256 INOEGANIC AGENTS 



Sulphur Prcecipitatum. Precipitated Sulphur. S. (U. S. & B. P.) 



Synonym. — Lac (magisterium) sulphuris, milk of sulphur, E.; 

 soufre precipite, lait de soufre, Fr.; Schwefelmiloh, G. 



Derivation. — Obtained from a solution of sublimed sulphur, 100; 

 in boiling calcium hydrate, 50; by precipation with hydrochloric acid. 

 Jaloium sulphide and hyposulphite are formed. 13 S + 3 Ca O2H3 = 



2 Ca S6 + Ca Sj O3 + 3 H3O. Then: 3 CaSj + Ca Sa O3 + 6 H CI = 



3 Ca CI, + 13 S + 3 HjO. 



Dose (of sublimed, -waslied or precipitated sulphur). — 

 H. & C, 5ii.-iv. (60.-120.); Sh. & Sw., 5i.-ii. (30.-60.); D., 

 3 ss.-iv. (2.-15.). 



Larger doses laxative; smaller for constitutional action. 



Precipitated sulphur is the best preparation for inter- 

 nal use, as it occurs in a finer state of division and is more 

 readily acted upon by the digestive juices. It may contain 

 traces of sulphides or sulphuretted hydrogen, owing to the 

 method of preparation. 



Action External. — Sulphur has no action upon the skin 

 when applied in the pure state. The ointment is the most 

 effective agent in destoying acari which produce mange, 

 grease, and scab. Sulphur does not kill acari as readily as 

 a sulphide which is formed by the addition of au alkali. 

 When sulphur ointment is rubbed into the skin it causes 

 considerable irritation and an artificial eczema. Sulphur 

 is converted into sulphuretted hydrogen and sulphurous 

 acid by living tissue, and this transformation may occur 

 to some extent when sulphur is rubbed into the skin 

 Tpith fat. 



Action Internal. — Digestive Organs. — Sulphur is not 

 acted upon by the stomach, but is somewhat dissolved by 

 the alkaline intestinal juices, and converted in part into 

 sulphides (10 to 20 per cent, of sulphur is absorbed as sul- 

 phides) and sulphuretted hydrogen. The sulphides, to- 

 gether with sulphuretted hydrogen, are absorbed into the 

 blood. Minute traces of sulphuretted hydrogen are elim- 

 inated by the lungs and skin, while oxidation of sulphides 

 occurs in the tissues and they are eliminated as sulphates 



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