_Sublimed Sulphur._ _Flowers of Sulphur._
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION. It is probably a triple compound of oxygen,
hydrogen, and some unknown base. SOLUBILITY. It is insoluble in water
and alcohol, but soluble in oils, especially in that of linseed, which
is a powerful solvent of all sulphureous substances. In boiling oil of
turpentine it is entirely soluble. MEDICINAL USES. It is laxative and
diaphoretic; it acts principally upon the large intestines, and very
mildly, whence it proves useful in hæmorrhoidal affections (_Form. 74_);
and in consequence of the diaphoresis which it also excites, it is
useful in chronic rheumatisms, catarrhs, and in some cutaneous
affections.[654] To promote its purgative effects, _magnesia_ will be
found a serviceable adjunct in hæmorrhoids; it may be given in the form
of an electuary, or suspended in milk; its solution in oil (_Oleum
Sulphuratum_) is a most nauseous and acrid preparation. When sulphur is
combined with metallic remedies, it generally lessens their activity.
Its effects in curing psora are universally admitted, and the only
objection to its use is the disgusting smell which accompanies its
application; see _Unguent: Sulphuris_. Dr. Clarke of Dublin recommends a
lotion which he says contains a sufficient impregnation of sulphur for
the cure of psora in children, to be made by adding an ounce of broken
sulphur to a quart of boiling water, and allowing it to infuse for
twelve hours. In this process, the water probably takes up a small
portion of sulphurous acid; it is difficult to explain the efficacy of
the lotion in any other manner. When sulphur is internally administered,
it transpires through the skin in the state of sulphuretted hydrogen,
and blackens the silver in the pockets of those who take it. DOSE ʒj to
ʒiij. OFFICINAL PREP. _Sulphur Lotum._ L.E.D. _Sulphur Præcipitatum._ L.
_Unguent. Sulph._ L.E.D. _Unguent. Sulph. comp._ L.
SULPHUR LOTUM. When sulphur is kept in loosely covered drawers its
surface is soon acidified, when it is said to operate with griping,
hence the common _flowers_ are directed to be washed with water to get
rid of any sulphurous acid; it is however rarely performed, and would
seem to be a useless subtlety.
SULPHUR PRÆCIPITATUM. L. _Lac Sulphuris_, P.L. 1720. This, when pure,
differs in no other respect from sublimed sulphur than in its superior
whiteness, which it owes to the presence of a small proportion of water;
in consequence however of its mode of preparation, it always contains a
small quantity of sulphate of lime, and not unfrequently other
impurities; it may be assayed by pouring upon a suspected sample a
sufficient quantity of _liquor potassæ_ to cover it, and setting it
aside in a warm place to digest, when the sulphur will be dissolved and
the impurities remain; or it might be at once subjected to the operation
of heat; which would volatilize the sulphur, and thus separate it from
its contaminations.