‖ hepar Chem. and Med.
(ˈhiːpɑː(r))
[med.L., a. Gr. ἧπαρ liver, in reference to its colour.]
1. An old name for a metallic sulphide, having a reddish-brown or liver colour. Also, for compounds of sulphur with other substances. (Cf. hepatule.)
| 1796 Kirwan Elem. Min. (ed. 2) II. 321 Molybdenous Acid..takes Sulphur from its Hepars. 1799 ― Geol. Ess. 397 Glauber is found..frequently in the state of a hepar. 1800 Henry Epit. Chem. (1808) 149 [Sulphurets] have, for the most part, a reddish brown or liver colour; and hence were formerly called hepars, or livers of sulphur. |
2. Also more fully,
hepar sulphuris or
hepar sulphur:
a. (
H. s. kalinum) Old name for
potassa sulphurata.
b. (
H. s. calcareum) The name commonly given in homœopathy to calcium sulphide.
| a. 1693 Salmon Bates' Disp. (1715) 436/1 Le Febure makes this Hepar Sulphuris thus: ℞ Of the best Sulphur in fine Pouder ℥iv. Salt of Tartar very dry, as much: Mix them together..till all be reduced to a Mass, which is called the Liver of Sulphur. 1742 Phil. Trans. XLII. 73 That sort of Hepar, formed by the Union of the Caustic Salt with the Sulphur of the Ashes of the Glass-wort. 1873 Fownes' Chem. (ed. 11) 327 Liver of sulphur, or hepar sulphuris, is a name given to a brownish substance, made by fusing together..potassium carbonate and sulphur. |
| b. 1866 Allshorn's Handy-bk. Homœop. Pract. 22 Hepar Sulphuris, Sulphuret of Lime, Proto-Sulphuret of Calcium, or Liver of Sulphur, is prepared by trituration. 1885 Pall Mall G. 26 Feb. 6/2 Patti, I am told, puts a great deal of dependence upon hepar-sulphur. 1887 Homœop. World 11 Nov. 503 If the patient has been already dosed with Mercury, Hepar is the remedy. |