2.92 pliny's natural history. [Bonk XXXV, 



There are four kinds of sulphur ; the first of which is *' live*^ 

 sulphur, known as " apyron"^*by the Greeks, and found in solid 

 masses, or in other words, in blocks. This, too, is the only sulphur 

 that is extracted in its native state, the others being found in a 

 state of liquescence, and requiring to be purified by being boiled 

 in oil. This kind is green and transparent, and is the only 

 sulphur that is used for medicinal purposes. A second kind is 

 known as the " glebaceous"^" sulphur, and is solely employed in 

 the workshops of the fullers. The third kind, also, is only used 

 for a single purpose, that of fumigating wool, a process which 

 contributes very greatly to making the wool white and soft ; 

 '' egula"^^ is the name given to it. The fourth kind is used 

 in the preparation of matches more particularly. 



In addition to these several uses, sulphur is of such remark- 

 able virtue, that if it is thrown upon the fire it will at once 

 detect, by the smell, whether or not a person is subject to 

 epilepsy. Anaxilaiis used to employ this substance by way 

 of pastime : putting sulphur in a cup of wine, with some 

 hot coals beneath, he would hand it round to the guests, the 

 light given by it, while burning, throwing a ghastly paleness 

 like that of death upon the face of each. Its properties are ca- 

 lorific and maturative, in addition to which, it disperses abscesses 

 on the body : hence it is that it is used as an ingredient in 

 plasters and emollient poultices. Applied to the loins and 

 kidneys, with grease, when there are pains in those parts, it 

 is marvellously efi'ectual as a remedy. In combination with 

 turpentine, it removes lichens on the face, and leprosy, ^^ the 

 preparation being known as *' harpax,"^'^ from the celerity 

 with which it acts upon the skin ; for which reason it ought to 

 be removed every now and then. Employed as an electuary, it is 

 good for asthma, purulent expectorations, and stings inflicted 

 by scorpions. Live sulphur, mixed wich nitre, and then bruised 

 with vinegar and applied, causes morphew to disappear, and 

 destroys nits in the hair ; in combination, too, with sandarach 

 and vinegar, it is good for diseases of the eyelids. 



Sulphur has its place among our religious ceremonies, being 

 used as a fumigation for purifying houses.^^ Its virtues are 



^* " Untouched by fire." IsTative sulphur. 9= " Gleba." 



^^ Sulphur has been always considered highly useful for the cure of 



cutaneous affections. ^^ From lipitaloj, "to carry away." 



^^ Ovid, in his "Art of Love," speaks of purifying houses with eggs and 



sulphur. 



