VERMINOUS DISEASES. £13 



boiled to make a decoction of it ; and in conformi- 

 ty to the results obtained, he asserts with certain- 

 ty that the water holds in solution only the small- 

 est possible portion of mercury : that the largest 

 portion of the solution is charged with particles of 

 lead and foreign substances usually found in union 

 with mercury. 



In addition to this, Rosenstein has administered 

 mercury in several cases, even to salivation, with- 

 out being able to expel a single worm.* Instruct- 

 ed by these observations, and by some of my own, 

 I conclude that nonoxidized mercury is not to be 

 regarded as vermifuge, except when it has been 

 triturated with other appropriate medicines. It is 

 administered to patients tormented with worms un- 

 der the form of electuary or pills. (100) 



Mercury, given in the state of oxide, acts on 

 the solids as a powerful stimulant, since by its use, 

 the pulse acquires great force, and the secretions 

 and excretions are augmented. In this way sever- 

 al of the oxides of mercury have been very efficient 

 in expelling worms, and in curing verminous affec- 

 tions. Among these the submuriate of mercury is 

 to be preferred, tlien the ammoniacal muriate of 

 mercury ; and the sulphate of mercury administer- 

 ed in powders, boluses, or pills(lOl) etc. Sul- 



* Our school- fellow, Dr. Ciishet, has assured us that he em- 

 ployed the decoction of mercury uith two children, troubled 

 with lumbricoides, with the greatest success. Professor Foiir- 

 croy also recommends the use of it in his Cours de CItimie, at 

 the school of medicine of Paris. F. 7Vs. 



