396

ELEMENTS OP MATERIA MEDICA.

Heilk. Bd. 2. S. 139.) considers it to be endowed with the specific power ofinfiuencing secreting surfaces and the bones, whereby it is enabled to amelioratevarious morbid conditions of these parts. Sundelin (Heilmittel/,. Bd. 2. S. 234.)regards it as a stimulant and tonic to the sexual Organs. Various effects havebeen ascribed to it by Herder. (Hufeland's Journ. Bd. 9. St. 3. S. 148.)

Uses. —Phosphoric acid has been employed in the same cases in which sul-phuric and other mineral acids have been used, and under the same regulations.It may be employed for a longer period, without disturbing the digestive func-tions, than the other agents of this class.

It has been used in certain cases rather on theoretical than piactical grounds.Thus its power of dissolving phosphate of lime has led to its employment in thoseforms of Uthiasis attended with phosphatic deposites in the urine,—in ossifica-tion of the arteries and cardiac valves,—and in exostosis and other osseoustumours. Lentin used it as a local agent to check caries, from a notion that thisdisease depends on a deficiency of phosphoric acid in the part affected. Woulffapplied it to promote the formation of bone.

There are several other diseases against which this acid has been administered.Thus it has been given in blennorrhoea and leueorrhcea, when the secreted fluidwas thin and acrid (Sundelin.)—in profuse suppuration, to diminish the quantityand improve the quality of the secreted matter,—in hysterical affections of youngand irritable subjects, Sundelin has found it useful,—in impotency of the male(Berends,)—in diabetes, and in jaundice. Dr. Paris [Appendix to the 8,'A ed. ofthe Pharmacologia. Lond. 1836.) has found it to assuage the thirst so com-monly present in diabetes, more effectually than any other acidulated drink.

Administration. —Internally the dilute phosphoric acid should be given in dosesof from ten minims to a fluid-drachm, properly diluted. Mixed with eight or lentimes its volume of water, it may be employed as a wash in caries.

Antidote. —(See Sulphuric Acid.)

Order X. SULPHUR AND ITS NON-METALLIC COMPOUNDS.

1. SUL'PHUR, L. E.— SÜLPHÜR OR BRIMSTONE.

History. —Sulphur has been known from the most remote periods of antiquity.It is mentioned by Moses, [Genesis, xix. 24.) Homer, (Jliad, lib. xvi.) and otherancient writers.

Natural History. —It is found in both kingdoms of nature.

«. In the Inoroanized Kinqdom. — Native or virgin sulphur occurs in two forma: eitherimbcdded in roeks {common native sulphur.) or produced by Sublimation (volcanic sulphur.)In Sicily 1 it is found in beds in a I)!ue clay formation, which, in the opinion oi" Dr. Dauheny,is more recent than chalk, bat is of the same aoe with the gypsum beds in the neighbourhoodof Paris. Sojfatara (oalled by the ancients Forum Pnlcani or the Court of liilcan,) a kindof half.extinct volcano, in Ihe vicinily of Naples, is eelebrated for its native sulphur, which iscollected in considerable quantilies for the purpose of commerce. (Sir VV. Hamilton, CampiPhlegr&i, 177G.) Sulphur is also found in the mineral kingdom in a State of combination.Thus sulphurous acid gas rushes out from volcanoes. Sulphuric acid is found native both inthe free and comhined states: hydrosulpburie acid gas is cvolved from the pure sulphurous orhepatic waters (see p. 249,) and from the soil in some oiher places : lastly, sulphur is found incombination with metals. Dr. Thomson {Outlines of Mineralogy, &c. vol. i. p. 76.) mentionsfourteen native sulphurets and sevent?en sulphur salts.

ß. In the Obganizkd Kidgdom. —Sulphur is found in Liliacea (as in garlic:) in Crucifera(as in mustard :) in UmheUiferm (as in asafeetida.) and in many other Orders of plants. Thealkaline and earthy sulphates are frequently met with in vegetables. Sulphur is also a con.stituent of some animal substances (ihus it. is found in eggs, urine, &c.;) sulphates are foundin the urine.

1 Some mineralogistsfintertain tbo opinion that Siciünn sulphur is of organic (animal) origin. See Atke-■nteum for December Jst, 1838; also Leofltaard, 'Handbuch der Oraktogr.osie, S. ""

. S99. Heidelberg, 1836.