MERCURIC NITRATE 303 



veterinary purposes, and a more effective preparation is 

 made by mixing one part iodide with six or eight of lard. 

 This ' red ointment ' is very effectual for condensing and 

 reducing splints, spavins, ring-bones, and other bony 

 enlargements. It penetrates deeply, arrests chronic in- 

 flammation, and aids removal of chronic swellings and in- 

 durations of strained tendons, bursse, and joints. It is 

 occasionally used as a counter-irritant in sore-throat, chronic 

 cough, and roaring, relieving cases that have resisted milder 

 blisters. When effusion has occurred in pleuro-pneumonia 

 in horses, and other irritants are ineffectual, an ounce of bin- 

 iodide ointment (1 to 16) rubbed (if need be) into each side 

 is stated sometimes to give relief. It is frequently applied 

 with advantage to the rheumatic joints of cattle. Repeated 

 dressings are serviceable in arresting induration of the udder, 

 lymphatic, and other glands. When absorbent and counter- 

 irritant effects are to be produced, it is sometimes used 

 diluted with iodine ointment. The strong red iodide oint- 

 ment requires to be used with care, otherwise it destroys the 

 hair-roots, causes sloughing and blemishing, and produces 

 constitutional effects. 



MERCURIC NITRATE. Mercury Nitrate. Hg(N0 3 ) 2 . 

 UNGUENTUM HYDRARGYRI NITRATIS. Citrine Ointment. 



When mercury is dissolved in diluted nitric acid, and the 

 solution boiled gently for fifteen minutes, there is produced 

 the B.P. hydrargyri nitratis liquor acidus, a colourless, 

 strongly acid, caustic solution. 



The unguentum hydrargyri nitratis, or citrine ointment, 

 is prepared by mixing a cold solution of mercury in nitric 

 acid with lard and olive oil. It has a lemon-yellow colour, 

 a nitrous acid odour, and is apt to spoil unless well made 

 and kept in earthenware vessels secluded from light. One 

 part of this ointment and four parts of soft yellow paraffin, 

 constitute the B.P. diluted mercuric nitrate ointment. 



ACTIONS AND USES. The stronger mercuric nitrate solutions 

 are caustics. They and the ointments are applicable for 

 many of the purposes of corrosive sublimate, and used for 

 reducing and destroying malignant growths, and stimulating 



