MERCURY. 3jg 



The mode of administering mercury, for the cure of the venereal 

 disease, under all its forms, is now ascertained with sufficient preci- 

 sion. There is no advantage in giving it so as to induce profuse 

 salivation ; this is even to be avoided as hurtful ; at the same time 

 it is proper that salivation should be excited to a certain extent, 

 not probably as essential to its efficacy, but as a proof of its full 

 action on the system being obtained ; this is to be kept up for a 

 certain time, longer or shorter, according to the state of the symp- 

 toms, and the previous continuance of the disease. Exposure to 

 cold is avoided, as being liable to cause the more partial operation 

 of mercury on the salivary glands ; and the state of irritation is dimi- 

 nished, or determination to the intestines producing purging is 

 obviated, by the exhibition of an opiate. When profuse salivation 

 occurs, the remedies employed to check it are cathartics in mode- 

 rate doses, small doses of opium, the application of a blister to 

 the throat, and the administration of the sulphuret of potass ; the 

 last being employed from the doubtful hypothesis, that its chemi- 

 cal agency may neutralize the mercury. Free exposure to a cool 

 air is, according to the observations of Mr. Pearson, more effectual 

 than any other method. When the morbid irritation from the 

 action of mercury rises too high, producing a state of exhaustion 

 which sometimes proceeds rapidly to an alarming extent, the admi- 

 nistration of the remedy must be immediately suspended ; and in 

 this case, also, exposure to a cool atmosphere is advantageous."* 



The various forms under which mercury has been employed 

 medicinally are very numerous ; they may, however, be reduced 

 to five classes : — 1 . The pure metal, (which has been absurdly 

 exhibited with the view of operating mechanically in cases of 

 obstructed bowels.) 2. Its combination with oxygen. 3. Its com- 

 bination with sulphur. 4. Its combination with chlorine. 5. Its 

 combination with acids. 



Oxides oj Mercury. 



There are two oxides of mercury ; the protoxide, which is of a 

 black or dark-grey colour, and consists of 200 mercury -f- 3 oxygen ; 



* Murray's System of Materia Medica, vol i. p. 200. 



