The reader is referred to the U. S. Dispensatory for an account of the mode of preparing this substance, and of its peculiar sensible and chemical properties. in decoction, it is used chiefly as a vehicle for substances given by enema, when it is desirable as much as possible to obtund their acrimony, and thus enable them to be retained. it may also be administered alone, as an injection, in order to allay irritation of the rectum by its demulcent property. in the powdered state, it is sometimes dusted over irritated surfaces, to prevent excoriation, and absorb acrid secretions. in cases of poisoning from free iodine, starch should be introduced freely into the stomach as an antidote.

Mucilage of Starch (Mucilago Amyli, Br.; Decoctum Amyli, Lond.) is prepared by boiling for a short time two drachms of the starch in ten fluidounces of water. it has a whitish gelatinous appearance on cooling. When it is given by injection, as a vehicle for laudanum, one or two fluidounces may be used at once; when as a mere demulcent, from four fluidounces to a pint.