An improved Method of Applying Arsenic and Sulphur for Destroying Animal and Vegetable Parasites and Preventing their Attacks.
Year: 1886

page_text: Date of Application, 17th Sept., 1886.
Complete Left, 8th June, 1887.
Complete Accepted, 22nd July, 1887.
An improved Method of Applying Arsenic and Sulphur for Destroying
Animal and Vegetable Parasites and Preventing their Attacks.
I, ALFRED BLACKIE, of Tidebrook Manor, Wadhurst, in the County of Sussex,
Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
My invention has for its object the application of arsenic and sulphur for destroying
animal and vegetable parasites and preventing their attacks, by a method free from
the objections and difficulties which have hitherto been attendant on the use of these
substances.
Before particularly describing my improved method of application, I will shortly
refer to the present modes of applying arsenic and sulphur in order that the
advantages of my system may be more clearly understood.
Arsenic and sulphur have long been known as two of the most valuable agents for
destroying parasites on sheep and other animals and protecting such animals from the
attacks of maggot fly. Sulphur has also been much used as a remedy for certain
insect and fungus blights on plants.
The principal difficulty to be contended with in the use of both these substances is
the fact that they are not sufficiently soluble in water to render a simple aqueous
solution available for the purpose in question.
In the case of arsenic it would be most dangerous to use it in the state of powder.
To obtain it in solution quantities of alkali have been used to dissolve it, but the use
of such alkali is extremely objectionable for many reasons.
Sulphur has been much used in the form of flower of sulphur which is practically
insoluble in water. This has either been applied in the form of a powder, in which
case it is difficult of application and by no means suited to fully effect the purpose in
view, or it has been stirred into water and applied while in a state of suspension in
the wash. In the latter case however the greater portion quickly sinks to the bottom
of the wash and the results obtained are by no means satisfactory.
In the improvements now to be described my object has been to obtain the arsenic
and sulphur in such a condition that they may be evenly and intimately mixed with

page_text: water and remain in that state for a very considerable time, so that when applied in
the form of a wash, a perfect and even distribution of the constituents is effected.
To effect these objects I proceed as follows:-
I prepare a solution of arsenic of suitable strength by dissolving it in glycerine by
the aid of heat, thus avoiding the employment of an alkali.
I also prepare a solution of sulphur by first dissolving a suitable quantity of sulphide
of potassium or sulphide of sodium in water and then by the aid of heat dissolving
therein a quantity of flower of sulphur so as to produce a polysulphide or penta-
sulphide of the alkaline metal.
Although I prefer to use solutions of ready formed sulphide of potassium or sulphide
of sodium, it will be understood that I do not confine myself to the employment of
solutions of these substances prepared as hereinbefore described, but similar solutions
may be prepared in other ways as for instance by the action of a caustic alkali on
sulphur.
From these two solutions either by themselves or in association with other solutions,
very valuable washes for freeing animals from parasites, and plants from insects and
mildew may be produced.
Thus if some of the solution of arsenic be diluted with a suitable quantity of water
and an appropriate portion of the sulphur solution added thereto a white milky
precipitate will immediately be formed, which is in such an extremely fine state of
division that it will not settle for a very long period.
The wash thus produced is a most officient sheep dip, the arsenic and sulphur being
far more evenly distributed and in a more active state than can be obtained by the
methods generally employed.
Moreover either or both of the solutions described may be added to sheep dips made
from carbolic acid, creasote, tar oils, resin or resin oils or combinations of such
substances and in each case a fine precipitate which does not easily settle will be
formed and the efficacy of such dips much increased.
It is generally preferable to first dilute the dip before adding the above described
solutions thereto.
In the same way the sulphur solution may be added to certain washes prepared for
plants with a similar effect, namely the securing of the equal distribution of the
sulphur in a fine state of division.
Dated this 17th day of September 1886.
ALLISON BROS.,
Agents for the Applicant.

page_text: An Improved Method of Applying Arsenic and Sulphur for Destroying
Animal and Vegetable Parasites and Preventing their Attacks.
I, ALFRED BLACKIE, of Tidebrook Manor, Wadhurst, in the County of Sussex,
Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of this invention, and in what manner the
same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement:-
My invention has for its object the application of arsenic and sulphur for destroying
animal and vegetable parasites and preventing their attacks, by a method free from
the objections and difficulties which have hitherto been attendant on the use of these
substances.
Before particularly describing my improved method of application, I will shortly
refer to the present modes of applying arsenic and sulphur in order that the advantages
of my system may be more clearly understood.
Arsenic and sulphur have long been known as two of the most valuable agents for
destroying parasites on sheep and other animals and protecting such animals from the
attacks of maggot fly. Sulphur has also been much used as a remedy for certain
insect and fungus blights on plants.
The principal difficulty to be contended with in the use of both these substances is
the fact that they are not sufficiently soluble in water to render a simple aqueous
solution available for the purpose in question.
In the case of arsenic it would be most dangerous to use it in the state of powder.
To obtain it in solution quantities of alkali have been used to dissolve it, but the use
of such alkali is extremely objectionable for many reasons.
Sulphur has been much used in the form of flower of sulphur which is practically
insoluble in water. This has either been applied in the form of a powder, in which
case it is difficult of application and by no means suited to fully effect the purpose in
view, or it has been stirred into water and applied while in a state of suspension in the
wash. In the latter case however the greater portion quickly sinks to the bottom of
the wash and the results obtained are by no means satisfactory.
In the improvements now to be described my object has been to obtain the arsenic
and sulphur in such a condition that they may be evenly and intimately mixed with
water and remain in that state for a very considerable time, so that when applied in
the form of a wash, a perfect and even distribution of the constituents is effected.
To effect these objects I proceed as follows:-
I prepare a solution of arsenic of suitable strength by dissolving it in glycerine by
the aid of heat, thus avoiding the employment of an alkali.
I also prepare a solution of sulphur by first dissolving a suitable quantity of sulphide
of potassium or sulphide of sodium in water and then by the aid of heat dissolving
therein a quantity of sulphur (preferably in the form of flower of sulphur) so as to
produce a polysulphide or pentasulphide of the alkaline metal.

page_text: Although I prefer to use solutions of ready formed sulphide of potassium or sulphide
of sodium, it will be understood that I do not confine myself to the employment of
solutions of these substances prepared as hereinbefore described, but similar solutions
may be prepared in other ways as for instance by the action of a caustic alkali on
sulphur.
From these two solutions either by themselves or in association with other solutions,
very valuable washes for freeing animals from parasites, and plants from insects and
mildew, may be produced.
Thus if some of the solution of arsenic be diluted with a suitable quantity of water
and an appropriate portion of the sulphur solution added thereto a white milky
precipitate will immediately be formed, which is in such an extremely fine state of
division that it will not settle for a very long period.
The wash thus produced is a most efficient sheep dip, the arsenic and sulphur being
far more evenly distributed and in a more active state than can be obtained by the
methods generally employed.
Moreover either or both of the solutions described may be added to sheep dips made
from carbolic acid, creasote, tar oils, resin or resin oils or combinations of such sub-
stances and in each case a fine precipitate which does not easily settle will be formed
and the efficacy of such dips much increased.
It is generally preferable to first dilute the dip before adding the above described
solutions thereto.
In the same way the sulphur solution may be added to certain washes prepared for
plants with a similar effect, namely the securing of the equal distribution of the sulphur
in a fine state of division.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said Invention,
and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I claim is:―
The obtaining of arsenic and sulphur in a fine state of division to facilitate their use
for destroying animal and vegetable parasites and preventing their attacks, by the
admixture of a solution of arsenic in glycerine and a solution of sulphur in sulphide of
potassium or in sulphide of sodium, either with each other, or of either or both with
other washes to be used for such destructive or preventitive purposes, all substantially
as specified.
Dated this 8th day of June 1887