USUAL DOSE.—  5 to 20 ml 1 hour after each meal and at bedtime. Alumina, Magnesia, and Simethicone Oral Suspension (Mylanta, Gelusil) ACTION  AND  USE.—  This  drug  coats  the stomach  lining,  neutralizes  gastric  acid,  and reduces  flatulence. USUAL  DOSE.—   5  to  10  ml  1  hour  after meals and at bedtime. Magaldrate  (Riopan) ACTION  AND  USE.—   Magaldrate   is   the same as alumina and magnesia oral suspension, but  is  has  a  lower  sodium  content. USUAL  DOSE.—  5 to 10 ml between meals and at bedtime. ASTRINGENTS Astringents are drugs that cause shrinkage of the  skin  and  mucous  membranes.  They  act  by precipitating the proteins on the surface layer of the skin and mucus membranes. Their main use is  to  stop  seepage,  weeping,  or  discharge  from mucous  membranes. Aluminum Acetate Topical Solution (Burow’s  Solution) ACTION AND USE.—  This drug is an astrin- gent  wet  dressing  for  the  relief  of  inflammatory conditions of the skin, such as poison ivy, swell- ings  and  bruises,  insect  bites,  athlete’s  foot,  or other  environmental  skin  conditions  and  for superficial  external  otitis. USUAL  DOSE.—  Topical,  in  a  1:10  to  1:40 solution. Calamine  Lotion ACTION  AND  USE.—  Calamine  lotion  is used in the treatment of various skin afflictions in  the  same  way  as  aluminum  acetate.  It  is  an astringent and protective, which is used externally. It  should  not  be  applied  to  blistered,  raw,  or oozing  areas  of  the  skin. USUAL  DOSE.—  Apply to the affected area two  to  four  times  daily  and  at  bedtime. ABSORBENTS An adsorbent is a drug that attaches another substance to its surface. These drugs are used to adsorb  undesirable  substances. Activated Charcoal USP ACTION AND USE.—  This drug forms an ef- fective  barrier  between  any  remaining  particulate material  and  the  gastrointestinal  mucosa,  thus  in- hibiting gastrointestinal absorption. It is used as an  emergency  treatment  in  poisoning  by  most drugs  and  chemicals. USUAL   DOSE.—   30  to  100  g  within  30 minutes after ingestion of toxic substances. It is administered as a slurry and ingested by the pa- tient  or  administered  through  a  nasogastric  or lavage tube. EMOLLIENTS Emollients are bland or fatty substances that may be applied to the skin to make it more pliable and soft, and may also serve as vehicles for ap- plication of other medicinal substances. They are available  as  ointments,  creams,  or  lotions.  Ex- amples   not   discussed   include   Keri-Lotion, Eucerin-Lotion,   and   Lubriderm. Cocoa Butter (Theobroma Oil) ACTION AND USE.— Cocoa butter is an ex- cellent emollient with a pleasant odor. It is ideal for  the  treatment  of  chapped  skin  and  lips, cracked  nipples,  or  minor  irritated  or  abraded  skin areas. Hydrous Wool Fat (Lanolin) ACTION   AND   USE.—   This  is  a  smooth creamy  ointment  of  wool  fat.  It  is  an  ideal emollient  for  dry,  scaly  skin  conditions. Petrolatum (Petroleum Jelly) ACTION AND USE.—  Petrolatum  is  a  highly occlusive and good emollient. It may not release some  drugs  when  used  as  an  ointment  base. Zinc  Oxide  Ointment ACTION AND USE.— This is a white petro- latum  containing  approximately  20  percent  zinc 7-5