It is quite possible for a medicine to possess marked therapeutic and curative properties and yet be devoid of a pronounced physiological action. This is true of Sulphur.

The pure element is practically insoluble and inert, even when taken in large doses. Its grosser action is confined to the intestinal tract and the skin. Hydrogen sul-phid is formed by the action of bacteria and proteids upon ingested sulphur. This stimulates peristalsis. Sulphur must be present in the form of an alkaline sulphid in order to produce diarrhea. These salts are not formed in the intestines, hence a soft stool instead of a diarrhea results.

Sulphur applied to the skin is slowly transformed into an alkaline sulphid and as such causes irritation and may soften and dissolve the keratin of the epidermis. Numerous forms of skin diseases, characterized in general by eczema, are produced by this remedy. A misconception of the valuable therapeutic applications that may be made of Sulphur would result from a study of its pharmacological action alone.

Therapeutics

Sulphur has always been looked upon as a profoun fly acting constitutional remedy, one related to many different conditions common to chronic diseases. The old domestic use of sulphur and molasses had as its object, a sort of hemic house cleaning, to bring about a better state of the blood in particular and of the body in general.

In a crude way this is true, for Sulphur certainly finds a wide field of action in skin diseases, which are marked by various eruptions, itching and burning, especially when the hapless victim becomes heated, particularly at night from the warmth of the bed. This aggravation from heat or from becoming heated, is in fact, a great characteristic indication for Sulphur and ranks with another important symptom, burning pains or sensations. One naturally associates burning with Sulphur and so this valuable indication may be easily remembered.

Sulphur is, therefore, of use in any skin disease when the indications above noted are found to be present, and with them will also be associated an aggravation of skin eruptions from the use of water. Water and Sulphur are not friends, indeed they are quite antagonistic and the aggravation of the complaints of the Sulphur patient from water, is another reliable characteristic of this remedy.

Where Sulphur is needed we find an undue redness of mucocutaneous outlets; the lips are red, the anus is red as though excoriated. Sanguineous congestions, to the head and face especially, typify the Sulphur patient and cause in him a desire for the cool open air, or to uncover. The soles of the feet are hot and burn and the Sulphur baby will persistently stick them out from beneath the covers, even in the coldest weather. The thirst of this remedy is decided, even though the appetite may be poor. On the other hand, we frequently find an unnatural ravenous appetite, often associated with a peculiar faint-ness or emptiness at the stomach, occurring in the forenoon, especially at eleven o'clock.

The bowels of this remedy, so to speak, are usually loose, which is to say, that diarrhea is characteristic of the medicine. This diarrhea is generally recurrent or chronic and is aggravated in the early morning hours, driving the patient out of bed. The stools are offensive, watery, copious, excoriating and painless; although colicky, griping pains may precede the attacks. There is apt to be much offensive flatus passed, often hot.

The Sulphur patient suffers from headaches, periodical in character and occurring especially every seven or fourteen days. He complains of downward pressure upon the vertex, or of burning in the same location.

Although diarrhea is most characteristic of this medicine, alternate diarrhea and constipation, or the latter alone, is also found. There is then much straining, often fruitless, with burning and soreness of the anus and hard, knotty stools.

In chronic otorrhea with offensive, excoriating discharge and rawness of the auditory canal and outlet, the remedy is of value; likewise in persistent, chronic nasal catarrh, with frequently recurring attacks of coryza, marked by hot, burning, watery discharge and much sneezing, Sulphur will be of aid and will help to overcome the tendency to "cold catching."

In eye diseases marked by burning, sticking pains, redness and chronic inflammation of the lids, with hot excoriating discharges, Sulphur is indicated. Thus chronic blepharitis, conjunctivitis and keratitis may all be helped by this remedy when in addition to the local symptoms, its general characteristics are in evidence. In fact, Sulphur may and often is of great service in almost any disease, provided that these guiding indications are present.

Sulphur tends to arouse reaction in conditions in which this has been slow or wanting, or where other remedies have partially relieved, but have failed of cure. The general Sulphur symptoms must, however, then be apparent, if good results are to be expected. Hence Sulphur often fol lows Aconite, when the latter has toned down the violent acute manifestations of disease, but when some continued fever and failure to fully recover, show that the patient is still in the grip of some smoldering, lingering morbid process.

In gastric disorders Sulphur, in addition to the symptoms already outlined, will be further indicated by sour and bitter taste and by sour eructations. Quick satiety or fulness after eating, as well as a strong desire for sweets, are symptoms which closely resemble those of Lycopo-diutn, from which remedy Sulphur may at times need to be differentiated.

In infantile diseases this remedy will many times be required, especially in subacute or chronic enteritis, in glandular troubles and in marasmus, and its well marked characteristic indications will serve to point to its use.

Mentally the Sulphur patient is irritable and melancholic. In the insane the remedy is of service when delusions of grandeur are marked, or when the sufferer is troubled over his own salvation, as in religious mania.

Delayed resolution in pneumonia calls for this remedy when there are mucopurulent sputa, hectic, dry mouth and tongue, thirst, dyspnea and a general typhoid aspect. Such cases often threaten to become tuberculous in character and it is here that Sulphur may turn the scale in the favorable direction.

Insomnia demands Sulphur as its rem-edy when the patient is restless, wakes frequently, sleeping in short naps only, and has some of the general Sulphur symptoms.

It cannot be emphasized too strongly that in Sulphur we have a most efficient remedy, useful in many and variable conditions, without special regard to their pathologic or diagnostic character.

Characteristic Symptoms Of Sulphur

1. Black comedones on the face.

2. Great thirst, little appetite.

3. Empty, gone, faint feeling in stomach about 11 A. M.

4. Diarrhea some hours after midnight, or driving patient out of bed, early in the morning.

5. Both the flow of urine and discharge of feces are painful to the parts over which they pass.

6. Burning in the vagina; scarcely able to keep still.

7. Attacks of suffocation, especially at night in bed; wants doors and windows open.

8. Weakness in chest in evening, when lying down.

9. Unsteady gait, tremor of hands.

10. Standing is the most disagreeable position.

11. Does not walk erect; stoops or bends in walking or sitting.

12. Child dislikes to be washed or bathed.

13. Heat in soles of feet, or cold feet and burning soles, wants to find a cool place for them, or puts them out of bed.

14. Cramps in calves of legs, or soles of feet, principally at night.

15. Hot flashes, with spells of faintness, or passing off with a little moisture and faintness or debility.

16. Voluptuous itching and tingling, burning and soreness from scratching.

17. Irresistible drowsiness in day time, and wakefulness the whole night.

18. As an intercurrent remedy, when carefully selected remedies fail to produce a favorable effect; deficient or lack of reaction.