636 VEGETABLE DRUGS 



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 tablespoons of starch to a pint of water) is a suitable 

 diet for diarrhoea, and is frequently injected into the rectum 

 as a demulcent in diarrhoea 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 Theobeomatis. Oil of Theobroma. 

 (U. S. & B. P.) 



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

 cacaobutter, G.; oleum (butyrum) cacao, P.G. 



A fixed oil expressed from the seed of Theobroma Cacao 

 Linne (nat. ord. Sterculiacese). 



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

 agreeable odor, and a bland, chocolate-like taste. Eeadily 

 soluble in ether or chloroform. 



Constituents. — 1, olein ; 2, stearin ; 3, laurin ; 4, arachin • 

 5, glycerides of formic, butyric, and acetic acids. 



Uses. — Cacao butter melts at the temperature of the 

 body, and is chiefly used as an exoipient for suppositories 

 and electuaries. It also has a demulcent action and may be 

 employed on raw surfaces or in inflammation of the throat 

 and digestive tract. 



GossYPiuM PuKiFiCATUM. Purified Cotton. (U. S. P.) 



Synonym. — Absorbent cotton, E.; bombyx, lana gossypii, 

 — coton, Pr.; baumwoUe, G. 



The hairs of the seed of Gossypium herbaceum Linne, 

 and of other species of Gossypium (nat. ord. Malvaceae), 



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