SULPHUR 241 



first shaved and the parts soaked and scrubbed with green 

 soap and water. All cloths or brushes used in this opera- 

 tion should be burned or disinfected by boiling. Sulphur 

 acts most efficiently in ointment, as fat fills up the burrows 

 and deprives the insects of air. The official ointment is 

 used in mange, but a combination with an alkali is more 

 serviceable, unless there is active irritation of the skin, or 

 eczema. The following ointment is recommended : 



Sulphur 2 parts. 



Potassium carbonate 1 part. 



Lard 8 parts. 



In obstinate cases of ringworm or mange, the prepara- 

 tion mentioned by Brunton is of value. This consists of 

 one part each of sulphur and oil of cade, with two parts 

 each of green soap and lard. True mange in the dog, if 

 extensive and of long duration, is practically incurable 

 by any drug. Sulphur ointment is of benefit in chronic 

 eczema and acne, for its local stimulant and alterative 

 action. 



Uses Internal. — Sulphur is commonly used for its laxa- 

 tive action in the treatment of young animals and dogs 

 suffering with constipation and haemorrhoids. It may be of 

 service in chronic bronchitis with copious secretion. Sul- 

 phur is frequently prescribed internally for its action in 

 chronic diseases of the skin, and is thought to exert a bene- 

 ficial alterative action. Sulphur is also recommended in 

 chronic rheumatism. 



Disinfectant Action. — When sulphur undergoes combus- 

 tion, sulphurous anhydride (S0)2 is evolved, and the latter 

 combining with water forms sulphurous acid. SOg -f- H2O 

 = H2SO3. 



Sulphurous acid, and, in a less degree, sulphurous 

 anhydride, are germicidal, and are in common use as disin- 

 fectants. Bacteriological experiments, however, show that 

 sulphur fumigation, as ordinarily employed for disinfection, 

 is of little worth for destroying disease germs. Disinfection 

 by formaldehyde or chlorine gas is to be preferred. Sole 



