400

ELEMENTS OF MATERIA MED1CA.

ence over the so-called itch-insect (Sarcoptes Hominis of Raspail, the JlcarusScabiei of other writers:) a little parasite belonging to the class Arachnida orarticulated animals, and, therefore, improperly termed an insecl. (Raspail, Me-moire sur rinsect de la Gale. Paris, 1834.)

But before adopting this explanation of the modus medendi of sulphur, it is tobe proved that the animal is the cause of the disease; for, at present, it has notbeen satisfactorily shown whether it be the cause, effect, or mere accompanimentof itch. Rayer (Treatise on Diseases of the Skin, by Dr. Willis, p. 344.) ob-serves, that it is indubitable that the number of these insects bears no proportionto that of the vesicles. " It is, farther," he adds, " rare to discover these insectson the abdomen and on groins, where the eruption of Scabies is nevertheles3 verycommon and very apparent; moreover, Scabies is known to continue when nomore acari are to be discovered." Sulphur is also a most valuable application invarious other skin diseases, as porrigo, Impetigo, &c.

Administration. —Intemally, it is usually given with syrup, or treacle, in theform of an electuary, or suspended in milk. The dose of it, as a purgative, isfröm one to three or four drachms. As an aiterative and sudorific, the dose isabout half a drachm.

1. MGUENTUI SULPIIURIS, L. E. D. (U. S.) Sulphur or Brimstone Ointment.(Sulphur [sublimed] giij. [3j-, E.\ lbj., B.(] Hog's lard, Ibss. [3iv., E.; lbiv.,B.~] Mix them thoroughly together.—The London College adds of Oil of Berga-mot, Tf[_xx.) [Sulphur a pound, Lard two pounds, U. S.] Extensively em-ployed in Scabies, porrigo, and other skin diseases. In Scabies, it is to beapplied every night until the disease is cured.

I UNGUFJTUM SULPIIURIS COMPOSITUM, L. Compound Sulphur Ointment.—.(Sulphur, lbss.; White Hellebore, powdered, 3ij.; Nitrate of Potash, 3j.; SoftSoap, lbss.; Lard, lbjss.; Oil of Bergamot, Tt[xxx. Mix.) This is employed inthe same cases as the preceding preparation, than which it is considered moreefficacious, but at the same time more irritating. [The Ointment directed by theU. S. Pharmacopreia by this name is different from the preceding, though usedfor the same purposes; the formula is the following:—Take of Sulphur an ounce;Ammoniated Mercury, Benzoic Acid, each a drachm; Oil of Bergamot, SulphuricAcid, each a fiuid-drachm; Nitrate ofPotassa two drachms; Lard half a pound. Tothe Lard, previously melted with a moderate heat, add the other ingredients andstir them constantly until they are cold.]

I SULPHUR PRiECIPITATUM; PrerfpüaLed Sulphur; Lac Sulphuris or Milk ofSulphur. —This preparation was known to Geber. {Invention of Verity, chap.ti.) It is prepared by boiling together sublimed Sulphur, one part; SlakedLime, two parts; and Water eight parts. To the filtered Solution is to be addeda sufficient quantity of Hydrochloric Acid to precipitate the whole of the Sulphur,which is collected and dried in a stove.

The theory of the process is the following:—When sulphur and lime are boiledin water, six equivalents or 96 parts of sulphur react on three equivalents or 84parts of lime, and produce two equivalents or 104 parts of bisulphuret of calcium,and one equivalent or 76 parts of the hyposulphite of lime. By the action ofthree equivalents or 111 parts of hydrochloric acid on these two salts, we obtainthree equivalents or 168 parts of chloride of calcium, six equivalents or 96 partsof sulphur, and three equivalents or 27 parts of water.

MATERIALS.

3 eq. Ilydrochle

Acid

3 eq. Lime ...6 eq. Sulphur

84

96

COMPOSIT10N.

3 eq. Hijär. 3-3 eq. Chlor. 108-

1 eq. Lime. 28-

eq. Oxifg. 16-

3 eq. Ca'lc. 40-

2 eq. Sulph. 32-

4 eq. Sulph. 64-

291

INTERMEDIATE COMPOUNDS.

PRODUCTS.

( 2

-----leg. Lime ........ ~ B }jeq.Calc. 20.<

-,::.-l eq. Hyposulpk. Ac. 48 j „ J£ S "J^ 32 1

n . 2 eq. Calc. 40.

ul j 4 cg Sulph. 64

Bisulph. Calc

—57 : eq Wuier 27

3 eq. Chlor.Calc. ... 168

6eq. Sulph. 96291