemisphere. 



Description. — In fine powder or irregular, angular white masses, consisting 

 of somewhat spherical, but usually polygonal grains, about 0.010 to 0.025 mm. in 

 diameter, with a lenticular, circular, or triangular central fissure; inodorous and 

 tasteless; insoluble in cold water or alcohol; forming a whitish jelly when boiled 

 with water, which when cool gives a deep blue color with iodine T. S. ; triturated. 



Constituents. — 1, starch-granulose ; 2, starch-cellulose. 



PREPARATION. 



Olyceritum Amyli. (U. S. P.) (See p. 427.) 

 Olycerinum Amyli. (B. P.) 



Action and Uses. — Starch is a mechanical protective externally, used 

 as a dusting powder, alone or with zinc oxide (1-4), in chafing, erythema, 

 and moist eczema. The glycerite of starch is a serviceable demulcent. 

 Boiled starch paste, mixed with glue, is used to stiffen bandages by paint- 

 ing the mixture on in layers with a brush. Boiled starch gruel (2 table- 

 spoons of starch to a pint of water) is a suitable diet for diarrhea, and 

 is frequently injected into the rectum as a demulcent in diarrhea and 

 dysentery, and as a vehicle for enemata. Starch is an antidote to iodine. 

 It is utilized in pharmacy as a vehicle to suspend insoluble powders or 

 oils, and in mucilage (1-40, B. P.), as a basis for ointments. Zinc oxide, 

 one part; starch and vaseline, each 3 parts, form a very satisfactory 

 preparation for acute eczema in dogs, which does not rub off so readily 

 as zinc ointment. 



Oleum Theobromatis. Oil of Theobroma. (U. S. & B. P.) 



Synonym. — Butter of cacao, E.; beurre de cacao, Fr. ; kacaobutter, G. ; oleum 

 (butyrum) cacao, P. G. 



A fixed oil expressed from the roasted seed of Theobroma Cacao Linn6 (nat. 

 ord. Sterculiacese). 



Properties. — A yellowish-white solid, having a faint, agreeable odor, and a 

 bland, chocolate-like taste. Readily soluble in ether or chloroform. 



Constituents. — 1, olein; 2, stearin; 3, theobromine, C,H„N402, an alkaloid; 4, 

 glycerides of formic, butyric, and acetic acids. 



Uses. — Cacao butter melts at the temperature of the body, and is 

 chiefly used as an excipient for suppositories and electuaries. It also 

 has a demulcent action and may be employed on raw surfaces or in in- 

 flammation of the throat and digestive tract. 



GossypiuM Purificatum. Purified Cotton. (U. S. P.) 

 Synonym. — Absorbent cotton, E.; cotton absorbant, Fr.; gereinigte baum- 

 woUe, G. 



The hairs of the seed of Gossypium herbaceum Linn6, and of other culti- 

 vated species of Gossypium (nat. ord. Malvaceae), freed from adhering impurities 

 and deprived of fatty matter. 



Habitat. — Tropical Asia and Africa; cultivated in subtropical and tropical 

 countries, mostly in the Southern United States. 



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