SULPHUR.

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and secondary syphilis) it lias been used as an alterative. Tortual hasproposed sulphur as a preservative against measles: but, as might beexpected, experience shews sulphur possesses no prophylactic power ofthis kind, and that the only preservative is isolation.

(6.) Externally. —Sulphur is a most valuable remedy in various skindiseases, more especially scabies; and notwithstanding many substituteshave been proposed for it in the latter disease, none are so generallysuccessful. It is supposed by some that the curative powers of sulphurin this disease depend on its poisonous influence over the so-calleditch-insect (Sarcoptes hominis of Raspail, the Acarus Scabiei of otherwriters): a little parasite belonging to the class Arachnida of articulatedanimals, and, therefore, improperly termed an insect (Raspail, Memoiresur rinsecte de la Gale, Paris 1834).

Fig. 49.

Sarcoptes hominis —(Raspail.)

But before adopting this explanation of the modus medendi of sulphur,it is to be proved that the animal is the cause of the disease: for, atpresent, it has not been satisfactorily shewn whether it be the cause,effect, or mere accompaniment of itch. Rayer ( Treatise on Diseases ofthe S/cin, by Dr. Willis, p. 344) observes, that it is indubitable that thenumber of these insects bears no proportion to that of the vesicles. “ It

is, further,” he adds, “ rare to discover these insects on the abdomen andon groins, where the eruption of scabies is nevertheless very common andvery apparent; moreover, scabies is known to continue when no moreacari are to be discovered.” Besides scabies, sulphur is a most valuableapplication to various other skin diseases, as porrigo, impetigo, &c.

Administration. —Internally, sulphur is usually given with syrup, ortreacle, in the form of an electuary, or suspended in milk. The dose of

it, as a purgative, is from one to three or four drachms. As an alterativeand sudorific, the dose is about half a drachm. The preparation soldunder the name of milk of sulphur, or precipitated sulphur, is a moreconvenient and agreeable preparation for internal use, than the ordinarysublimed sulphur.

Externally sulphur is principally employed in the form of ointment.The unguentum, sulphuris (Ph. L.) consists of three ounces of sulphur tohalf a pound oflard: twenty minims of the oil of bergamot are added