258 INORGANIC AGENTS 



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 hsemorrhoids. 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 (80)2 is evolved, and the latter 

 combining with water forms sulphurous acid. SO3 + H2O 

 = II2SO, 



Sulphurous acid, and, in a less degree, sulphurous 

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

 fectants. Sulphurous acid owes its germicidal action to two 

 properties. Chiefly to its being a powerful reducing agent, 

 by which it is oxidized into sulphuric acid, and also to the 

 acidity of both compounds. In withdrawing oxygen from 

 organic matter it is poisonous to protoplasm in general and 

 to bacteria in particular. Bacteriological experiments, how- 

 ever, 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 reliance should never be placed upon 

 sulphur fumigation, but premises should be treated as recom- 

 mended in the section on antiseptics and disinfectants (p. 

 TIS). 



In employing sulphur as a disinfectant, animals must 

 be removed from the premises and communication with the 

 outer air should be excluded as far as possible; Three 

 pounds of roll or flowers of sulphur, mixed with 2 ounces 

 of alcohol, should be employed for every 1,000 cubic feet of 

 air space to be disinfected. The premises which are being 

 disinfected should be closed for six hours. Alcohol is 

 employed to ignite the sulphur and also to form steam by its 

 combustion. The latter unites with sulphurous anhydride 

 to make the more potent sulphurous acid. 



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