41i

ELEMENTS OE MATERIA MEDICA.

on Jodine and its Compounds.) gave three drachms to a bitch: the animal losther appetite, was du]], and on the fourth day could not support herseif properlyupon her legs. On the twelfth day she was well.

ß. On Man. —It has not been exhibited internally. It probably operates likeiodine. Its local Operation is that of a powerful stimulant and resolvent.

Uses. —Iodide of sulphur has been principally employed in the form of oint-ment, in various skin diseases. In lupus it has been found most efficacious byBiett, (Cazenove and Schede!, Abrege pratiq. sur les Malad, de la Peau.) as wellas Rayer. ( Treatise on Diseases of the Skin, translated by Dr. Willis.) Thelast mentioned writer places it in the foremost rank of local remedies for this dis-ease. In acne indurata and rosacea 4t has proved highly useful in the hands ofBiett, (Op. cit.) Rayer, (Op. cit. p. 476.) and Dr. Copland. (Dict. of Pract. Med.art. Acne, p. 31.) In lepra, Rayer has observed good effects from its use; but inone case in which I tried it, it caused so lmich irritation that its use was obligedto be discontinued. In Herpes pustulosus labialis it has been employed with greatsuccess by Dr. Volmar. (Dierbach, Die neuesten Entdeck in d. Mal. Med. 2 teAusg. 1 er B. S. 449.) In tinea capitis it has also been recommended. [Land.Med. Gaz. vol. xx. p. 879.)

Dr. Copland (Op. cit. art. Asthma, p. 149.) has employed the inhalation of thevapour of this substance in humoral asthma with temporary advantage

UNGüENTÜM SULPHURIS IODIDI; Ointment of Jodide of Sulphur.— This is com-posed of Iodide of sulphur and lard. The proportions vary according to circum-stances: usually from 10 to 30 grains of the iodide to an ounce of lard. Magendierecommends 1 part of iodide to 18 or 19 of lard.

5. AMMO'NIiE HYDROSUL'PHAS.—HYDROSULPHATE OF AMMONIA.

(Ammonife Hydrosulphuretum, D.)

History and Synonymes. —This Compound is said to have been first preparedin the seventeenth Century by Boyle or Beguin: hence the terms Boyle's fumingliquor and £egidn , s sulphuretted spirit, applied to one variety of it. The ordi-nary designation of it is hydrosidphuret of ammonia, or hepalized ammonia.Berzelius calls it sulphuret of ammonia.

Natural History. —It is evolved from decomposing animal matter (as in privies,)along with hydrosulphuric acid and nitrogen.

Preparation. —The following are the directions given by the Dublin College forthe preparation of this Compound:—

Take of Sulphuret of Iron, reduced to a coarse powder, five parts; Sulphuric Acid, sevenparts; Water, thirty-two parts; Watcr of Caustic Arnmonia, four parts. Pass the sulphuretinto a retort, then srradually pour on it the acid, first diluted with vvater, and, in a suilableapparatus, cause the elastic fluid to pass through the YVater of Ammonia. Tovvard the endof the process, apply a moderate heat to the retort.

In this process the iron of the sulphuret is oxidized by the oxygen of the water,and the oxide of iron thus formed combines with the sulphuric acid to form sul-phate of iron. The hydrogen of the water uniting with the sulphur of the sul-phuret forms hydrosulphuric acid (sulphuretted hydrogen.)

MATERIALS.

COMPOSITION.

1 eq. Sulphuret Iron = 4-1 i ] "I- S " l '> lmr ">'1 eq. Water............ 9 S } "?• Hydrogen V

1 eq. Oxygen.. 8'

1 eq. Sulphuric A cid ----40-

83

PRODr'CTS.

1 eq. Sulphuretted Hydrog. 17

1 eq. Oxide \

Iroi)3(j'l eq. Sulphate of Iron___ 76

93

The sulphuretted hydrogen thus produced is conveyed into a Solution of ammonia,with which it combines.