Sulphur is used to a considerable extent and for very different purposes in medicine. It is given internally either as sublimed sulphur (flowers of sulphur) or as precipitated sulphur (milk of sulphur), in somewhat large doses, as a mild cathartic—its purgative effects behng due to its stimulating the muscular coat of the intestines. In consequence , of its being both gentle and sure in its action, it is the best purgative to employ M cases of piles, or in stricture or other painful affections of the rectum. The only objection to its use is that, from its becoming partly converted in the system into sulphureted hy droff,en, the evacuations, and even the insensible perspiration, often become abominably fetid, and continue so for some time after the primary operation of the medicine. As a purgative, the dose is about two drams, made into an electuary with treacle or honey. It is. however, generally combined with jalap and cream of tartar.
The confection of sulphur of the Pharmaeopceia is composed of sulphur, cream of tartar, and syrup of orange-peel rubbed together—the dose being from half an ounce to an ounce, or from one to two tablespoonfuls. In small doses, sulphur is of great value
in cases of atonic gout and chronic rheumatism. An electuary known as the Chelsea pensioner, consisting of two ounces of sublimed sulphur, one ounce of powdered rhu barb, half an ounce of resin of guaiacum, one ounce of cream of tartar, half an ounce of ginger, and two drams of powdered nutmegs, with as much treacle as is necessary, in doses of one or two teaspoonfuls night and morning, is a combination of great value in these cases. It originally gained its reputation by curing lord Amherst of rheumatism, and is still a favorite remedy at Chelsea hospital. Dr. Neligan states that steaming the lower bowel, by sitting over the vapor of warm water upon which a tablespoonful ot flowers of sulphur had been sprinkled, constitutes a most valuable remedy in what is popularly known as a "fit of the piles." The external use of sulphur in the form of .
ointment has been alreay noticed in the article ITCH. It is also used externally in many other cutaneous disorders, particularly in lepra and psoriasis; and in chronic cases, its application in the form of vapor is often of great service.