USES OF MERCURY AND ITS SALTS 165 



able, however, that mercury preparations are chiefly absorbed as albu- 

 minates and even metallic mercury is oxidized, when in contact with tlie 

 tissues, and absorbed. Small doses of mercury apparently increase the 

 nutrition and weight of healthy animals and also the hemoglobin and red 

 corpuscles. Mercury is sometimes called an antiphlogistic, as it has been 

 supposed to combat the efEect of inflammations. A part of this result may 

 be attributed to the antiseptic action of the salts of mercury in the in- 

 testines by preventing fermentation and absorption of toxic material. 

 For want of a better term to explain the beneficial actions of mercury on 

 the tissues, that vague term "alterative" is frequently applied. Mercury 

 (and calomel in particular) is diuretic, by stimulating the secreting cells 

 of the kidneys, or relieving splanchnic engorgement by catharsis. 



Elimination. — ^When mercury is given continuously it accumulates in 

 all the organs and is eliminated very slowly, mainly by the cecum and 

 colon (after its absorption), but also by the kidneys, liver, salivary 

 glands, and, in fact, by every conceivable channel. In thus stimulating 

 the eliminative activities of the various glands, mercury has been termed 

 a deobstruent. It has been surmised that its alterative effect depends, in 

 part, upon this action in stimulating — to use the old term — the emunc- 

 tories. 



Summary of Actions of Mercury and Its Salts. 



External. — Antiseptic, germicide, irritant, caustic, parasiticide, anti- 

 pruritic and sorbefacient. 



Internal. — Antiseptic, purgative, antiphlogistic, alterative and diu- 

 retic (calomel). 



Uses of Mercury and Its Salts. 



Hydrargyrum cum creta. is similar to calomel in its effects, but very 

 much milder, unless it contains the black oxide of mercury, when its 

 action is much intensified. The same may be said of massa hydrargyri. 

 Either preparation may be given dogs as a laxative in indigestion with 

 vomiting and diarrhea; or to foals and calves (in milk or gruel) with 

 intestinal indigestion and diarrhea, particularly if accompanied with 

 jaundice. The oleatum or unguentum hydrargyri are rubbed into the 

 skin to cause resolution of chronic inflammatory swellings, and also to 

 kill animal and vegetable parasites. As the former action is due to ab- 

 sorption, large quantities will lead to poisoning when applied over an 

 extensive surface. We can use other and safer remedies, as creolin, tar 

 or sulphur ointment, for parasiticides. One should not employ an amount 

 of blue ointment greater than 1 ounce for the larger animals; 3 drams 

 for sheep; and 2& to 40 grains for dogs. Blue ointment is commonly 

 diluted with 3 or 4 parts of lard. It is to be remembered in this connec- 

 tion that grease alone will kill lice and other parasites on the skin. On 

 account of their sorbefacient properties, the oleate and blue ointment of 

 mercury are applied over chronically enlarged glands, swollen joints, 

 and thickened tendons. In view of their parasitic action, these prepara- 

 tions are employed to kill the fungus of favus and ringworm, and to 



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