MEDICINAL USES 323 



as on the alkaline sulphides, sulphuretted hydrogen, and 

 sulphurous acid, into which it is gradually converted. 

 Sulphur when swallowed is slowly acted upon by the alkaline 

 secretions of the intestines, and small quantities are con- 

 verted into sulphides, which irritate and stimulate the 

 intestinal mucous membrane. A further change liberates 

 sulphuretted hydrogen. Thus a part of the sulphur taken 

 by the mouth is absorbed in the form of sulphides. During 

 excretion this imparts its disagreeable smell to the breath, 

 secretions of the skin, and bowels. The mutton of sheep 

 receiving daily several ounces of sulphur is stated to acquire 

 a distinct sulphurous flavour. The greater part, however, 

 is removed unchanged by the bowels, and of that absorbed 

 the bulk is excreted in the urine as sulphates. The alkaline 

 sulphides are sometimes substituted for sulphur, and, like 

 it, are laxative and parasiticide. 



Toxic ACTIONS. One pound given to horses causes colic, 

 purging, prostration, and sometimes fatal gastro-enteritis 

 (Moiroud). A horse affected with glanders received doses 

 beginning with an ounce, and gradually increased by addi- 

 tion of an ounce daily until the sixteenth day, when he had 

 got 136 ounces. Diarrhoea supervened on the seventh day ; 

 but appetite remained throughout unimpaired, the urinary 

 secretion unaffected, the pulse and breathing normal. By 

 the third day the perspiration had a sulphurous smell, and 

 a piece of paper, moistened with lead acetate and laid on the 

 skin, became grey. The muco-purulent discharge from the 

 nostrils increased daily ; the patient, though well fed, 

 became gradually emaciated, and so debilitated that by the 

 seventh day he was unable to rise. After the tenth day, 

 the blood, even in the arteries, became dark-coloured, thin, 

 and slow to coagulate. On the seventeenth day the animal 

 was destroyed. The mucous lining of the stomach, colon, 

 and caecum was reddish-blue, soft, and easily torn. The 

 lungs, muscles, and intestinal contents smelt strongly of 

 hydrogen sulphide, but the blood had no such odour 

 (Her twig). 



MEDICINAL 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 



