Sulphur and Flowers of Sulphur

[chunky monkey]

Can anyone tell me what the difference between sulphur powder and flowers of sulphur is. Is sulphur powder edible.

I have orf in my sheep and Ive just been reading that you mix it with salt and leave it out for them. Well I use sulphur powder on the horse, so I wam just wondering if that is okay to use. Or if I have to actually buy the flowers of sulphur.

 

[Louby*eko]

I am no chemist so just from my experience flowers of sulphur/brimstone/sublimed sulphur powder is what is used commonly in skin preparations and the pig oil combo so that is the only one one would be comfortable using.
I suppose as an element sulfur is present in all living cells but It can be part of come nasty chemicals too so you cant be too careful!

 

[Louby*eko]

Regarding whether or not its edible.. ( I had no idea so I googled it) found this...
Not sheep but horses;

http://www.understanding-horse-nutrition.com/sulfur.html
Which states:
Sulfur Deficiency and Toxicity
A deficiency has never been described in horses, and doesn't appear to be a likely problem in the average horse.
Toxicity also appears to be of little concern, due to the fact that it appears high levels of the mineral would be required to induce a toxic response.

However, if toxicity does occur, the results are dramatic in the cases of large overdoses. In 1981, a report was given1 of horses that were 5 to 12 years of age that were accidentally given 200-400 g of flowers-of-sulfur. Flowers-of-sulfur are more than 99% sulfur, so essentially these horses were given 200-400 g of the mineral.

Within 12 hours the horses were extremely lethargic and almost all of them suffered bouts of colic. Many of them also had jaundiced mucous membranes and labored breathing. Two of the twelve horses also died as a result of this mishap.


Sounds like it would take a large od, but still