Lond. Alcohol dilutus, Edin. Spiritus tenuior, Dub. Weaker Spirit. Diluted Alcohol. Proof Spirit.

1 Five pints of rectified spirit are reduced to proof spirit by the addition of three pints of distilled water, at a temperature of 62°. 2 For a description of this instrument, see Part I.

of comparative purity, being mixed with a white earth only, from which it is separated by sublimation, and the sulphur thus freed is melted and cast into moulds, forming the roll sulphur of commerce. It is imported into Britain chiefly from Sicilyl and Naples; but a large proportion of what is used in this country is obtained from the roasting of pyrites. At the Parys mines in Anglesea were works for this purpose on a large scale; where, in working the copper pyrites, the sulphur volatilized in the roasting was collected in chambers, which were connected with the domes of the furnaces by means of horizontal flues. Each chamber had a door, by means of which it was cleared of the sulphur once in six weeks. This is the general mode of obtaining sulphur from pyrites; and thus procured, it is in rough, pulverulent, spongy crusts, of a dirty greyish-yellow colour. In order to purify it, the crusts are broken and thrown into a boiler, in which it melts; and after the impurities are separated by skimming and subsidence, it is cast into cylindrical moulds, forming roll sulphur; or into cones about two feet high, which form the loaf sulphur of commerce.2

The common English roll sulphur is said often to contain a full fifteenth part of orpiment, while the Sicilian sulphur contains seldom more than 3 per cent, of a simple earth; and therefore is justly preferred. Both of them are purified in the large way by conducting the vapour of melted sulphur into close chambers, where it concretes in the form of a fine powder: but for medicinal use, that which is sublimed by heating in a sand-bath, an earthen cucurbit, charged with roll sulphur, and conveying the vapours to be concreted into a set of alludels placed round the cucurbit, is to be preferred. Prepared in either mode, it is the sulphur sublimatum 3 of the Pharmacopoeias. Sulphur, especially in the roll, contains many impurities, the amount of which may be detected by boiling 100 grains in four ounces of oil of turpentine, pouring off the solution while hot, and repeating the boilings, until no more is dissolved. The residue indicates the amount of the impurities.4

Qualities.-Roll sulphur is a crystallized, brittle, solid body of a greenish-yellow colour, has a peculiar well-known odour when rubbed or heated, and is insipid. It breaks from the heat of the hand, when held in it for a short time; and being a non-conductor of electricity, becomes negatively electrical when rubbed. Its specific gravity is 1.99. Sublimed sulphur is in the form of a very bright yellow powder, and contains a minute portion of sulphuric acid, from which it can be separated by washing it with water. Sulphur volatilizes under 220° Fahr., at which it fuses; and what is singular, by increasing the heat to 320°, it becomes thick and viscid, and if then poured into water, it assumes a red colour and ductility like wax l; while its specific gravity is increased to 2.325. Fused sulphur crystallizes as it cools. At 560° it becomes an elastic fluid. When heated in the air it inflames at 300°, and burns with a pale blue flame, emits pungent suffocating vapours, and becomes acidified; the acid is the sulphurous, for the sulphuric is never formed unless moisture be present. It is insoluble in water; but soluble in a small degree in alcohol, ether, and oils; and combines with the alkalies, and many of the earths and metallic substances.

The experiments of Davy led to the supposition that sulphur is a triple compound of oxygen, hydrogen, and a peculiar base2, but it is still generally regarded as a simple substance. The equivalent of sulphur is 16.1.

1 In Sicily it is procured from Samattino, Gallati, Trabria, Pentellaria, Licati, Salato, Palmo, Tavara, Girgenti, and Falconara. The Harz yields 954 cwt. of sulphur annually.

2 The sulphur vivum of the shops is the impure drees of this process.

4 Brande's Manual, p. 178.

Medical properties and uses. - Sulphur is laxative, and a stimulating diaphoretic. From the gentleness of its operation on the bowels, it is one of the best means of keeping them lax in haemorrhoidal affections; and the diaphoresis which it at the same time excites has rendered it serviceable in chronic rheumatism and catarrh, and in atonic gout, rickets, asthma, and other pulmonary affections not attended with acute inflammation. It is supposed that it combines with hydrogen in the stomach. It manifestly transpires through the skin, perhaps, however, in the state of sulphuretted hydrogen, which may be the cause that silver is blackened when kept in the pockets of those who take sulphur. It is specific in scabies and some other cutaneous affections, in which it is applied externally, and taken internally, at the same time.

The dose may be from Эj. to 3ii., mixed into an electuary with syrup or treacle, or it may be given in milk. To promote its purgative power it may be combined with bitartrate of potassa; and in haemorrhoidal cases with magnesia.

Officinal preparations. - Sulphur lotum, E. D. Unguentum Shulpuris, L. E. D. Unguentum Sulphuris compositum, L.

1 In this state it is kneaded under the water, and used for receiving the impressions of seals and medals. 2 Phil. Trans. 1809.

SUS. Syst. Nat. Gmelin, i. 217.

D. 1. Vertebrata. Cl. 1. Mammalia. Ord. 6. Pachydermata. Cuvier.

G. 35. Fore-teeth four in the upper jaw converging, and six prominent in the lower jaw. Tusks two shorter in the upper jaw; and two in the under jaw displayed. Snout truncated, prominent, movable. Feet cloven.

Species 1. Sus Scrofa.' The Hog. Jonst. quadr. 99. t. 47.

Officinal. Adeps Suillus, Edin. Dub. Fat Hog's lard.

Syn. Sain doux (F.), Schweineschmalz (G.), Swinster (Swed.), Szmalee (Pol), Lardo (I.), Pingue (S.), Punnie Colupoo (Tarn.), Booboo (Beghartni).

The hog is too well known to require a particular description. It is an inhabitant of the greater part of the temperate regions of the globe, the wild and the domestic being varieties of the same species; and of both there are several sub-varieties. The period of gestation of the sow is four months, and the offspring numerous, occasionally exceeding twenty at a litter, which the boar sometimes devours. The hog does not shed its teeth, and seldom lives beyond twenty-five or thirty years. It is much infested with vermin; and is subject to several diseases, particularly hydatid dropsy, scrofula, and scabies. Its food is of a vegetable nature; but it is asserted that pepper kills it. As an article of diet, the flesh of the hog, when the animal has been castrated and properly fed2, is very palatable, and not unwholesome; and when salted keeps better than most other meats. But the frequent use of pork is said to favour obesity, and occasions disorders of the skin, particularly in the sedentary. The lard, which is the officinal part of the hog, is obtained chiefly from the flank of the animal.

To free it from the membranes and vessels, it is cut in small pieces, then very well washed in water, until the water comes off colourless, and afterwards melted with a very gentle heat in a shallow vessel, continued on the fire till the whole of the water is evaporated. While in the melted state, it is run into bladders, in which it concretes;. and is thus brought to market.

Qualities. - Lard is inodorous, tasteless, and white; soft, and nearly semifluid. Exposed to a heat of 97° it melts, and concretes again when cooled. It is insoluble in water, alcohol, and ether: but is dissolved by the strong acids, being at the same time decomposed; and, like the fixed oils, it combines with the alkalies and forms soap. It is oxidized, if, when melted, a little nitric acid be stirred into it; and assumes a greater degree of firmness, with a yellow colour. By destructive distillation it affords results very similar to those obtained from the analysis of fixed oil; and appears to be a compound of oxygen, hydrogen, and carbon, in unknown proportions. From the experiments of Chevreul, it appears to consist of a mixture of two distinct oily substances; one of which is solid at the usual temperature, and has been named by him stearin; and the other liquid, which he has named elain. The proportion in 100 parts of lard is, of stearin 38, elain 62 parts.1 When lard is long exposed to a warm air, it becomes yellow, emits a foetid odour; and, owing to oxygen being attracted from the atmosphere, the sebacic acid is formed.

This state of rancidity may, in some degree, be removed by washing it with very pure, soft water; which during the operation becomes acid, and reddens litmus paper.

Aristotle.

2 The qualities of the flesh depend much on the diet of the animal. Pork fed at a flour mill is always good; and Russel says, that which is fed near Aleppo on liquorice root, which grows in great abundance in the desert, is fat, delicious, and remarkably digestible.

Medical properties and uses. - Lard is emollient; and owing to its softness and unctuosity is preferable to fat as a friction, but it is seldom used for this purpose; and is chiefly employed in the formation of ointments.

Officinal preparation. - Adeps preparata, L. D.