260 INOEGANIC AGENTS 



Dose.—'R. & C, gi.-ii. (30.-60.); Sh. & Sw., 3 i.-ii. 

 (4.-8.); D., 3ss.-ii. (2.-8.). _ , _ 



Actions and Uses. — Sulphurous acid decomposes organic 

 matter, abstracts oxygen, and is transformed into sulphuric 

 acid. The amount of sulphuric acid formed from the medi- 

 cinal solution is not sufficient to interfere with its action in 

 or upon the body. Sulphurous acid is a deodorant, deoxi- 

 dizer, parasiticide and disinfectant externally. Solutions 

 (1-4) are used as local stimulant and antiseptic applications 

 to wounds, ulcers, or sores with foul discharges, and to kill 

 the fungus growths producing ringworm. 



Sulphurous acid is employed as an antiseptic in indi- 

 gestion, associated with flatulence, and has the same effect 

 and value as the sulphites and hyposulphites which are used 

 for the same purposes. 



PoTAssA SuLPHTiEATA. Sulphurated Potassa. 

 (U. S. & B. P.) 



Synonyni.^Fotassii sulphuretum, potassii sulphidum, 

 liver of sulphur., E. ; foie de soufre, Pr. ; kalischwefel- 

 leber, G. 



Derivation. — Powdered and dried potassium carbonate, . 

 200, is mixed with sublimed sulphur, and heated in a cru- 

 cible. Potassa sul^Dhurata is a mixture of potassium hypo- 

 sulphite and sulphide. 3 K^G O3 + 8 S =K2S203 +- 

 2 K2S3 + 3 CO2. 



Properties. — Irregular pieces of a liver-brown color, 

 which by exposure to the air gradually absorb moisture, 

 oxygen, and carbonic dioxide, and change to greenish-yellow 

 and finally to a gray mass containing potassium carbonate, 

 hyposulphite and sulphate. The compound has a faint odor 

 of hydrogen sulphide, and a bitter alkaline taste. Soluble 

 in 2 parts of water, with the exception of a small residue. 



Dose.—H. & C, 3 ii.-iv. (8.-15.) ; D., gr.ii.-x. (.12.6). 



Action Internal. — Sulphurated potassa is composed 

 chiefly of potassium trisulphide .(KjSg) and of potassium 

 thiosulphate (K2S2O3). Its action is that of the sulphides 

 generally. These give off HgS in the bowel, which leads to 

 purging and local irritation. When injected into a vein the 



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