26 vVNSKRTT MATERIA MEDINA. 



SULPHUR. 



Sans, iprer Qandhaka. 



Four varieties of sulphur are mentioned by Sanskrit writers, 

 namely, red, yellow, white and black. Of these the red and black 

 are not now available. The yellow variety or vitreous sulphur is 

 called dmld-sdr, because its semi-transparent crystals resemble 

 the translucent ripe fruits of the amalaki (Phyllanthus emblica). 

 It is preferred for internal use in combination with mercury. 

 The white variety or ordinary roll sulphur is inferior to the 

 yellow, and used for external application ifi skin diseases. 



Sulphur is purified by being washed in milk. It is first 

 dissolved in an iron ladle smeared with butter and then gradually 

 poured into a basin of milk. When cool and solidified it is fit for 

 use. Dose twelve to twenty-four grains with milk or other vehicle. 



Sulphur is described as of bitter, astringent taste, with a 

 peculiar strong smell. It increases bile, acts as a laxative and 

 alterative, and is useful in skin*diseases, rheumatism, consump- 

 tion, enlarged spleen etc. In combination with mercury it is 

 used in almost all diseases. The circumstance of its readily 

 combining with and fixing metalic mercury, has led to its 

 extensive use in combination with that metal. 



In skin-diseases sulphur is used both internally and exter- 

 nally. Internally it is given with milk or in the shape of a 

 sulphurated butter, prepared from milk boiled with the addition 

 of sulphur. The butter thus obtained is called Gandha taila, and 

 is taken internally, and applied externally, in skin-diseases. 1 

 Sulphur and yavakshara (an impure carbonate of potash), mixed 

 with mustard oil, is applied in pityriasis psoriasis etc. 2 Sulphur 

 enters into the composition of a large number of applications for 

 skin diseases, the following is an example. 





2. 



*mr«prifa s^rait^ 3fam i farm *n* mwt tt^m^ 



^m; i 



