Acidum Sulphurosum

Sulphurous acid. A colorless liquid, having the odor of burning sulphur, and a sulphurous, sour, and somewhat astringent taste. Dose, τη v— 3 j-

Sodii Hyposulphis

Sodium hyposulphite. In large, colorless, transparent crystals, having a bitter, slightly alkaline, and sulphurous taste. It is soluble in one and a half part of water at 60°, and insoluble in alcohol. Dose, gr. v—Эj.

Sodii Sulphis

Sodium sulphite. In white, efflorescent, prismatic crystals, soluble in four parts of cold and in less than one part of boiling water. It has a sulphurous taste, and a feeble alkaline reaction. Dose, gr. v—Эj.

Sodii Bisulphis

Sodium bisulphite. Opaque, prismatic crystals, or a crystalline or granular powder, slowly oxidized and losing sulphurous acid on exposure to air, having a faint sulphurous odor and taste, and an acid reaction; soluble in four parts of water at 60° Fahr., and in two parts of boiling water. Dose, gr. iij— gr. x.

Magnesii Sulphis

Magnesium sulphite. (Unofficial.) A white, crystalline powder; is insoluble in alcohol, but soluble in twenty parts of water at 59° F. Dose, gr. v—Э j.

Potassii Sulphis

Potassium sulphite. In white, opaque fragments or powder, very soluble in water. It has a saline and sulphurous taste. Dose, gr. iij—gr. x.

Antagonists and Incompatibles

The mineral acids—including sulphuric—decompose the sulphites and hyposulphites. All oxidizing substances are incompatible. These preparations have a great affinity for oxygen, and the sulphites readily become sulphates.

Synergists

All remedial agents which arrest fermentative processes promote the therapeutical activity of sulphurous acid and the sulphites.

Physiological Actions

Sulphurous acid is a disinfectant and deodorizer. It attacks organic matter with energy, by virtue of its affinity for oxygen. It is very destructive to the lower forms of life, bacteria, fungi, etc. Sulphurous-acid gas inspired produces great irritation of the glottis, and an intensely suffocative feeling. In sufficient quantity it produces violent inflammation of the air-passages. As by combination with oxygen sulphuric acid is formed, the destructive effect ascribed to sulphurous acid is in reality chiefly due to sulphuric.

The sulphites exposed to the air rapidly absorb oxygen, and pass to the state of sulphates. The hyposulphites are more constant than the sulphites. In the stomach, by the acid of the gastric juice, these salts are in part decomposed and sulphurous acid is given off; in part they are converted into sulphates. They are undoubtedly absorbed as sulphates, and are eliminated partly by the intestinal canal, but chiefly by the kidneys, as sulphates. The author demonstrated these facts soon after the publications of Dr. Polli led to an enthusiastic administration of these remedies in the zymotic diseases.

Therapy

Dilute sulphurous acid is one of the numerous local applications considered efficacious in mercurial stomatitis, aphthae, mucous patches, ulcers of the tonsils, and in diphtheria. In all of these affections the diluted acid may be applied directly to the diseased surface by a mop, a sponge-probang, or in the form of spray. A more easily managed application is a solution of the sulphite of soda ( 3 j— oz j in water).

In certain kinds of vomiting of a yeast-like material, especially when sarcina are present in the vomited matters, the sulphites are often curative. Vomiting of acid matters, pyrosis, and indigestion, due to acid fermentation of the starchy and saccharine elements of the food, are relieved by sulphurous acid ( τηv— 3 j, well diluted), or, but less efficiently, by sulphite of soda (Эj—3 j). The result in these cases is, no doubt, due to the power which sulphurous acid has of arresting the fermentation processes.

Sulphurous acid has been utilized of late in the treatment of phthisis, by rectal injection and by inhalation. A reaction has already begun against the use of the rectal injections—for they are troublesome to execute, and after a while the rectum becomes irritable. Inhalation of the gases, however, is increasing in favor. Dr. Dewar's warm advocacy of sulphurous acid was never tested in its results to any extent. Now, however, it is seen that his mode of treatment has much to recommend it, and was then in advance of his time. More effective, the author finds, is the "Pictet liquid "—which consists of sulphurous-acid gas and carbonic-acid gas liquefied by pressure and kept in siphon-bottles. A small quantity of this can be given out in the air of the apartment occupied by the patient. Care must be used to rightly gauge the quantity to the susceptibility of the patient.

Sulphurous-acid spray is a good local application in syphilitic and tuberculous laryngitis. Cases of chronic bronchitis, with profuse expectoration of a fetid character (bronchorrhoea), are sometimes improved by inhalations of sulphurous-acid gas, or of the acid in the form of spray.

Externally applied, sulphurous acid and the hyposulphites and sulphites are in some maladies extremely serviceable.

As a disinfectant and deodorizer sulphurous acid is at the same time efficient, easily managed, and economical. Sulphurous acid is the product of the combustion of sulphur in the open air; hence, to disinfect rooms, it is necessary only to close all egress and fill them with the fumes of burning sulphur. It is to be remembered that sulphurous acid is injurious to many fabrics. The sulphites are colorless and soluble.

Sulphurous acid is an efficient application to chilblains: Rx Acid sulphurosi, 3 iij; glycerini, 3 j; aquae, oz jss. M. In parasitic skin-diseases, the sulphites, hyposulphites, and sulphurous acid are used to destroy the parasites. The following formula is employed by Startin in these affections: Rx Sodii hyposulphitis, oz iij; acid, sulphurosi dil., oz ss; aquae, q. s. ad oz xvj. Fox recommends the following formula in tinea versicolor and in pruritus vulvce: Rx, Sodii hyposulphitis, 3 iv; glycerini, 3 ij; aquae destil. ad oz vj.

Sulphurous acid is an excellent application to ill-conditioned, sloughing, or gangrenous wounds. It was very successful in these cases, at the English hospital at Metz, during the Franco-German War.

Authorities referred to:

Bartholow, Dr. Roberts. The Lancet and Observer, Cincinnati, 1865.

Bird, Dr. Robert. The Practitioner, vol. ii, p. 247.

Braun and Bernatzik, Profs. Wiener med. Wochenschrift, Nos. 94-99, 1869.

Dewar, Dr. James. On the Application of Sulphurous-Acid Gas to the Prevention, Limitation, and Cure of Contagious Diseases, Edinburgh, 1866.

Drysdale, Dr. Charles R. The Lancet, July 24, 1869.

Fergus, Mr. The Lancet, November 26, 1860.

Fox, Dr. Tilbury. Skin Diseases, New York, 1873.

Miller, Dr. Edinburgh MedicalJournal, September, 1869.

Polli, Prof. Various Papers. Abstracts in Schmidt's Jahrbücher der gesammten Medicin, etc., for 1864, '65, '66, to 1870.

Purdon, Dr. H. S. British Medical Journal, May 9, 1868.