Composed of washed sulphur, 150; benzoinated lard, 850.
ACTIONS.--Sulphur applied to skin or mucous surfaces is a feeble,
mechanical stimulant, and hence relieves chronic passive congestion. It
destroys parasitic infestation of the skin. Administered internally it
is a laxative and alterative. It destroys fungi on vines and kills
similar parasites affecting plants and animals. How much of this toxic
effect depends on the sulphur acting as sulphur, and how much on the
alkaline sulphides, sulphuretted hydrogen and sulphurous acid into which
it is gradually converted, has not been determined. Sulphur when
swallowed is slowly acted upon by the alkaline secretions of the
intestines, and small quantities are converted into sulphides, which
stimulate the intestinal mucous membrane. A further change liberates
sulphuretted hydrogen, which imparts its disagreeable smell to the
breath, secretions of the skin and bowels. The greater part of the
sulphur swallowed is removed unchanged by the bowels, but a portion is
excreted in the urine as sulphates. Over-doses given to horses and other
animals cause colic, purging, prostration and sometime fatal
gastro-enteritis.
USES.--Sulphur is given to the several domestic animals as a laxative
where more powerful purgatives might irritate--as in pregnancy,
convalescence from acute diseases in young animals, and in piles.
Its alterative and stimulant effects on the skin have led to its use in
rheumatism, eczema and cutaneous diseases. Some veterinarians affirm
that it benefits dry congested conditions of the respiratory membrane by
stimulating its epithelial cells and increasing movements of the cilia.
It has no special vermicide action. Sulphur dusted on the skin slightly
stimulates, but when dissolved by admixture with an alkali or oil, and
smartly rubbed in, it more actively stimulates the cells of the rete
Malpighi and thus hastens desquamation; while it also increases
contractility of the muscular textures, and hence overcomes passive
cutaneous hyperaemia. It thus promotes a healthier action in chronic
eczema and psoriasis, and in such cases sulphur dressings are used with
benefit combined or alternated with iodine or tar acids, and are aided
by the internal use of sulphur and arsenic. Infriction of sulphur
ointment is stated to relieve the pain of rheumatic muscles and joints.
Sulphurous gas from burning sulphur is used for husk or hoose of sheep
and calves; this is a disease in which worms affect the bronchial tubes,
due to strongylus micrurus in calves and strongylus filaria in sheep.
The patients are placed in a loose box and sulphur is burned about six
feet away from them, so that air may dilute the fumes before being
inhaled by the animals; let them inhale the fumes for ten or twenty
minutes or longer, unless irritation is too great.