Sulphur.
Gandak, Gandhak (Hind., Duk., Mah., Guz., Punj.), Gandrok (Beng.), Gandakam, Gandhakam (Tam., Tel., Mal., Cing.), Gandhaká (Can.), Kán (Burm.), Blerang (Malay), Ganduk (Kash.).
340. Several kinds of Sulphur are met with in the bazaars, but as their composition is unknown and some of them are reputed to contain a large proportion of arsenic, they are unsuited for internal administration; the better and purer kinds, however, may be safely employed as external applications.
341. As a remedy for Itch, Sulphur Ointment holds a high place. One part of finely powdered or sublimed sulphur to six of kokum butter or any bland oil is sufficiently strong for ordinary cases. After cleansing the parts with soap and hot water, the ointment should be thoroughly well rubbed in for fifteen or twenty minutes, till the pustules are all broken. Its use should be confined to the hands and wrists and other parts affected; no good is obtained from applying it extensively over the whole surface of the body, as is often done. It is best rubbed in at night before going to bed, allowing it to remain on the whole night, and then washing it off in the morning with soap and hot water. This process may be repeated every night till a cure is effected, which will be the case after three or four applications, provided the ointment is properly rubbed in. The patient should not resume the clothes he wore previously until they have been subjected to the process of boiling, a temperature of 212° F. being necessary for the destruction of the acarus, on the presence of which the disease depends. Simply washing the clothes in hot water will not destroy the germ of infection.
342. Some other forms of Chronic Skin Disease in Natives improve under the use of Sulphur Ointment, described in the last section; or, better still, of "Balsam of Sulphur" so called, which is simply a solution of sulphur in warm Olive or Sesamum Oil.
343. In Chronic Rheumatism a liniment, composed of two ounces of powdered or Sublimed Sulphur, and a pint of Ním Oil, well rubbed in twice daily, has been used with great benefit in many cases. Relief sometimes follows the practice of dusting the affected part with Flour of Sulphur at bedtime, enveloping it in flannel, and covering the whole with plantain-leaf to prevent the escape of the fumes.
344. In Piles few medicines afford more relief to the distressing local symptoms than a mixture of equal parts of Sublimed Sulphur and Cream of Tartar; of this a teaspoonful should be taken in milk once or twice daily, so as to keep the bowels gently open. Should this quantity, however, operate too powerfully on the bowels, the dose should be diminished. The ingredients for this powder should be procured from a regular chemist. The same treatment appears to act beneficially in Chronic Dysentery. It is likewise well adapted for Habitual Constipation, especially when occurring in persons subject to piles. It is well to bear in mind that in all cases where Sulphur is administered internally, it communicates to the stools a peculiarly disagreeable odour of sulphuretted hydrogen.
345.
Tamarinds.
The Fruit of Tamarindus Indicus, Linn.