170 On the use of Cottoti'Seed for Illumination^ 



manner; but I never before heard of sulphur producing 

 such dreadful effects, although I must confess that I never 

 knew it given in such large quantities, and am, therefore, 

 unable to say that it would not. The giving of sulphur, for 

 the cure of gout and rheumatism, is an old and valuable 

 remedy, and it would be worth while to make a little further 

 inquiry into this case, or any other in which it may have 

 been used injuriously. 



Sulphur is also made great use of with us after salivation has 

 been produced, and it appears to have a more decided effect 

 than any other medicine, in removing the poison of the 

 mercury from the system— whether by acting as a cathartic, 

 or by its pervading every part of the body, and expelling the 

 mercury from thence by means of perspiration, or by its 

 acting upon the absorbent system. In this manner I have 

 known large quantities to be taken in successive doses, and 

 always with beneficial effects, never producing any affections 

 of the joints, or muscles. 



2. Remarks on the use of cotton- seed for the purpose of af- 

 fording gas for illumination. — Professor Olmsted also men- 

 tions, that he has procured carburetted hydrogen gas from cot- 

 ton-seed. I have not the least doubt but very excellent gas 

 might be thus produced; but he is evidently mistaken when, in 

 summing up the cost, he rates the cotton-seed as being worth 

 little or nothing. It may be the case in the part of the 

 country where he resides ; but with us it is estimated As 

 being worth at least twenty-five cents per bushel. Some- 

 times it sells very high, when any accident happens to the 

 crop in the early part of the year. It is used as a manure 

 upon cotton, corn, or potato land, and is accounted the 

 best which can possibly be applied. It is also probable that 

 he speaks of the green seed, or short staple cotton ; but the 

 cotton-seed I refer to, is the black, or sea-island. It is 

 sometimes used here as food for cattle, but its value as a ma- 

 nure is so well known that it is rarely applied in this manner. 



