324 MEDICINAL USES 



in young animals, and in piles. Its alterative and stimulant 



effects on the skin have led to its use in rheumatism, eczema, 

 and cutaneous diseases. Some practitioners affirm that it 

 benefits dry, congested conditions of the respiratory mem- 

 brane by stimulating its epithelial cells and increasing move- 

 ments of the cilia. It has no special vermicide action. The 

 piece of roll sulphur frequently placed in the dog's trough, 

 being insoluble in water, has no effect in preventing, as is 

 popularly believed, distemper and other canine disorders. 



Sulphur dusted on the skin slightly stimulates, but when 

 dissolved by admixture with an alkali or oil, and smartly 

 rubbed in, it more actively stimulates the cells of the rete 

 Malpighii, and thus hastens desquamation ; while it also 

 increases the skin circulation. It thus promotes a healthier 

 action in chronic eczema and psoriasis, and in such cases 

 sulphur dressings are with benefit conjoined or alternated 

 with iodine or tar acids, and are aided by the internal use 

 of sulphur and arsenic. Infriction of sulphur ointment is 

 stated to relieve the pain of rheumatic muscles and joints. 



For the prompt and effectual cure of mange and scab it 

 is essential to reach the female parasites in their burrows. 

 Hair or wool must be closely clipped or shaved ; the affected 

 parts freely rubbed with soft soap, allowed to remain on for 

 twenty minutes or half an hour ; crusts and scales are thus 

 softened, and removed by subsequent thorough scrubbing 

 with warm water. These preliminary measures are requisite 

 to enable any parasiticide to reach the sarcoptes. Kiichen- 

 meister demonstrated that the parasites, although they 

 lived for several days in sulphur ointment, perished in 

 fifteen minutes in mixtures of sulphur and potash solution. 

 This combination quickly produces hydrogen and other toxic 

 sulphides. Numerous formulae are in use. Two parts 

 sulphur and one part potassium carbonate are dissolved, 

 with the aid of gentle heat, in ten or twelve of lard or oil. 

 A still more effectual sarcopticide is made by addition of 

 two parts of benzine. Sulphur iodide is very useful for 

 such cases. In chronic mange and scab a second or third 

 soaping, scrubbing, and dressing, at intervals of a week, 

 may be requisite ; and in inveterate cases some of the 

 penetrating tar oils, or a mercurial, may be used. Sulphur 



