SULPllfH. 



SfLPHUK TRADE. 



produced by th combination at two nolid bodie*. It WM discovered 

 by Uiu|diu. m iri>8. 



Pkotpkanu and Sulfur. [PHOSPHORUS.] 



if and KulfJtur. [IcDlXR.] 



$tte*i*m ami Sulpkur. [SKLKMVM.] 



lion* ad Sulphur. [Bonos.] 



>Wj W Ni/U- Thnw are certain double sulphides, so deaiguat.il by 

 Beneliu* : the electro-negative sulphide* constituting nuljihur ,iri<li ; 

 and the electro-positive lulphidw, ivifkxr but*. Among the sulphur 

 actdiaru the sulphide* of anenic, wtininy. tellurium, tin, &c. ; and 

 in thin claw are also included sulphuretted hydrogen, bisulphide f 

 carbun, and wleniiim and ulphooyanogen : tbo sulphur l>ae8 include 

 the |>rotoulphidi of the metalt of thu alkalies and alkaline e.-i 



. ".mix formed by the union of sulphur acid* with sulphur base* 

 are the tulfkur lallt. 



The clove chemical analogy between sulphur and oxygen is furttur 

 wen on connidering the constitution and properties of the following 

 compound* of the two elements. 



CO, . 



Kl> 



ICO. CO, . 



Sl'l.l'H t'K (in medicine) is an elementary principle which occurs in 

 great abundance in the mineral, sparingly in the vegetable, and -till 

 more paringly in the animal kingdom. In the vicinity of volcanoes 

 sulphuroiio fume* unue copiously from the ground, and many mineral 

 water* owe their peculiar odours and much of their virtues to 

 sulphurous impregnations. Plants which contain it have or 

 offensive imell, to which most probably it contributes, constituting the 

 all ;il oil*. such as asafa'tida, garlic, and mustard, in which last it 

 occur* a* a constituent of myronic acid, a portion of which probably 

 attache* to the volatile oil of mustard, the odour of which is stronger 

 and more offensive than that of garlic and asafcetida combined. In 

 animals it occurs in conjunction with albumen, and hence white of egg 

 blacken* silver egg-ipoons. 



For medical purpose*, it should be as pure as possible, but in the 

 two forms in which it occurs it is seldom perfectly free from admixture. 

 Sublimed sulphur (flowers of sulphur) generally contains some 

 sulphurous acid, which renders it slightly pungent ; and precipitated 

 sulphur, or milk of sulphur, mostly contains sulphate of lime. Of the 

 two forms, precipitated sulphur, owing to the extremely tine state of 

 subdivision in which it exists, is in equal quantities more powerful 

 than the sublimed when freed from the large portion of sulphate of 

 lime. 



Sulphur is insoluble in water, very sparingly in alcohol, but soluble 

 in oils, both fixed, such as Unseed, and volatile, such as turpentine; 

 with the former of which it forms the balsamum lulplturu tint/'*' 

 with the latter the lialtamum mljihuris terelim ' 



Though devoid of any marked sensible qualities, sulphur acts as a 

 .-tin.ulaiit to the living tissue*. Applied to the sound skin, it seems to 

 h.iM- no effect upon it, but placed in contact with an ulcerated surface, 

 it irritate* and excite* an inflammatory action. Large doses, such as a 

 pound, given to horses, prove fatal by producing violent inflammation, 

 recognisable during life by the symptoms, and after death la the 

 morbid appearance*. The*e may not have been due entirely to the 

 sulphur,, but to the tersulphide of arsenic (orpiment) with which 

 sulphur is often contaminated. Hence the increased redness and 

 sensibility of parts affected with cutaneous eruptions when sulphur is 

 applied to them. It i clear therefore that it is by exciting to new 

 action the unhealthy structures that it effect* a cure of these <1 

 and not by causing a repulsion or transfer of it to some other quarter, 

 though this not unfrequently follows the too rapid healing of such 

 complaints, if they have been spread over a Large surface. Taken 

 internally, sulphur gives rise to two distinct orders of effect : the one, 

 it* action on the intestinal canal ; the other, upon the system generally. 

 Small doves, if they do not increase the digestive power, at least do not 

 disturb it ; but larger cause a disagreeable sensation in the epigastric 

 region, followed by alvine dejections, which are generally gentle, and 

 without colic or griping. When it cause* alvine evacuations, it does 

 not produce marked general effect* ; but when given in small doses, 

 with a sufficient interval between each to favour its absorption, it* 

 general action is commonly very apparent. The pulse becomes more 

 frequent, the animal heat and perspiration arc increased, and the 

 pretence of sulphur may be recognised in all the excretions of the body, 

 or a transudation of it in the form of hydrosulphuric acid (sulphu- 

 retted hydrogen). In this way silver worn in the pocket of a person 

 using sulphur becomes blackened. 



The long-continued uxe of it give* rise to still more obvious 

 stimulant effects. General excitement of the system take* place, 

 increased arterial action leads to haemorrhages, &c., accompanied la 

 restloraneM, slecple*enees, and thirst. The appearance of tfeeM 

 symptoms should point out the propriety of suspending its further use 

 till they can be removed by antiphlogistic means. 



.Sulphur Khoiild not IM; used for very plethoric individuals, or those 

 inclined to high vascular action, till those states have been lessened by 

 diet and other mean*. 



' Internally sulphur has bean given in chronic catarrhs and humid 

 coughs, as well as in some of the form* of asthma. Krom th< 

 which sulphur undoubtedly possesses over mucous mem 

 especially the bronchial, it is often serviceable; but in the asthmatic 

 -. complicated with organic disease of the heart or great vessels, 

 nothing can be more hurtful. 



In ehronie rheumatism sulphur, from it* diaphoretic properties, is 

 of imieh utility either alone or with antimonials. In ti 



ry which may be regarded as rheumatism of the in! 

 sulphur is jwrhaps the best aperient in combination with 

 ipecacuanha. It is also beneficial in those forms of paralysis which 

 have resulted from rheumatism. It is stated to effect a < 

 mittenta, and considering its power of rousing the vascular systi 

 its subsequent diaphoretic action, it may be used in those cases wln-ie 

 arsenic fails and quinine is too expensive. 



Sulphur is given as a laxative in bmnorrhoid*, stricture of the 

 rectum, and habitual constipation. For these cases it is usual! 

 bined with bi-tartrate of potash, or magnesia, or electuary oi 

 A small quantity of the compound cinnamon-]' 



. is a valuable addition, as it lessens any lev 

 and also restrains the disposition to the disengagement of Hiilplu 

 hydrogen gas, which is often a distressing consequence of the 

 sulphur. The dose varies much in different individuals, but in all 

 cases it should be ample, as an inefficient, quantity is most pi 

 generate flatus. Persons of a sedentary habit, afflicted will. 

 sti nation, find this combination of unspeakable service, as, unlike many 

 it is not followed by greater constipation than before, but keeps 

 the bowels moderately open for a considerable time. It is one of the 

 most appropriate medicines for children or pregnant females. 



Sulphur is generally given internally at the same lime that it is 

 used externally for the cure of cuti; 



(sfaljic*) it is regarded as almost a specific. Sulphur ointment is the 

 form generally employed for this disease. It should never be applied 

 to more than a fourth part of the body at one time. The compound 

 sulphur ointment is more powerful, but requires still more caution in 

 its employment from the veretrine it contains. In workh 

 the preferable mode of employing sulphur is by uniting itwiin 

 soap, which not only does not stain and grease the clothes, but assists 



using them as well as the patients when washed. Beaidi 

 potash of the soap aids the cure. Many cutaneous diseases are mn 

 readily cured by a combination of sulphur with potash than by either 

 singly. This combination, called 1'utoisii ndpturettm, or liver of 

 sulphur, may be applied in various ways, particularly in baths, forming 

 artificial Harrowgate-watcr. The natural waters of Harrowgate, 

 Moffat, and other sulphurous springs, owe their peculiarities to it. 



Sulphur in combination with iodine, forming iodide of sulphur, 

 when made into an ointment with a large quantity of lard or cerate, is 

 a valuable agent in some cutaneous diseases. Sulphur sprinkled over 

 the leaves of the.viue is almost a certain preventive of 

 or vine scourge. It is useful also for hops. See 

 Chronicle,' March 30, IStil, p. 293, nor is it powerless again 

 potato disease. See ' Gardeners' Chronicle,' March It!, 1861, p. 241. 



Sulphur in a state of combustion evolves sulphurous acid gas. 

 This is sometimes employed as a fumigation in some obstinate cuta- 

 neous affections, especially /..- 'i-ata, which often cm: 

 about the joints, especially the elbow, when it has been cured in 

 other ]>art. The employment of this requires caution, and on no 

 account must the face be exposed to it, as it is irrespirable. 



SU.PHUR TRADE. Sulphur exists in Sicily, Iceland, Ten 

 St. Vincent's, and some other places ; but the expense of obtaining it 

 from most of those countries is so great, that Sicily is almost the only 

 source of supply. Krom that country England and France take more 

 than 90 per cent, of the whole quantity exported. The average con- 

 sumption of England in the five years, from 1820 to 1824, was 7080 

 tons. In 1825 the duty was reduced from 15t to 10. a ton, and in the 

 following ten years the annual consumption averaged 15,140 tons ; in 

 1887 it amounted to 37,486 tons. The Sicilian sulphur-mim .- 

 property of individuals, and several English I irms .settled in Sicil_\ are 

 engaged in the trade. In 1836 M. Taix, a Frenchman, laid before the 

 Sicilian government a project for establishing a company which 

 have the exclusive right during ten years of purchasing Sicilian sulphur 

 at fixed prices, on condition of spending 10,00(U. a year in constructing 

 roads, and exporting one-third of the quantity produced in Sicilian 

 vessels. The British merchants becoming alarmed, the Sicilian L 

 incut , in reply to the British ambassador, stated that no such project 

 would be adopted. It would have been in direct contraventi< 

 o mmicrcial treaties between the two government 



meut diil, however, enter into a contract with M. Taix ; and on the It h 

 of July, 1838, notice was given at Palermo that the monopoly would 

 come into operation on the 1st of August ensuing. Th>- 

 respecting this monopoly were conducted with great secresy, and it 

 came into operation so suddenly that twenty-four vessels lost their 

 cargoes. The British lessees of mines, anil all .oelli-d 



to produce only a fixed quantity of sulphur; price* rose from ti/. !!>.. 

 or It. to I'Al. and HI. per ton, a'ud contracts could not be completed. 

 At length the British government took 



end to a monopoly established in the face of commercial treaties : the 

 coast* of Sicily and Napli--* were blockaded by our ships of war; and 



