AM′ADOU

(-ăh-dōō). Syn. German tinder , Touch′wood , Pyrotech′nic sponge , Spunk‡§ , Surgeon’s Ag′aric , A. of the oak , .; Agar′icus quer′cûs , A. quer′nus , A. Chirurgo′′rum , Fun′gus quer′cûs , ., L.; Amadou , Agaric Amadou vier , Fr.; Zunderschwamm. Ger. A soft, spongy, combustible substance, being the prepared flesh of bole′tus foment a′′rius (Linn.), an indigenous species of fungus found on the oak, birch, and a few other trees ( REAL AMADOU or OAK-AGARIC ); for which b. ignia′′rius (Linn.), a like fungus, found on the willow, cherry, plum, and other trees, is frequently substituted. Collec., Prep., . The outer bark of the fungus (collected in Aug. or Sept.) having been removed with a knife, the inner spongy substance is carefully separated from the woody portion lying below, and after being cut into slices, is well beaten with a mallet until sufficiently soft and pliable. Sometimes it is first boiled in water, in order to separate the epidermis and porous parts, and to free it from soluble matter; after which it is beaten as before. In this state it is used in surgery , . To complete its manufacture for TINDER , it is soaked once, or oftener, in a strong solution of saltpetre ( RED AMADOU ; BROWN A. ); or in a thin paste made of gunpowder and water, which is thoroughly forced into the pores ( BLACK A. ); after which it is dried, and well rubbed to free it from loose matter. The first is the more cleanly; the last the more combustible. Uses, . A light brown or reddish-brown substance. In surgery , pharmacy , ., it is used to stop local bleeding, to spread plasters on, as a compre , and for other like purposes. When covered with resin-plaster it forms an excellent article for the protection of abraded surfaces. A small piece thus prepared, of a circular shape, having a round hole cut in the middle, the size of the apex of the corn, is one of the very best corn-plasters known; as from its great softne it at once protects the part from pre ure, and removes the cause. As a material for shoe-socks it is superior to all other substances. The amadou for surgical purposes must not contain nitre.