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ELEMENTS OF MATERIA MEDICA.

Memoire et Rapports sur les Fumigations Sulphureuses, par J. C. Gales,1816 : Observations on Sulphurous Fumigations, by W. Wallace: An Essayon Diseases of the Skin, by Sir A. Clarke).

As a stimulant in syncope or asphyxia this gas has been recommendedby Nysten . It is readily applied by holding a burning sulphur matchunder the nose.

Antidotes. —When sulphurous acid gas has been inhaled, the patientshould be made to respire the vapour of ammonia. A few drops of thesolution of this substance should be swallowed.

Io'didum Sul'phuris.—Todide of Sul'phur.

History. —This compound was first described by Gay-Lussac {Ann.de Chimie, xcl.)

Preparation. —It is prepared by heating gently four parts of sulphurwith one part of iodine. Part of the iodine volatilizes, and the remainderunites with the sulphur.

Properties. —It is a black crystallizable compound, having the colourand radiated appearance of sesquisulphuret of antimony. It has the odourof iodine, and stains the cuticle, paper, &c. like this substance. Its ele-ments are easily separated by heat.

Composition. —Its composition has not been determined. It is pro-bably the following:—

Eq. Eq.Wt. Per Cent.

Iodine. 1 . . . 126 . . . 88-732

Sulphur . . . . 1 . . . 16 . . . 11-267

Iodide of sulphur . 1 . . . 142 . . . 99-999

Characteristics.— Boiled in water the iodine volatilizes with thesteam, and the sulphur is deposited nearly in a state of purity.

Physiological Effects, (a.) On animals.—Dr. Cogswell ( Experim.Essay on Iodine and its Compounds) gave three drachms to a bitch: theanimal lost her appetite, was dull, and on the fourth day could not sup-port herself properly upon her legs. On the twelfth day she was well.

( b .) On man. —It has not been exhibited internally. It probablyoperates like iodine. Its local operation is that of a powerful stimulantand resolvent.

Uses.— Iodide of sulphur has been principally employed, in the formof ointment, in various skin diseases. In lupus it has been found mostefficacious by Biett (Cazenove and Scliedel, Abrege pratiq. sur les Malad.de la Peau ), as well as by Bayer ( Treatise on Diseases of the Skin, trans-lated by Dr. Willis.) The last mentioned writer places it in the foremostrank of local remedies for this disease. In acne indurata and rosacea ithas proved highly useful in the hands of Biett (op. cit.), Rayer (op. cit.p. 476), and Dr. Copland (Diet. ofPract. Med. art. Acne, p. 31). In lepra,Bayer has observed good effects from its use; but in one case in which Itried it, it caused so much irritation that its use was obliged to be discon-tinued. In herpes pustulosus labialis it has been employed with greatsuccess by Dr. Volmar (Dierbach , die neuesten Entdeck in d. Mat. Med.2 te - Ausg. l er - B. S. 449). In tinea capitis it has also been recommended(Med. Gaz. vol. xx. p. 879.)

Dr. Copland (op. cit. art. Asthma, p. 149) has employed the inhalation