Marsh Rosemary. Radix.
[This is a perennial plant found in all parts of the United States. It flowers in the months of July and August. The root, which is the part used in medicine, is astringent, and contains large proportions of tannin and gallic acid. As a medicine it has been much used in this country, and is prescribed with advantage in a number of diseases in which astringents are required. In chronic dysentery, diarrhœa, and cholera infantum, more especially, it has been found exceedingly beneficial. It may be given in infusion or decoction, made by adding ʒij of the root to ℥xij of water.]
SUCCI SPISSATI. E. See Extracta.
SULPHUR SUBLIMATUM. L.E.D.
Sublimed Sulphur. Flowers of Sulphur.
Chemical Composition. It is probably a triple compound of oxygen, hydrogen, and some unknown base. Solubility. It is insoluble in water and alcohol, but soluble in oils, especially in that of linseed, which is a powerful solvent of all sulphureous substances. In boiling oil of turpentine it is entirely soluble. Medicinal Uses. It is laxative and diaphoretic; it acts principally upon the large intestines, and very mildly, whence it proves useful in hæmorrhoidal affections (Form. 74); and in consequence of the diaphoresis which it also excites, it is useful in chronic rheumatisms, catarrhs, and in some cutaneous affections.[[654]] To promote its purgative effects, magnesia will be found a serviceable adjunct in hæmorrhoids; it may be given in the form of an electuary, or suspended in milk; its solution in oil (Oleum Sulphuratum) is a most nauseous and acrid preparation. When sulphur is combined with metallic remedies, it generally lessens their activity. Its effects in curing psora are universally admitted, and the only objection to its use is the disgusting smell which accompanies its application; see Unguent: Sulphuris. Dr. Clarke of Dublin recommends a lotion which he says contains a sufficient impregnation of sulphur for the cure of psora in children, to be made by adding an ounce of broken sulphur to a quart of boiling water, and allowing it to infuse for twelve hours. In this process, the water probably takes up a small portion of sulphurous acid; it is difficult to explain the efficacy of the lotion in any other manner. When sulphur is internally administered, it transpires through the skin in the state of sulphuretted hydrogen, and blackens the silver in the pockets of those who take it. Dose ʒj to ʒiij. Officinal Prep. Sulphur Lotum. L.E.D. Sulphur Præcipitatum. L. Unguent. Sulph. L.E.D. Unguent. Sulph. comp. L.
Sulphur Lotum. When sulphur is kept in loosely covered drawers its surface is soon acidified, when it is said to operate with griping, hence the common flowers are directed to be washed with water to get rid of any sulphurous acid; it is however rarely performed, and would seem to be a useless subtlety.
Sulphur Præcipitatum. L. Lac Sulphuris, P.L. 1720. This, when pure, differs in no other respect from sublimed sulphur than in its superior whiteness, which it owes to the presence of a small proportion of water; in consequence however of its mode of preparation, it always contains a small quantity of sulphate of lime, and not unfrequently other impurities; it may be assayed by pouring upon a suspected sample a sufficient quantity of liquor potassæ to cover it, and setting it aside in a warm place to digest, when the sulphur will be dissolved and the impurities remain; or it might be at once subjected to the operation of heat; which would volatilize the sulphur, and thus separate it from its contaminations.
SYRUPI. L.E.D. Syrups.
These are solutions of sugar in water, watery infusions, or in vegetable juices; the proportion of sugar is generally two parts to one of the fluid; if it exceeds this, the solution will crystallize, if it be less, ferment, and become acescent.[[655]] The most certain test of the proper consistence of a syrup is its specific gravity; a bottle that holds three ounces of water at 55 Fah. ought to hold four ounces of syrup. Syrups are introduced into medicinal formulæ for several purposes, viz.