264 SULPHUROUS ACID-SULPHITES. 



The purifying effects of the products of burning 

 sulphur were known to the ancients, and this sub- 

 stance has been used ever since for the purpose of 

 removing the smell of decomposing animal sub- 

 stances.* 



Sulphurous acid destroys the odour of many offen- 

 sive gases. " It attacks sulphuretted hydrogen, 

 entirely destroying it ; it neutralizes the strong 

 smell of ammonia and other alkaline bases, con- 

 verting them into sulphites, but without destroying 

 their manurial value, or losing its antiseptic pro- 

 perties." (Crookes). 



In order to generate sulphurous acid for the pur- 

 pose of purifying a room after it has been occupied 

 by the sick, or which has been used as a mortuary, 

 two or three lumps of common brimstone may be 

 placed in a garden saucer, iron pan, or other flat 

 vessel, resting on some bricks, and lighted with a red 

 hot iron. The windows and doors of the room being 

 closed, the sulphur may be left to burn itself out. 

 After the lapse of five or six hours the room is puri- 

 fied, and air may be re-admitted. 



Sulphites have been largely employed in medicine, 



* " Brhig purifying sulphur, dame, bring fire, 



To fumigate the house - ... 



Nurse Euryclea disobeyed him not ; 



But brought both fire and sulphur ; and he then 



Did fumigate the chamber all throughout." 



The Odyssey of Homer, translated byG. W. Edgington, Licentiate 

 in Medicine, Book XXII., Vol. II. pp. 159, 160. 



