This section is from the book "A Text-Book Of Pharmacology, Therapeutics And Materia Medica", by T. Lauder Brunton. Also available from Amazon: A text-book of pharmacology, therapeutics and materia medica.
The starch procured from the grains of common wheat, Triticum sativum (T. vulgare); maize, Zea Mays; and rice, Oryza sativa.
Characters. - In white columnar or irregular angular masses, white, inodorous, and tasteless; easily powdered.
Solubility. - Insoluble in alcohol, ether, or cold water.
Reactions. - When rubbed in a Wedgwood mortar with a little cold distilled water it is neither acid nor alkaline to test-paper, and the filtered liquid does not become blue on the addition of solution of iodine. Mixed with boiling water and cooled, it gives a deep blue colour with iodine.
Preparations. | |||
B.P. | Dose. | ||
Glycerinum Amyli............................................. | 1 part in 10 by weight ................... | ||
Mucilago ,, ............................................ | 12 gr. to 1 fl. oz............................. | ||
Pulvis Tragacanthae Compositus ....................... | 1 part in 6....................................... | .20-60 gr. | |
Suppositoria Acidi Tannici cum Sapone. | |||
„ Morphinae cum Sapone. | |||
U.S.P. | |||
Amylum Iodatum | (starch, 95 parts; iodine, 5 parts). | ||
Glyceritum Amyli | (starch, 10 parts; glycerine, 90 parts). |
Uses. - The glycerine of starch forms a soothing application for chilblains and chapped hands. Amylum iodatum is really a preparation of iodine (q.v.). Starch is also used as a vehicle for enemata. Bandages saturated with it are used in surgery.
 
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