What happens to someone who drinks sulfur?

Question

I'm reading about this Ordeal by drinking Sulfur that certain people were put through to prove their innocence. I'm just curious what sulfur would do to someone. Would it kill them? Would it just make them really sick?

Answer 1

Although sulfur in liquid form and diluted in water at 1% in every 70% water is sufficiently safe to be used as a food additive in small amounts, at higher concentrations it reacts with moisture to form sulphurous acid which in sufficient quantities may harm the lungs, eyes or other tissues. In creatures without lungs such as insects or plants, it otherwise prevents respiration.

Hydrogen sulfide is quite toxic (more toxic than cyanide). Although very pungent at first, it quickly deadens the sense of smell, so potential victims may be unaware of its presence until it is too late.

Answer 2

The Indians used to travel to Saratoga Springs in New York state to drink the 'healing' waters from it's many springs. The water stank of sulfur. The water contained large amounts of sulfur and sulfate. The State Park people who now control many of the springs would often keep porta-potties near the springs in the old days to respond to the many cases of the 'trots' caused by the water. Many of the springs were radioactive too but that is a different story. I had a strong sulfur odor in a rural house in the South West part of New York State. The water softener was an old Culligan and had a massive ion exchange bed. The water it produced still smelled and would stain toilets if you gave it a chance. I drank it for 25 years with no apparent problems.

Answer 3

Sulfur is a solid...so you really can't drink it. If you ingest a decent amount it will most likely make you sick...too much and you could very well die....of course, too much of anything will kill you...even too much water will.

Answer 4

it would not hurt them unles they drank too much. lot of the meds are mde from sulphur and some of the foods are preserved by using sulphur.