AND PHARMACOPCEIA. 509 



state it is a good remedy for bog spavin, or other swellings of 

 the liock joint. 



Mercurial ointment is said to be an effectual remedy for the 

 scab in sheep, and is often an ingredient in ointments for the 

 mange. In making mercurial ointment, the operation is con- 

 siderably expedited by using a small quantity of old suet, tallow 

 that is rancid, or Venice turpentine. 



Persons unacquainted with pharmacy commonly prefer mer- 

 curial ointment that has been recently prepared. It is said, 

 however, that old and rather rancid ointment is more power- 

 ful, particularly if rubbed for some time in a mortar before it 

 is used. 



jMercurial Pill. — Pilula Hydrarciyri. This is the mildest 

 of the mercurial preparations, except Ethiops mineral, and the 

 preparation named " Mercury with chalk." It is made by rub- 

 bing two ounces of quicksilver in a mortar, with three ounces of 

 conserve of roses, until the quicksilver is quite extinguished ; to 

 accomplish which perfectly requires their being rubbed together 

 many hours. When sufficiently rubbed, add one ounce of 

 liquorice powder, and beat the whole into a mass. The dose, 

 from one to three or four drachms daily, until some effect is 

 produced ; but, when sickness or loss of appetite require it, it 

 should be discontinued a short time. This, or Ethiops mineral, 

 is the mercurial preparation I would recommend for glanders 

 and farcy. 



MERCURY. — Hydrargyrum. Quicksilver is commonly 

 distinguished by this name, the various preparations of which 

 will be described in their proper places. See Calomel, Sub- 

 limate, Cinnabar, Ethiop's Mineral, Precipitate, 

 White and Red Oxide of Mercury, Mercurial Oint- 

 ment, &c. 



Mercury or quicksilver is found in Spain, Germany, Hungary, 

 Siberia, the Philippines, China, and Peru. The most produc- 

 tive mines are those of Istria, Carinthia, and the Palatinate. It 

 is found either in a metallic state, or combined with silver or 

 sulphur ; with the latter it forms native cinnabar. It is found 

 also combined with chlorine and a portion of sulphuric acid, and 

 is then named corneous mercury. It is separated from these 

 combinations by distilling it with quick lime. In its metallic 

 state, mercury exerts no action on the animal system ; it has, 

 neverthekss, been exhibited in doses of a pound in the human 

 subject, with a view of operating mechanically in the removal of 

 obstructions in the intestines ; but, as it cannot, by its gravity, 

 act on the ascending part of the bowels, it is not easy to conceive 

 how it should ever have been recommended ; and the events of 

 the cases in which it has been given have sufficiently proved the 

 futility of the practice. I once gave half a pound to a healthy 

 dog, and though made to stand upright on his hind legs for ten 



