The Mucilages are prepared by extracting a mucilaginous drug with Water or dissolving a Gum in Water. The following four are official:

Gm. in 100 Cc, Mucilago - or percentage.

Acaciae..........................................................lime water 33; acacia

34.

Sassafras Medullae....................................................sassafras pith

2

Tragacanthae..............................................glycerin 18; tragacanth

6.

Ulmi.....................................................................slippery-elm bark

6.

The Mucilages are chiefly employed as vehicles in Mixtures to aid in suspending insoluble substances; as excipients in Pills and Troches; and as emulsifying agents. They are sometimes used for their demulcent effect.