PRECIPITATE, RED — QUICKSILVER. 147 



sometimes used to stop bleeding ; but no- 

 thing of this sort should be depended upon 

 when the bleeding: is considerable. Pressure 

 being much more effectual. 



QUx\SSIA. A powerful bitter, and a good 

 medicine in cases of weakness of the stomach. 

 It is generally given in powder in doses from 

 two to three drams, joined with ginger, or 

 some other stimulant, and a small quantity 

 of soda or potash. 



QUICKLIME. (See Lime.J 



QUICKSILVER, or Mercury. The most 

 useful of all the metals for medical purposes. 

 In its metallic state, it is inert, but when 

 combined with oxygen, or any of the acids, 

 it becomes extremely active; and though 

 one of the most valuable articles of the Ma- 

 teria Medica, requires considerable skill and 

 experience to be employed with advantage. 

 The most simple preparations of quicksilver 

 are, mercurial ointment, ^Ethiop's mineral, 

 and cinnabar. These may be employed 

 with little danger : they seem, indeed, jto be 

 of very little use as horse medicines, except 

 the ointment, which is a good external ap- 

 plication ; and in human medicine a very 

 valuable preparation. The more active 



H 2 



