Flower of Brimstone is powdered sulphur!
The Dictionary of Medical and Surgical Knowledge and Complete
Practical Guide in Health and Disease for Families, Emigrants and
Colonists by the Editor of the "Dictionary of Useful Knowledge"&c.
(London: Houlston and Wright, 1864) states the following:
"Sulphur is kept in three forms in the shops, - 1st, that of roll
sulphur; 2nd, sublimed sulphur; and 3rd, the milk of sulphur..... The
adult dose of either the sublimed, or milk of sulphur, as a
diaphoretic or deobstruent, is from half a drachm ....[i.e. it is for
external use only - usually for skin diseases] Sulphur combined with
treacle is a popular remedy for unhealthy children, as a purifier of
the blood; and for acting on the bowels, and correcting the state of
the system, it is certainly a very efficacious medicine."
If one looks up "flower of brimstone" in this dictionary, it sends you
to "sublimated sulphur", and "sublimated sulphur" sends you to "sulphur" whence
comes the section I quoted. Such a powder probably would take care of tartar,
although it would take a tartar to stand the taste.
___________________ Reply Separator _________________________________
Subject: Flour of brimstone
Author: HISTORICAL ARCHAEOLOGY <[log in to unmask]> at INTERNET
Date: 28/02/97 18:17
The 14 December 1886 issue of the Arizona Gazette reports:
"The tartar which so generally accumulates at the back of the teeth, forming oft
en a thick crust, may speedily and effectually be removed by brushing it with a
soft brush dipped in fresh flour of brimstone. After a few applications the tart
ar will crumble away."
Yikes, sounds rather unpleasant. Any guesses what "flour of brimstone" would be?
(Baking soda???)
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