MERCURY 
AND ITS 
PREPARATIONS. 
A PHARMACOLOGICAL AND THERAPEUTIC STUDY, 
ACCORDING TO THE PRINCIPLES OF 
HOMCEOPATHY. 
/ BY 
EDWARD HUBER, M.D., Vienna. THE NORTH AMERICAN JOURNAL. 
429 
PROSPECTUS 
OF THE 
THIRTY-FOURTH VOLUME 
(Volume XVI of the New Series) 
OF THE 
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THE NORTH AMERICAN JOURNAL. 
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431 
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THE NORTH AMERICAN JOURNAL. 
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of the 
Journal Publishing Club, MERCURY AND ITS PREPARATIONS. 
113 
Hussdorf thus describes mercurial rheumatismus: In the first 
stage pains in the joints of the extremities when using them, 
aggravated by pressure. Their seat is in the perichondrium 
where the muscles are inserted, and the pains migrate in all 
directions; in the second stage hydropic exudation takes place, 
especially in the knee-joint; the swelling is painless; by and 
by the muscles are attacked and become painful to pressure. 
Concomitant symptoms are: palpitation of the heart; frequent 
pulse; horripilations; great malaise; sleeplessness; crepitus 
articulorum. There is also a rheumatismus vagus, emanating 
from the sensory nerves. When at rest we find suhsultus 
tendinum frequently over a whole extremity. 
Merc, sol.: The left axilla is considerably higher than the 
right one, although it did not enlarge laterally; with pains 
waking him from sleep, especially during motion; terrific 
stitches in the shoulder-joint in the evening; a cracking sound 
in the axilla and elbow-joint; a kind of twitching in the 
axilla every quarter of an hour; tearing in the right shoulder- 
joint, the upper arm and corpus, in the knee and hip-joint 
and in the thigh-bone; in the axilla pain as if something 
was pressing downwards; tearing in the elbow-joint; slow, 
tearing stitch in elbow; red, very hot swelling of the left 
elbow, extending down to the hand, with burning, tearing 
pains and crawling sensation as from ants; burning in the 
elbow-joints; stitches in the elbow; in the joints of the hand a 
painless hammering; painful stiffness of the joints of the right 
band; loss of power and paretic sensation in the joints of the 
left hand, with stitches and cracking therein; the left wrist is 
swollen and painful when moving it and seizing anything 
hard; painful stiffness of the hand; considerable swelling of 
the left hand; tension in the whole hand; drawing pains in 
the hands with coldness of the fingers; in the morning the 
fingers go asleep, with buzzing in the fingers, afterwards tear- 
ing, extending to the middle of the forearm; painful swelling 
of the posterior knuckles; tearing here and there in the finsrer- 
joints; aching pain in the middle joint of the middle finger 
when bending it; a pressing pain in the middle joint; stitches 
in the right liip-joint when walking; the leg is quite stiff 114 
MERCURY AND ITS PREPARATIONS. 
when walking; the knee-joints are painful when lying down, 
as if broken; slow tearing stitch in the right knee when sitting 
or walking; tearing in the knee-joint; simple pain in the right 
knee and as if it were stiff; in the knee-joints paroxysms of 
painless hammering; when walking out stitches in the knee- 
joints; sensation of stiffness in the left leg, extending to the 
bend of the knee; violent pressure under the ankles and in the 
tarsal joints superiorly, rendering walking difficult; violent 
swelling of the right tarsal joints with stitching pains in the 
joint, especially when walking and in the evening; pain as if 
sprained in the right tarsal joint; painful slow drawing in the 
right tarsal joint, below the outer ankle, extending to the 
hollow of the sole of the foot and commencing with stitching 
and griping (cracking in all joints); in the joints paroxysms 
of painful hammering; arthritic pains in the joints with swell- 
ing of them; nearly uninterrupted pain in the joints, as if 
sprained, compressed and mashed, so that he cannot rest on 
any place; he has to move his limbs continually to all sides. 
The following symptoms point to contraction of limbs: Con- 
traction of the fingers of both hands, especially the thumb, 
which is clenched, as in'epilepsy; without aid he is only able 
with great exertion to stretch the fingers two-thirds, the hands 
trembling all the while; painful cramps in the fingers and 
hands, first the fingers become stretched, making the bending 
difficult; after bending them the cramp contracts the fingers; 
sensation as if the bend of the knee were too short; spasmodic 
drawing up of the legs; they remained contracted the whole 
night, although he wished to stretch them. Hence we see that 
Mercur. suits acute rheumatism as well as rheumatic, dyscratic, 
etc., inflammation of single joints with serous exudation and 
even suppuration. 
(a) Inflammation of solitary joints.—Kafka gives in scrofulous 
inflammation of joints Merc. sol. (Bryon., Arnica, Sulphur), 
when the inflammator3T symptoms have passed, but the joints 
are still swollen, their functions disturbed and exudation re- 
mains; also in the second stage of coxitis, when the affected 
limb is elongated, every movement, by which the surfaces of 
the respective joints come in contact one with another, very MERCURY AND ITS PREPARATIONS. 
115 
painful; the patient limps; exudation has already taken place, 
with a simultaneous inflammation of the cartilages of the 
periosteum and of the hone itself. He gives Mercur. or Iodum 
internally, and externally Ungu. cin. 5i, Axung si, to prevent 
rapid absorption of the exudation in order to prevent its evil 
influence on cartilage and bone. During the third stage, when 
the extremity appears shortened and the exudation causes 
spontaneous luxation, Mercur. or Iodum are still the remedies 
indicated. 
Bcehr remarks in acute coxitis: Where the symptoms of sup- 
puration are clearly present, Mercury remains our mainstay. 
In the second stage of chronic coxitis purulent destruction 
takes place, if not prevented by Mercury, especially in scrofu- 
lous individuals. In tumor albas genu, when the affection 
begins in the bone, with great painful ness and but little swell- 
ing, Mercury is in place and still more so, where suppuration 
threatens. Mercur. and Sulphur correspond more to that form 
where the swelling is very hard and of little circumference. 
In inflammation of the ankle, emanating from the bone, Bellad. 
and Mercur. are indicated. 
Hughes recommends Mercur. in chronic rheumatic synovitis; 
Merc. corr. in painful ulceration of the cartilages of the joints. 
Helmuth prescribes Mercur. in synovitis, complicated with 
syphilis, with drawing pains and stiffness of the parts affected, 
especially where we meet profuse sweats and nocturnal exacer- 
bations; also in scrofulous inflammation of the joints and ul- 
ceration of its cartilages, with purulent or serous infiltration. 
In the first stage of coxitis, when the patient complains of 
pains in the knee, we may begin with Bellad. in alternation 
with Mercury. 
Hirschel found Merc. sol. very useful in the first and second 
stage of coxalgia; as we nearly always find then nocturnal 
exacerbations. 
CL Midler remarks: In recent cases, where the head is not 
yet pushed out of the acetabulum, Bellad. and Mercur. act 
beneficially. 
(6) Acute Arthro-rheumatismus.—We find in Kafka: Where 
fever and articular pains are moderate during the day, but be- 116 
MERCURY AND ITS PREPARATIONS. 
come aggravated at night, especially in bed; where simultane- 
ously the joints are very red, the epiphyses greatly enlarged, and 
where in the synovial capsules, e. g., of the knee, ankles and 
elbow, a soft exudate is present, very painful to pressure, with 
profuse, sour smelling, not alleviating perspiration, great thirst 
and scanty urination, the urine being highly saturated, where 
the patients are not allowed a moment’s rest in spite of the 
increasing pains on every motion, we apply Merc, sol.3 in trit- 
uration, a dose every two hours, till decided amelioration sets 
in, which usually happens in 24 to 86 hours. 
Btxhr remarks: Many a syphilitic patient, treated with Mer- 
cury, sutlers terribly from rheumatism, a fact showing us clearly 
its great remedial power in rheumatic affections. It suits 
more acute and subacute rheuma than chronic cases, according 
to the symptoms: high fever, very quick and hard pulse, co- 
pious and foul smelling perspiration, excessive thirst. The 
local swelling is of less degree, but rather painful, very red, 
with threatening suppuration; it does not easily change its 
location, and where other joints become affected the former 
swelling still remains very painful; the breath is foul; the 
tongue heavily coated; all appetite gone; food causes nausea; 
copious sudamina on the skin; the pains increase every evening 
towards midnight from the slightest effect of cold air ; whereas 
strong external heat diminishes them. It is especially suitable 
where frequent relapses take place. Indications in muscular 
rheuma are: The nocturnal exacerbation and deep-seated pain 
as if the periosteum were attacked, with great sensitiveness to 
slight or severe pressure. Mercur. takes a front rank for the 
complicating inflammations of internal organs, as in carditis, 
pneumonia, pleuritis, meningitis. 
(c) Chronic Articular Jlheumatismus.—Kafka uses Merc, sol.3 
for the absorption of the exudation in the synovial capsule and 
in the cartilages of the joints; when the affected joints ciack 
during motion, with the usual mercurial aggravations. 
Hughes recommends Merc. cor. and sol. in low potencies, in 
chronic articular rheuma with profuse, non-alleviating sweats 
and nocturnal aggravations. 
Helmuth prescribes Mercur. for continual changes between MERCURY AND ITS ' PREPARATIONS. 
117 
cold and heat, or for internal heat with continual horripilations 
on the affected parts, which are continually moved about on 
account of the internal malaise, or on account of the drowsy, 
tearing pains. 
Diseases of the Muscles. 
All authorities agree that not only abuse of mercury, but 
also relatively small doses may produce rheumatic muscular 
pains. 
We find in Merc. viv.: severe pains through the whole body, 
exacerbating at night (12, 13); tearing pains in the abdominal 
muscles (47); severe pains in the abdominal muscles (47); 
stitching, pinching pains in different parts of the body (24); 
tearing in the extremities (33); tearing in the extremities, 
especially in the arms (35). 
Merc, sol.: Tearing in the right cheek; tearing in the left 
cheek, extending to the ear; bruised sensation to the touch in 
the left chest; violent tearing pains in the muscles of the chest 
towards the left axilla; tearing pain at the coccyx, diminished 
by pressing it to the abdomen; griping pain in the small of the 
back, especially when standing, somewhat diminished when 
walking; bruised sensation in the small of the back; pain in 
the small of the back diminished when sitting; a stitching 
pain in the small of the back and thighs, so that he has hardly 
any power there and in the knees and feet; fine stitches close 
to the false processus spinosi of the os sacrum; sharp stitches, 
as of needles, in the spine between the shoulder-blades; fine 
and coarse stitches in the dorsal muscles when walking; tear- 
ing pains in the back when sitting; the back pains as from 
bruises; when walking in the fresh air a bruised sensation in 
the left side of the back, as from frequent stooping, for several 
days ; burning pains in the right shoulder up to the neck when 
sitting; burning between the shoulders down the back; be- 
tween the shoulders, where the neck begins, when turning the 
head or the whole body (when lying) severe pains, aggravated 
by lifting, so that he compresses his teeth; tearing in the 
shoulder-blades; a crampy pain under the shoulder-blades 
during motion, at midnight in bed; a bruised pain with stitches 118 
MERCURY AND ITS PREPARATIONS. 
and tension in the left shoulder-blade, so severe when turning 
the head that he weeps and screams (soon after waking up in 
the morning); burning pain when sitting in the right shoulder 
up to the neck; stiffness of the neck with stitches when mov- 
ing it. Rheumatismus in the neck like a pressure even at rest, 
mostly when bending the head backwards; neck stiff and 
swollen, so that he can only turn it with difficulty; painful 
stiffness of neck and sensation of heaviness, he can hardly turn 
it; twitching, tearing in both upper arms; soreness of the 
muscular fibres to the touch; burning in both arms, so that 
everything drops from his hands and the arms hang down; the 
right arm and hand as if asleep, relieved by motion; tearing 
in right arm (inside); a dull, stitching pain in the right lower 
forearm in all positions; a dull, stitching, crampy pain in all 
positions in the muscles of the left lower forearm; boring pain 
in the right glutaei; burning in the glutaei; pain in the right 
thigh as if bruised, aggravated by touch and by walking; a 
stitching, tearing in the muscles of the right thigh in all posi- 
tions; a tensive pain in the right thigh when sitting; drawing 
pain in the anterior surface of the left thigh; bruised sensation 
in the right thigh; drawing and heaviness in the legs; when 
walking in the fresh air stitching, tearing in the muscles of 
the right thigh; paroxysmal tearing from the great toe to the 
knee; tearing in different parts of the body; tearing here and 
there in the extremities, more in the muscles, aggravated by 
the touch; twitching and tearing in the extremities here and 
there; tearing pains in the hands, back and chest, with head- 
ache; nocturnal drawing pains in extremities; the whole body 
feels bruised, especially the thighs, for many days; lassitude 
with tearing, drawing pains in both thighs, after midnight in 
bed, when getting up; when stepping about pain in the in- 
guinal region down to the knee as if the anterior muscles of 
the thigh were torn away; he does not feel tired when sitting, 
but greatly when moving about ever so little, especially about 
the legs, as if he had walked great distances. 
Merc, ssubl. corr.: Pains in all extremities (41). From Buch- 
ner’s symptoms: fine stitching pains here and there in the 
muscles during the day; a tensive pain exteriorly next to the MERCURY AND ITS PREPARATIONS. 
119 
left scapula; repeated tearing in the left shoulder; tearing in 
the arms to the bone, especially at night when she awakens; 
peculiar relaxed sensation in the deltoids; itching, contracting 
pain in the muscles of the right metacarpus; stitching pains 
in the dorsum of the hand, especially in the adductor and ex- 
tensor pollieis and in the extensors of the foot; could not sleep 
at night on account of the burning and stitching from the left 
inguinal ring to the thigh ; stretching the foot out ameliorates; 
sensation as if clasps were loosened from the lower region of 
the musculi recti; rheumatic pains as from the insertion of 
needles in the feet; stitches in the muscles of the lower ex- 
tremities; peculiar sensation of relaxation in the calves and 
muscles of thighs; tearing on the inside of the left calf. 
DISEASES OF THE SKIK 
Hermann ascribes to mercurial skin diseases the following 
characters: (1) The affection of the skin is commonly of a 
higher grade, the pustule, the vesicle, the nodule. (2) Its color 
is mostly coppery on any part of the body, and, according to 
duration, lighter or darker; (3) the seat from the beginning to 
its full development is not limited to any part particularly; (4) 
they have a decided tendency to ulceration, and thus form the 
bases of the so-called secondary syphilitic ulcer of the skin, 
which ought rather he called a serpiginous one (5). Treated 
with Kali hydrojod., which is here specific, Mercury is shown 
by electrolysis in the urine and other secreta. 
(a) Pruritus—Itching. 
Merc. viv.: Erythema with violent itching and burning (4, 
5, 6); heat and itching on the whole body, especially on the 
face and eyelids, with swelling of the integuments (10); itching 
on the thighs (11); skin swollen and inflamed, partly itching, 
partly without sensation (11). 
Merc, sol.: Itching on the forehead; burning-itching on the 
forehead and scalp; itching-tearing in the neck and hairy 
scalp; itching and burning on the hairy scalp day and night; 
eruption on the head, itching so violently that he has to 
scratch; violent itching on the right side of the nose, he has to 120 
MERCURY AND ITS PREPARATIONS. 
rub it; stitching-itching of the abdomen in the evening, burn- 
ing after scratching, no eruption on the head; itching when 
walking, at the os sacrum; itching on the hack, in the evening 
in bed; titillating-itching on the left side of the back, so that 
he has to scratch; burning-itching and heat over the whole 
back, mostly when taking the fresh air; itching at the right 
shoulder-blade; itching at the left elbow; corroding itching on 
the back of the head in the evening in bed, passing oft' after 
scratching, but soon returning; titillating, stitching, itching on 
the inside of the lower joint of the thumb of the right hand, 
so that he has to scratch; in the evening itching of the lower 
extremities; itching relieved by scratching on the inside of the 
thighs, causing small elevations; itching on the thighs; stitch- 
ing-itching in the skin of the thighs, waking him after mid- 
night; itching of the legs; itching between the toes, especially 
in the afternoon and evening; itching in the joint, as from 
scabies, worse in the evening and night, but without any visible 
eruption; unbearable stitching-itching, as if from flea-bites, in 
the evening; violent itching all over the body, so that she has 
to scratch much at night, with great redness and heat of the 
face. 
Kafka gives Mercur. in pruritus: burning, stitching-itching 
from warm air, heated rooms, especially from the warmth of 
the bed; when perspiration breaks out; or when going to bed, 
undressing—continuing the whole night and disturbing sleep. 
Itching of the glans, external labia, and between the toes. 
Hughes recommends for pruritus Mercur. internally and ex- 
ternally. 
Jahr recommends Mercur. for an acridity, showing itself at 
the anus, genital organs, etc., and itching violently. 
Merc. subl. corr.: Itching over the whole skin, which feels 
dry (56). Buchner: Itching on different parts of the skin (scalp, 
thighs, etc.), changing frequently to fine stitches, and burning; 
itching, burning, stitching, immediately under the skin; itch- 
ing passing into fine stitches in the centre of the back, as if it 
were in the skin; she awakes at 1 a.m., with such a violent 
itching of the scalp, that she not only scratches herself with the 
nails, but also with her comb. MERCURY AND ITS PREPARATIONS. 
121 
Cinnabaris: Itching of both eyelids; itching over the body 
and on the corners of the eyes; for two days unbearable itching 
at the corners of the eyes; violent itching in the right ear; 
itching on the left side of the face; itching in the palm of the 
right hand; itching on the right wrist; violent itching on the 
inner surface of the thighs and knees, especially of the latter 
and at night; severe itching and stitching on the inner surface 
of the knee; worse at night and before getting up in the morn- 
ing; sensation of soreness at the ankle, accompanied by heat 
and itching over the whole thigh ; violent itching of the anus, 
worse at night in bed ; itching on different parts of the body in 
the fresh air; from time to time itching over the body. 
(6) Burning, Titillating, Stitching. 
Merc, viv.: Erythema with violent itching and burning (4, 
5,6.) 
Merc, sol.: Burning on the left temple; burning on the left 
side of the forehead, passing off after touching it; burning and 
itching on the scalp; burning in the hand, the cheek and chin; 
burning hot sensation over the whole back (burning in the soles 
of the feet in the evening); herpes, causing burning when 
touched; violent titillation in the palm of the left hand, so that 
he has to scratch; a tine titillation in the right palm, necessi- 
tating scratching; stitching and itching on the skin of the 
thigh, rousing him out of his sleep at 3 a.m. 
Merc, corr.: Skin very hot and stitching; burning and red- 
ness of the skin; itching on different parts of the body, increas- 
ing to tine stitching and burning. 
1. Hyperemia of the Skin, Erythema. 
Merc. viv.: Erythema with severe itching and burning (4, 5, 
6); general erythema with desquamation (11). 
Merc. sol.: Itching eruption of the head, necessitating scratch- 
ing (?) dry eruption of the whole head, feeling sore to the 
touch (?) 
Calomel: Erythema of the whole body (7); severe burning of 
the reddened skin (8); erythema (9). 
Cinnabaris: Redness of the skin, as of a chronic eruption. 122 
MERCURY AND ITS PREPARATIONS. 
Kafka considers Mercur. of first importance in erythema from 
acrid secretions. Bcehr praises Merc. viv. or sol. highly for the 
chafing of infants. Hughes also recommends them in intertrigo, 
when the affected parts become raw and painful. Guernsey, 
where the excoriation is worse at night, very raw and bloody, 
preventing the sleep of the child. 
2. Anomalies of Secretion. 
Sebaceous Glands. 
Hypersecretion of the - sebaceous glands is not mentioned 
among the symptoms of Mercur., still we know that all glandu- 
lar secretion is increased, especially of the perspiratory glands. 
We find in Merc, sol.: At night a kind of fatty or oily perspi- 
ration, making the linen stiff and yellow, so that it can hardly 
be removed by washing; small, elevated, firmly adhering 
crusts on the hair of the head; crusts on the scalp, itching and, 
after scratching, burning. 
Kafka saw great benefit from Merc, sol.3, where the sebum 
is secreted in large quantities on the head, so that the hair be- 
comes matted, with severe itching and heat of the scalp; in se- 
borrhoea of the fossa coronaria with hypereemia of the glans or 
prepuce. He also gives Merc, corr.3 internally, and applies a 
weak solution externally (one grain to three ounces water). It 
is also useful in seborrhcea of the female sexual organs. 
JDieterich describes the mercurial hyperidroses, saying: The 
skin is at first very hot, followed hy copious perspiration all 
over the body, especially over the chest, continuing uninter- 
ruptedly for 24 to 30 hours, then gradually decreasing, so that 
toward the close of the second day the skin feels only moist. 
Thirst excessive; the perspiration of a foul odor, between flat 
and putrescent. The patient then feels exhausted and tired. 
There remains a great tendency to perspire; even when only 
eating a warm soup the skin gets in abnormal action. Persons 
with chronic mercurialism suffer often from frequent perspira- 
tion. Laborers in Hg. with habitual mercurialism, suffer from 
b. Perspiratory Glands. MERCURY AND ITS PREPARATIONS. 
123 
nocturnal perspiration, which often continues for a long time 
afterwards. 
Mere, sol.: Cold sweat of anguish in the face, with great ma- 
laise for one-fourth of an hour, followed by diarrhoea; towards 
morning cold, sweaty feet; he has to lie down in the forenoon 
on account of itching and heaviness of the thighs, with copious 
sweating of the face and of the whole body; frontal perspira- 
tion in the fresh air; copious-perspiration when walking; per- 
spires from the least motion; perspiration when drinking some- 
thing warm; sleeplessness and vigilance at night up to 3 a.m., 
followed by sweat before falling asleep; he does not sleep be- 
fore midnight, and awakens early in the morning, when it is 
still dark, with some sweat; he wakes up during the night and 
perspires only on the legs, from the knee down to the soles, not 
on the thighs or soles; by putting the feet out of the bed, the 
perspiration disappears immediately. Sweat causing a burning 
sensation in the night; day and night greatly inclined to sweat, 
still more at night; copious perspiration all through the night, 
from the evening to the morning; foul-smelling perspiration for 
many nights; copious night-sweat; violent sticking sweat, so 
that the covering and matress are soaked through ; sweat on 
the face and chest; frequent cold sweats on face, the other body 
being dry; excessively copious, sour and disgustingly smelling 
sweat, softening, as it were, the fingers, and rendering them 
spongy and wrinkled, as in washerwomen; sour smelling sweat 
and when she puts a foot out of the bed, severe tearing in it; 
sweat every evening for half an hour after lying down; copious 
perspiration in the morning, with thirst, nausea and vomiturition 
and excessive palpitation of the heart; perspiration in daytime 
with nausea; copious perspiration at night in bed, he falls 
asleep sweating; copious night-sweats; sweat in the palms of the 
hands and soles of the feet; sweat at night on some parts of 
the body and dryness of other parts, the sweating places are 
not over six inches in circumference, but there it is trickling 
down; head and face dry. Immediately after eating, anguish 
with sweat on the face and forehead, which appears to him of 
icy-coldness; she has to go out, before the sweat disappears 
with dyspnoea and stitches in the right side close to the ribs. 124 
MERCURY AND ITS PREPARATIONS. 
Merc. subl. corr.: Skin cold, covered with sweat (27, 29, 33); 
copious night-sweats (61); sweat and sensation of coldness (3); 
cold sweat (34); night-sweat (20). Buchner: Skin covered with 
cold swTeat of anguish; sweat under the left axilla, then gen- 
eral, when he awakes at night from sleep; sweat at night (Van 
Swieten)'; sticking sweat towards morning; moderate sweat 
during the night when he is awake. 
Merc, prcec. rubr.: Skin cold, covered with sweat (1); night- 
sweat (1); cold, clammy skin, especially of the extremities (4). 
Cinnabaris: Chilliness in the morning, with sweat under the 
arms; profuse sweat between the legs, worse towards noon. 
Characteristic of sudor mercurialis are therefore: Sweat foul- 
smelling, sometimes cold; cold sweat with anguish (Merc, corr., 
but also other preparations); partial sweat, most frequently on 
the face and chest, especially at night and in the morning, 
during motion or w7hen drinking something warm. It is indi- 
cated for profuse, foul-smelling sweat, based on tuberculosis, 
scrofulosis, etc., or where other symptoms suggest mercury, and 
the patient is not relieved by the sweat. 
Jahr: Frequent night-sweats, the perspiration setting in as 
soon as his head touches the pillow; he perspires easily in day- 
time from the least exertion or motion; partial sweat on the 
head, face, genitals; weakening, not relieving, oily, fatty, 
clammy, sour or foul-smelling perspiration, staining the linen. 
3. Inflammation of the Skin. 
a. Erythematous Inflammation. 
«. Urticaria. 
Frank and Kussmaul observed urticaria in laborers with Ilg. 
Merc, sol.: Urticaria, changing after two days to red spots; 
eruption of red, raised spots, itching and stitching. 
Cinnabaris.: At night severe itching on both shoulders, red 
streaks appearing after scratching; small red elevations, itch- 
ing unbearably till he goes to bed. 125 
MERCURY AND ITS PREPARATIONS. 
/?. Erysipelas. 
Merc. viv.: Stens observed a febrile erysipelas in a patient, 
who rubbed mercurial ointment around bis hemorrhoidal tu- 
mors. Kussmaul observed erysipelas in workers on looking- 
glasses (10). We also read in our cases: heat and itching over 
the whole body, especially on the face and eyelids, with swell- 
ing and inflammation of the integuments (probably Stens’s 
case). Erysipelas antebrachii (34). 
Merc. subl. corr.: Vesicular erysipelas (14, after external ap- 
plication), the arm up to the shoulder was excessively swollen, 
red and covered with vesicles (6, after ext. use). 
Merc, dale.: The whole skin very red and somewhat swollen, 
worse on head and neck, which appear livid (7). 
Merc. sol.: The right side of the face swollen, especially under 
the eye, and hot; great swelling of the left cheek; the 
nose, especially on the left side, is swollen, very red and shin- 
ing, with itching of the nostrils; inflammatory swelling of the 
nose; top of the nose swollen, red, inflamed, itching. (Comp, 
eczema.) 
Kafka gives Merc, sol.3 (or Jod.3), a dose every two hours, in 
erysipelas verum combined with cellulitis. 
JBcehr: Where suppuration threatens, we can hardly ever pre- 
vent it with Mercur., and it is better to have immediately re- 
course to Hepar. lie recommends Mercur. where there is great 
pain and the erysipelas not seated on the face. 
Guernsey gives it in erysipelas syphil. of infants. 
Jahr mentions Mercur. in phlegmonous, scarlet colored, 
secondary erysipelas, but does not mention it in that of the face. 
Hartmann: Erysipelas neonatorum is based in most cases on 
a syphilitic or herpetic dyscrasia. During the first few days of 
infantile life there appear red spots, especially between the 
thighs, on the scrotum and inguinal region, at first pale red, 
but soon of a more intense color, forming a kind of intertrigo, 
with a disagreeably smelling exudation and easily suppurating; 
spots of a deeper redness soon appeared on other parts of the 
body, especially on the abdomen, near the umbilicus, etc., tak- 
ing on more and more an erysipelatous character, and extend- 126 
MERCUR!” AND ITS PREPARATIONS. 
ing to places alreacfy affected; diarrhoeic fermented stools and 
high fever are now added to it. Mercur. corresponds to such 
a state, and no other remedy can he compared to it. It ought 
to be given in alternation with Sulphur3’, where the mixed her- 
petic dyscrasia is clearly proven. 
Quin recommends Mercur. for erysipelas bullosum. 
Hirschel recommends it in suppurating erysipelas, and In ery- 
sipelas neonatorum with suppuration. 
Goullon, jun., cured with three doses of Calomel an erysipe- 
las faciei with typhoid symptoms after the failure of Bellad., 
Bryon. and Rhus. 
Comparing the manifestations of Calomel, found under ec- 
zema, we easily understand its indications in grave forms of 
erysipelas (typhus, meningitis, etc.). 
b. Phlegmonous Inflammations—Furuncle, Vhlegmon, Pana- 
ritium. 
Kussmaul observed phlegmon and furuncles on different parts 
of the body, also several times panaritia in workers on mirrors, 
suffering from habitual mercurialismus. Other authorities 
have seen the same from the internal as well as external use of 
Hg. 
Merc, sol.: Pimples and small boils on shoulder-blades and 
abdomen; small sores on the finger-joints, which are somewhat 
ulcerated; a boil on the left upper thigh painful to the touch 
and when walking; many ulcerating sores from small pimples 
on the left leg, remaining open for 8-10 days, and healing by 
exfoliation of the skin. 
For 'phlegmon: Digging up pain along the ball of the right 
little finger on the outside, worse during rest; (when standing) 
a digging pain in the right sole; great swelling of the heel, so 
that she can hardly stand with burning and gnawing pains in 
the whole foot; he could not keep his foot in bed; for pana- 
ritia: burning twitching under the nail of the thumb, when 
writing; boring pain at the first joint of the third toe at rest 
and during motion; burning pain under the left big toe (when 
resting). 
Kafka uses Merc, sol.3 in phlegmonous inflammation of the MERCURY AND ITS PREPARATIONS. 
127 
skin, when, in spite of cold applications, the pains, the heat and 
the tension increase in the inflamed parts, with no fever and 
total sleeplessness. 
Bcehr: Where the furuncule is very extensive, and the cellu- 
lar tissue highly inflamed with high fever, and the boil will 
not come to a head, a few doses Merc, viv., to be followed by 
Hepar, will hasten the cure. 
Kreussler expects much from Mercur. in panaritia, where the 
inflammation is seated in the cellular tissue, between skin and 
sinews; in the sheath of the sinews; in the sinews, and in the 
joints connectings the phalanges. 
But cutaneous inflammations are only caused by Mercury 
after a protracted action of the drug on the organism; it does 
not influence the idiopathic process; hence we cannot expect 
much from it in such affections. In A'ndrien’s experiments the 
Merc, bijod. caused small boils on different parts of the body, 
and thus perhaps this preparation might be here preferable. 
c. Vesicular Inflammations. 
Pearson, Bartels observed them after mercurial action. 
d. Herpes. 
Merc, sol.: On the inside of the wrist-joint blisters full of a 
watery fluid; transparent blisters, containing a small quantity 
of watery fluid, on different parts of the body, early in the 
morning; pimples below the vermilion border of the lower lip, 
with stinging pain when touching them, more towards the cor- 
ner of the mouth. 
Cinnabaris: Red, herpetic (?) spots on the forehead, especially 
over the right arcus supraciliaris; two small red spots on each 
side of the glans, secreting a large quantity of a lardaceous 
mass (Herpes prteputialis). 
Kafka does not consider Mercury a remedy for herpes; still 
he finds it indicated by the burning pains, preceding the break- 
ing out and course of herpetic forms, and in zoster refers lo the 
accompanying neuralgia. 
Bcehr remarks on zoster that Mercury may counteract the 
formation of new vesicular groups. 128 
MERCURY AND ITS PREPARATIONS. 
Jahr mentions Mercur. only as a remedy of secondary rank ; 
it may even aggravate a herpes pneputialis. The different 
forms of herpes, as phlyctenoides, circinnatus, zoster, find 
mostly their chief remedy in Mercur. and Sulphur. In zoster 
he relies on Mercur. 
Trinks gave to a patient, suffering from zona, Mercur.3 and 
received the report that the disease yielded more rapidly than 
at any other time. Ifo// also cured several cases of zona in 
nine days with Mercur. Eobethal considers Mercur. the only 
remedy which rapidly removes the burning pains of zona and 
considers it specific. 
Eczema Mercuriale Symptomaticam.—A few days after the 
inunction with mercurial ointment the patient feels a trouble- 
some itching at the places of friction. The skin takes on a 
pink color, interspersed with white spots, as the redness is com- 
posed of many irregular plaques. The redness disappears at 
pressure, but returns with the cessation of it. The skin feels 
burning hot. After ten to twelve hours the examining finger 
detects small insignificant elevations on the reddened surface, 
and under the microscope we see quite small but closely stand- 
ing vesicles. On the second day the vesicles become more 
raised, so that they can be seen with the eye filled with a 
yellowish lymph. With the appearance of the vesicles the 
itching ceases. On the third day they sink in, dry up, and by 
the fifth day bran-like desquamation takes place. Where the 
Ilg. acts more powerfully the symptoms are also more pro- 
nounced, the skin darker, the vesicles larger, nearly pustular, 
and the patient has fever. Whereas at the place of inunction 
the vesicles always appear first, we soon find similar red spots 
in the groins, inner surface of the thighs, scrotum, even on the 
chest. The skin desquamates in pieces. Some consider such 
a state caused by a peculiar idiosyncrasy, and it may last three 
to four weeks. 
Eczema Mercuriale Criticum (Plumbe, Dieterich, Falke), first 
stage.—After a febrile prodrome the patient feels an itching, 
crawling in the skin, extending over the greater part of the 
y. Eczema. MERCURY AND ITS PREPARATIONS. 
129 
body, but especially severe in the bend of the joints, at the 
inner surface of the thighs, in the inguinal region, pubic region 
and under the axilla. The second stage begins with rawness 
of the skin of the affected parts, followed by an exanthema 
simulating measles. On the second day the rawness is in- 
creased, the small spots become confluent and form red patches 
of different size and form, with vesicles of the size of a pins- 
head, standing closely together and surrounded by a red halo. 
On the third day the parts of the body, which are usually more 
exposed, are also covered with vesicles containing a transparent 
fluid; whereas those on the thighs and groins become dull and 
milky. On the fourth day many burst, and the affected sur- 
face is covered with an exudation of a viscous fluid, smelling 
disagreeably, penetrating and stiffening the linen. On the 
fifth day desquamation in large pieces follows. The inner 
surface of the thighs as well as the inguinal region, the scrotum 
and the edges of the axilla are sore and covered with the same 
fluid. Every attempt to change position is excessively painful 
to the patient. The pulse is weak and quick, the tongue 
slightly coated, debility, but appetite is not diminished. It 
runs a tedious course, as the eruption is apt to reappear on 
places where a new cuticle had shown itself. Such an eczema 
is idiosyncratic and takes the place of salivation. 
What Dieterich and Falke calls impetigo, maybe considered 
as eczema impetiginosum: The skin begins to swell and expand, 
so that the features can hardly be recognized, and the eyelids 
closed. The swelling goes over the whole body, the temperature 
increases and the pains are severe. First in the pubic region, 
then on the chest, appear dark pinkish spots of different .sizes, 
of irregular borders, confluent, on a smooth surface and vio- 
lently itching. Large vesicles arise upon them, which subside 
at about the fifth day with a bran-like desquamation; about 
the ninth day the itching continuing during its whole course, 
whereas they appear at first only at the sternal region, they 
spread gradually over the whole chest, appear also on the arms, 
calves and inside of thighs. Sometimes we find bull* instead 
of the vesicles, which burst and discharge considerable fluid. 
After eight to ten days, exfoliation of the inflamed skin in 130 
MERCURY AND ITS PREPARATIONS. 
large pieces takes place. It may happen that the cuticle comes 
off in one piece, as e. g., on the hand like a glove. After the 
casting off of the cuticle, peculiar, fishy-smelling, lymphatic 
and purulent exudations take place on the inflamed skin, 
which dry up to crusts, covering deeply ulcerated surfaces 
where the exudation continues. The upper part of these crusts 
become gradually withered and whitish-grey and fall off in 
scales. This process of dying off externally and of regeneration 
of the crust from below may repeat itself continually. Finally, 
also the skin on the hairy parts of the head, beard and eye- 
brows become dry, rough, fissured, and white, bran-like scales 
fall off' in large quantities, a'opecia follows (with the exception 
of the cilia), and also the nails on hands and feet fall off'. In 
some cases misformed nails may grow and the skin also remains 
rough and scaly. It differs from syphilitic eruptions by the 
coppery color of the latter and their painless progress, also by 
the appearance of new syphilitic symptoms after the exanthema 
has run its course. 
In our cases of poisoning all forms and stages of eczema are 
found. 
Mire. viv.: (4) eczema vesiculosum and squamosum; (5 and 6) 
eczema impetiginosum; (10) eczema squamosum; (11) eczema 
acutum in all stages; (25 and 27) eczema from the vapors of 
II g. 
31erc. subl. cr>rr.: (1) Eczema vesicolosum squamosum, an ex- 
quisite case; internally given we never meet cutaneous affec- 
tions, as in large doses the manifestations of the mucous mem- 
branes appear more in the foreground. Hahnemann’s proving 
gives* us the symptoms: painless blisters on the arms and ab- 
domen in the morning, which pass off during the day. 
Calomel.—Eczema vesiculosum squamosum (8). Duncan and 
Alley observed eczema from two grs. Calomel. 
Merc. sol.—In Andrien’s experiments we find eczema and the 
Materia Medica gives us: small, raised, firmly adhering crusts 
between the hair of the head, itching and burning after scratch- 
ing. Moist eruption on the hairy scalp, eating away the hair 
with painful pressure, especially at the sore places; eruption 
near the corners of the upper lip with yellow crusts, with a MERCURY AND ITS PREPARATIONS. 
131 
smarting, burning pain; under the chin yellow crusts quarter 
of an inch thick; nearly painless eruption on both thighs in 
the evening, preceded by heat in the head, and itching in the 
dorsum of the feet; a burning water oozing out after scratch- 
ing, as when one pours brandy into a wound; after itching, 
about midnight, sweat on abdomen and thighs, all without 
thirst. Eruption on the legs, sexual organs, bend of knees, 
neck and abdomen, red, sore, humid, itching, considerably ele- 
vated and on several places looking like fatty scabies; a place 
swelled up and a grey flat crust formed upon it, after which 
swelling and pain ceases. 
Cinnabaris causes eczema according to the experiments of 
Andrien. 
An extensive eczema was observed after the internal use of 
Merc. oxyd. nigr. and application of unguent, cinereum. Al- 
though the inunction produces most frequently the eczema, 
still we cannot put the whole blame on the local irritation, as 
the eruption is also observed on places far from the eruption, 
during internal use, in laborers and provers of Hg. 
Kafka.—Merc, sol.3 in acute eczema with humid vesicles, 
with heat and burning of the affected parts; oedematous swell- 
ing, e. g., of the eyelids, of the penis, ear, scrotum, etc.; simul- 
taneous swelling of the cervical glands; sleeplessness, restless- 
ness in the evening and first part of the night. Where no 
amelioration is seen in a week the remedy will be better dis- 
continued. lie gives Merc, sol.3 (Rhus tox.3) for chronic capil- 
litic eczema; the groups of vesicles discharge continually a 
fluid, matting the hair together and causing a burning-itching. 
In obstinate cases it may be advisable to give Merc. pnec. rub. 
internally and externally. Chronic eczema behind the ear and 
copiously discharging improves quickly under Merc, sol.3 (or 
llepar); crusty eczema behind the ear, at the lobe of the ear or 
on the concha require at first the removal of the crusts and 
then Merc, prcec. rub., which also acts well in crusty eczema 
of the nipples, with fissures and rhagades, also in chronic 
eczema rubrum umbilici, externally (1 gr. to 2 drachms fat). 
Chronic eczema on the dorsum of the penis improves under 
Merc, sol.3, two doses daily; but where we find sore, horizon- 132 
MERCURY AND ITS PREPARATIONS. 
tally running streaks, it is better to combine the internal and 
external use of Merc, prsec. rub., especially where there are also 
rbagades and fissures. (Ruseberg prefers Merc, bijod. in such 
cases.) In chronic eczema of the extremities the indications 
are the same as in capillitic eczema. In eczema, caused by dirt, 
sweat, etc., and where cleanliness and anointing with fat does 
not suffice, he gives to the children Calc. carb. or Merc. sol. 
Hughes considers Hg. specific for eczema rubrurn, as it is pa- 
thologically identical with eczema mercurialis, and expects also 
some benefit in eczema impetiginosum. 
Jahr gives Mereur. for the impetiginous eczema on the hand 
and fingers and of the ears. 
Marsten finds it indicated in eczema of the lower extremities; 
Blake in vesicular eczema, although it does not cure every vesi- 
cular eruption; Guernsey, where we meet also salivation and 
scorbutic gums; Cl. Muller considers it the chief remedy in ec- 
zema, especially of the extremities, and here again most fre- 
quently on the lower ones. Sulphur alone could be compared 
to it in value, still he prefers Mereur. as long as there are no 
complications. Even where there was already considerable in- 
filtration, and the patient was unable to take the necessary 
care of himself, Mereur sufficed in many a case for a cure; but 
where there is considerable swelling and a varicose state, he 
prefers Sulphur. For the capillitic eczema (tinea capitis), found 
so frequently in children as eczema impetiginosum, with swell- 
ing of the lymphatic glands, Mereur. is less sovereign. In 
complication with impetigo or real ulceration, he gives Mereur., 
especially in impetigo on and behind the concha auris, some- 
times also Sulphur. Both remedies are also indicated in ec- 
zema scroti. Mereur., in fact, suits every eczema, except the 
papular, especially those running an acute or subacute course. 
Where Mereur. fails in chronic cases after a week or so, it is 
no use to expect anything from it. All mercurial preparations 
act well in eczema; least perhaps the corr. Merc, bijod. is 
preferable for rhagades, and Merc. viv. in chronic and less 
humid cases; Merc. sol. in all the common forms. MERCURY AND ITS PREPARATIONS. 
133 
d. Bullous Inflammations. 
Fourcroy mentions the case of a bullous exanthema in a 
gilder. In the case of poisoning with Hg. oxyd. nigr. and 
Ung. ciner., No. 1, we see bullse on an inflamed basis, not on 
normal skin as in pemphigus. 
Wolfsheim observed from Merc. corr.: Burning and redness 
of skin, a bulla forms containing a yellowish serous fluid, rais- 
ing the cuticle, and after being lanced, drying up with scaling 
of the epidermis. Bcehr mentions Hg. in pemphigus. He saw 
in Vienna a case of pemphigus in a nurse, who for several 
years attended the syphilitic wards, and who had rubbed a 
large quantity of mercury with her hand. 
Scliellivg cured a case of pemphigus with Merc. sol. We 
have to rely here on general symptoms rather, as Hg. does not 
give the characteristic symptoms of pemphigus. 
e. Pustular Eruptions. 
Pustular eruptions, caused by mercury, are mentioned by 
Herrmann, Jussein (in Almaden), Alley (8 cases which ended 
fatally), Girtanner, Gardane, Stoll, Fleury, Hacker, Kahleis, 
Acherson, etc. Van Chersante described small-pox-like, cop- 
per-red pustules, on the face of a gilder, suffering from tremor. 
Dieterich’s impetigo we mentioned in eczema. He also 
describes a phydracia mercurialis, differing from acne syphi- 
litica, that the nodules appear on hairy parts with violent 
itching, of a dark pinkish color, and remaining thus for years, 
whereas acne syphilitica appears everywhere on the skin, 
causes no itching, is of a more coppery color, and does not last so 
long. The latter attacks first the chest and the forehead, more 
rarely the extremities, whereas in the former it is just the 
opposite. 
In Calomel we see in No. 6 great pustules over the whole 
body with ulcerations, but this case might have been compli- 
cated with syphilis. But in No. 9 Calomel caused pustules 
over the whole body, which dried in (showing great similarity 
to small-pox). 
Cooper witnessed after Merc. corr. pustules on the forehead. 134 
MERCURY AND ITS PREPARATIONS. 
Andrien observed in liis experiments with Merc, bijod. hard- 
ened pustules (in 12 provers) once, the proving being made 
with the third decimal trituration. 
Merc, sol.: A very painful pustule on the nose; on the chin a 
pustule full of pus, of the size of a pea; small-pox-like eruption 
immediately above the anus, with pressing pain when sitting; 
a small red boil with red tip on the gluteus, with a stitching 
pain in it; pustules on the upper and lower limbs, the tips of 
which are filled with pus, with itching: small itching pimples, 
afterwards changing to ulcers, during the healing of which the 
surrounding skin peels off; round stigmata on the thighs and 
legs; gradually changing to round, ulcerated spots, and becom- 
ing finally covered with a scurf. 
Kafka uses Merc. sol. and Merc, prrec. rubr. for pustular erup- 
tions. In acne disseminata he gives Merc. sol. where the papu- 
lar form prevails, the inflamed follicle remaining at the acme 
of inflammation, without passing into suppuration, forming a 
bluish-red stigma, which, after detumescence, becomes covered 
with small scales, and gradually decreases in size. 0{'sycosis 
he says: We cut away the hair of the beard, of the eyebrows, 
of the axillre and mons veneris, extract with fine tweezers the 
hairs which penetrate the stigmata, pustules, or crusts, soften 
the crusts with oily applications, prescribe internally Merc, 
prsec. rubr.2, a dose morning and evening, and apply the red 
precipitate ointment over all sjmotic spots, at least twice a day. 
As often as fresh stigmata or pustules arise, the hairs must he 
again extracted, which manipulation ought to be nearly pain- 
less; and continue the external and internal use of red precipi- 
tate, till all stigmata and pustules have disappeared and no new 
ones make their appearance. 
According to Bcehr, Mercur. acts well in infantile impetigo 
of the face or hairy scalp, where the impetigo has a very red 
base (eczema impetiginosum). In ecthymre Tart. stib. is prefer- 
able to Mercur. 
We learn from the impetiginous eczemata and pustular erup- 
tions, caused by mercurial inunctions and the internal use of 
Calomel, that these two preparations may be considered chief 
remedies for the rare, but frequently fatal eruption, which MERCURY AND ITS PREPARATION'S. 
135 
Hebra calls impetigo herpetiformis, and which so far has been 
exclusively observed in women during pregnancy or puer- 
perium. 
f. Squamous Inflammations of the Skin. 
Tn Hahnemann's proving we find the following symptoms: 
Skin dirty-yellow, rough and dry; reddish-white, rough, her- 
petic spot on the left malar bone; burning, corrosive, humid 
and itching pimple on the right lobule, having a scaly appear- 
ance like herpes, which he has to scratch; the left arm, especi- 
ally the elbow, is covered with small, red, not inflamed eleva- 
tions, the tips of which become white, scaly and itching; they 
burn when scratched; herpes on the right forearm, round, the 
skin peeling off, with voluptuous itching, and lasting 18 days; 
large, red, round, scaly spots, with burning pain, one inch in 
diameter, on the forearm and wrist; herpes on the posterior 
surface of the thigh, painful when scratched, and the epidermis 
coming off* when scratching, for 30 days; herpes, causing a 
burning when touched; dry, elevated, burning-itching herpes 
over the whole body, especially extremities, arms, joints of the 
hand even between the fingers; rhagades, as they appear in 
psoriasis, especially on the flexor surfaces of the extremities, 
palma man us and planta pedis and on the face. Merc. sol. has 
fissures and rhagades of the corners of the mouth; deep fissures 
in the fingers, looking sore and bloody at their base; the 
fingers look as if they had a cut, especially on the inner surface ; 
a deep fissure, like a cut, between thumb and index-finger, 
bloody and painful. 
Hence we may conclude, that squamous eruptions only arise 
from the action of small doses; sometimes after a few doses of 
Merc. sol. or Merc, viv., the only two preparations which mani- 
fest such symptoms. 
Whereas Bcehr and Kafka fail to mention Mercur. in 
psoriasis and pityriasis, Ilaghes witnessed good effects from 
Mercur. in recent affections of the hands, and even in chronic 
cases it will act beneficially, though we may need Arsen, to 
finish the cure, where this is possible. 
Jahr praises Mercur. in psoriasis infantilis and syphilitica. 136 
MERCURY AND ITS PREPARATIONS. 
Cl. Muller considers Mercur. to correspond fully in its skin 
symptoms to psoriasis, although it must be admitted that the 
usual and characteristic Ilg. exanthemata fail to show the spe- 
cialties of psoriasis. After giving the usual squamous symp- 
toms he adds: The parts of the skin remaining unaffected by 
impetigo mercurialis, become rough, dry, somewhat fissured, 
and continually desquamate white, bran-like leaflets, especially 
on the hairy scalp, beard and eyebrows, but the face escapes. 
The occurrence of psoriasis in syphilitic organisms is an argu- 
ment in favor of mercury; but even where such a complication 
was not present, I have witnessed good effects from Mercur., 
alter the fruitless use of’ Arsen., or where the latter produced 
only a temporary amelioration. This most frequently happens 
in cases where the lower extremities are especially affected. 
He uses mostly Merc. sol.; in rare cases, Merc, prsec. rubr. 
g. Papular Inflammations of the Skin. (Lichen, Prurigo). 
In Case 25 we find that Mercur. caused a papular eruption 
on the back. 
Merc, sol.: Under the skin of the left cheek a large tubercle; 
heat and redness of the lobule which is excessively painful. 
Two days afterwards a tubercle forms in the left lobule which 
lasts twelve weeks; the left arm, especially the elbow, is cov- 
ered with small, red, not inflamed elevations, the tips of which 
become white, scaly and itching, they burn when scratched; 
small pimples on the inner surface of the thigh, itching and re- 
lieved by scratching; small efflorescences on the inner surface 
of the thighs. 
Merc. sail. corr.—Knorre speaks of a fine red eruption over 
the whole head {A. H. Z., 19, 283). Trousseau observed a pap- 
ular exanthema on the calves, similar to lichen agrius. 
Cinnabaris: Stinging-itching of the neck and chest, with 
swelling of the cervical glands; red points and spots on those 
parts changing to hard little blotches, with burning and in- 
creased itching after scratching. In the morning a red papular 
eruption without itching on both elbows, worse on tbe left. 
Whereas Kafka does not mention Mercur. in lichen, he says 
of it in prurigo, that Merc. sol. corresponds to most of the MERCURY AND ITS PREPARATIONS. 
137 
symptoms, and during the first stage of development he found 
the use of this preparation beneficial in children as well as in 
grown persons. Efflorescences, arising spontaneously from 
some unknown cause and causing violent itching during the 
night and becoming pale red in consequence of the scratching 
and rubbing, become paler and smaller after five to six days 
and the itching diminished so rapidly that after six to eight 
day8 sleep was fully restored. The efflorescences either re- 
mained in statu quo without causing any further disturbance 
or passed off entirely. In old cases other remedies are required. 
Cl. Muller gives in prurigo Mercur. (or Ant. crud.), when 
complicated with eczema, impetigo and ecthyma, both reme- 
dies also in prurigo genitalium. Inasmuch as the phydracia 
mercurial, mentioned by Dietericb, has great similarity with 
Lichen pilaris, we may try it whenever the indications corre- 
spond. 
In prurigo and lichen scrofulosorum Cinnab. may act in some 
cases better than Merc. sol. 
4. Lupus. 
Lupus is a cutaneous neoplasma; Mercur. never produces 
such and therefore cannot be indicated. But Merc, bijod. 
causes tubercular formations in the skin and especially when 
caused by syphilis it may find its place in the treatment of 
lupus tuberosus, and other mercurial preparations may be used 
in lupus exedens to restrict the ulcerative process. 
According to Kafka, where syphilis is suspected, the proto- 
iodide of Mercur. 2d or 3d (or Nitr. ac.2) may be given for some 
time in an ascending scale. Jahr mentions Mercur. here among 
the remedies of the third order. Cl. MiiUer has sometimes 
witnessed beneficial results from Arsen, and Mercur. but they 
failed entirely in other cases. In one case, where the affections 
already lasted ten years and where the left eye, the nose and 
upper lip were totally destroyed and the lower lip partially, 
the destructive process was stopped by the use of Mercur. 138 
MERCURY AND ITS PREPARATIONS. 
5. Cutaneous Ulcers 
In Hahnemann’s case of poisoning with Calomel cutaneous 
ulcers were found on several places. Poisonings with Merc, 
corr. run too rapid a course and hence ulcera are out of the 
question. Simon observed from Merc. cyan. (3) ulcera with 
diphtheritic deposit around the anus. We find in Merc, sol.: 
Red ulcers of the size of a millet-seed on the right side of the 
chin, painless when touched; suppurating, small, red ulcers on 
the left side of the knee, painless; gnawing-itching ulcers on 
the outer side of the right thigh, necessitating scratching; 
small, itching pimples, afterwards changing to ulcers, during 
the healing of which the surrounding skin peels off; dropsical 
persons lost their swelling, in the place of which fetid ulcers 
made their appearance on the legs, which became speedily 
putrid. Symptoms suggesting chancre are: A number of small 
red vesicles at the termination of the glans behind the prepuce, 
changing to ulcers, which burst and discharge a yellowish- 
white, staining, strong-smelling matter; afterwards the larger 
ulcers bleed and when touching them a pain is felt in them 
which affects the whole body; they are round, their edges, 
which look like raw flesh, overlap the ulcers, the base of which 
is covered with a cheesy lining; burning around the glans in 
the evening, afterwards vesicles on the inner surface of the 
foreskin, which soon form little ulcers, healing rapidly. 
Kafka says in the therapy of the inflammatory ulcer: We 
give Bellad.3, a dose every hour where the pain is severe, the 
secretion scanty, and the swollen, red and hot periphery of the 
ulcer surrounded by blisters; or Merc. sol. (or Rhus) where the 
secretion is acrid and corroding, producing an eczematous erup- 
tion at the edges and in the neighborhood of the ulcer. Where 
the ulcer takes on an inflammatory character in consequence of 
cold, or where it is very painful, Mercur. is indicated. Where 
in necrotic ulcers numerous worms or maggots are present, ir- 
rigation is necessary for their removal, or where this does not 
suffice, Aqua Merc. corr. (1 gr. to 3 ounces distilled water). 
Ilalfort thus describes the mercurial ulcer, hence also the in- 
dication of Mercur.: The ulcers usually arise from ati ecthyma- MERCURY AND ITS PREPARATIONS. 
139 
pustule from wounds, scars or ulcers of another character; they 
have irregular, not sharply defined, slightly elevated edges, an 
irregular indented form, a dirty grey base (as if covered by 
blotting paper) and are surrounded by a red halo, bleed easily 
and are not very sensitive. They heal easily in one place, to 
break open again in another. Scrofulosis in ulcers is another 
indication for Mercur. 
6. Syphilis of the Skin, 
Where syphilis is the cause of the already treated papular, 
squamous, pustular, bullous, ulcerous, cutaneous affections not 
treated by Mercur , we have one more indication for this drug, 
and Merc. sol. or vivus will mostly suffice. In condylomata 
we use Merc, cyanat., in tubercles and rhagades of the skin 
Merc, bijod. 
We have only still to consider the macular syphilides and 
rupia. Keller, Hermann, Halfort observed macular eruptions 
in workers with Idg., and numerous cases could be mentioned 
where they appeared after the internal and external application 
of mercurials. 
Merc. subl. corr. (61): Over the whole body an eruption of 
pale red, apparently elevated, roundish maculae, disappearing 
by pressure of the fingers, not sharply limited and itching; in 
some places they become confluent, like rubeola. 
Merc, sol.: Red spots on the face; eruption of red, elevated 
spots, itching and stitching. In Andrien’s provers: red spots 
with small maculae at the upper and lower extremities and on 
the trunk, not on the face, with severe burning-itching. 
Whereas Hermann considers rupia the exclusive product of 
hydrargyrosis and the representative of mercurial eruptions, 
Hebra considers it caused by syphilis. At any rate we know 
that Mercur. produces pustules which become incrusted and 
may try it in rupia, if not caused by large doses of the drug. 
Kafka recommends Merc, bijod., internally and after softening 
and removal of the crusts Merc. corr. externally. Hughes says: 
If it is true that rupia appears rarely in syphilis, not maltreated 
already by large doses of Mercur., the latter may become a 
useful remedy for the simple form. 140 
MERCURY AND ITS PREPARATIONS. 
Eruptions of secondary syphilis yield best to Cinnabaris; the 
tubercular syphilide of tertiary syphilis is amenable to Mtrc. 
bijod., especially where there are also ulcera faucium and broad 
eondylomata. Where the tubercles are already exacerbated 
(lupus syphiliticus) and the eondylomata show fissures and 
ulcers, Merc, prcec. rub. may be prescribed internally as well as 
externally, and if no amelioration sets in it is advisable to 
change to Merc, bijod. Squamous syphilis does not need Cin- 
nabaris as long as there are no ulcers in the folds of the skin, 
but as soon as fissures or ulcers appear we use red precipitate 
internally and externally. 
Bcekr uses Cinnabaris, Merc. jod. and bijod. in syphilitic 
skin affections. Andrien gives Merc, bijod. for syphilides with 
indurated bases, or with ulcers with callous edges. 
Gerson recommends Merc prcec.rub. for that form of syphilides 
where one solitary place, especially on the extremities, papular 
eruptions form of a brown-red color which burn and itch, have 
a doughy feeling, burst and form ulcers of the size and form 
of half an apple. These ulcers are mostly circular, have only 
slightly elevated edges, a lardaceous base, secreting pus abun- 
dantly. He also uses it in lupous and impetiginous syphilides 
where ulceration takes place under the crusts, showing the 
characteristic symptom of chancre which so closely indicate 
Merc, prcec. rub. 
Merc, bijod. corresponds to those syphilides whose chief ele- 
ment is the nodule, and whose especial form is tire elevated, 
round herpes. He also recommends this preparation for a pe- 
culiar form of’ tertiary syphilis, appearing exclusively on the 
scrotum. Without any general discoloration or inflammatory 
irritation of the scrotal skin, we find deeply penetrating indu- 
rations of the size and form of a struma, on whose surface con- 
tinual desquamation takes place; so that the denuded surfaces 
look like raw flesh, on which thin diphtheritic exudations 
form. These places itch and burn violently, and whereas some 
pass off, new ones reappear. This is a very obstinate, painful 
syphilide, but it will yield readily to Merc, bijod. 
Espanet prefers Cinnabaris for the vesicular form, for isolated 
vesicles and patches on a reddish base; for the red, erysipela- MERCURY AND ITS PREPARATIONS. 
141 
tous tumors on the cheeks and eyelids; for the plaques muqueu- 
ses, the inflammation of the nose with copious secretion, and 
with simultaneous vesicular affection of the lips. Calomel suits 
especially the abscesses of the anus; Merc, bijod. the nodosities, 
indurations and tubercles; Corrosivus the obstinate cases, the 
cachectic state, the destructive ulcerations and the red spots, 
migrating from one place to another; Merc. nitr. intertrigo and 
excoriations; Merc. viv. and sol. the non-syphilitic zona, even in 
preference to Arsen., Graphit., Caustic, and Phosphor. In pso- 
riasis he prefers Merc. corr. to Oinnabaris. 
Syphilis is frequently combined with alopecia, a symptom 
also found in Hg.; even Kussmaul found it in workmen on 
mirrors. We meet the same symptom also in case 34 and 35, 
from Merc, viv., and in Merc. sol. we read: The hair comes out 
without any headache, and there is exfoliation of the finger- 
nail; the nails of the fingers and toes ulcerate with itching. 
7. Parasites of the Skin 
Scabies.—Small, internal doses of Ilg. will not destroy the 
acarus; we need for that purpose the external use of Sulphur. 
Still we meet indications for the use of Hg. even in Virchow's 
Pathology and Therapy, I, 471, where he says that it depends 
greatly on the soil on- which the sarcoptes flourishes, inasmuch 
as in some cases these parasites may pass through their whole 
development in man, fructify, deposit their eggs, and give birth 
to a new generation, without our meeting a trace of scabies. 
Mercur. also produces all those cutaneous eruptions which are 
produced in scabies by the irritation of the parasite and by 
scratching. A large dose of Hg. might therefore render tl e 
soil suitable for the development of itch, and small doses cor- 
respond therefore to scabies in a twofold manner. We find, 
furthermore, the itching in places, free from the furrows made 
by the sarcoptes, and there also the efflorescences caused by the 
scratching. 
Kafka gives in Sulphur-eczema, caused by the heroic treat- 
ment of scabies, Merc. sol. 2 or 8 doses a day, especially when 
they become obstinate, secrete copiously, and itch so terribly 
that the sufferer is forced to scratch. Blake considers theoreti- 142 
MERCURY AND ITS PREPARATIONS. 
cally Mercur. far more indicated in scabies than Sulphur, inas- 
much as the characteristic eruption of Sulphur is papular, hut 
scabies more vesicular; although we also find pointed tubercles 
mixed with the vesicles. The mere diagnosis of scabies fails 
to indicate Sulphur, and wherever we find vesicular eruption, 
Mercur. is certainly to be preferred. 
General Disturbances op Nutrition. 
1. Ancemia, Chlorosis. 
Headland's studies prove, that in chronic toxications with 
Iig. the blood not only becomes poorer in fibrine and albumen, 
but that it also loses one-third or more of its blood-corpuscles. 
We meet at the same time paleness of the skin, which is re- 
laxed, wrinkled and cold; the face is pale, sallow, the cheeks 
sunk in, the nose pointed. The visible mucous membranes are 
pale, and of a bluish, muddy-looking color. There is general 
malaise and lassitude; he feels always chilly; the feet become 
cedematous, whereas all other parts of the body are emaciated. 
Buzzing in the ears, vertigo, syncope, are frequent symptoms, 
also periodical attacks of pain. Dyspepsia, retarded stool, 
irregular and scanty menses, leucorrhcea, sleeplessness—in short 
all the symptoms of anaemia, as we find them after great losses 
of fluids, hemorrhages, and all the symptoms of chlorosis are 
again found in chronic mercurialism. 
Canstatt and Marshall Hall consider the so-called mercurial 
erethismus as an acute anaemia. Dieterich and Falk described 
it thus: after Hg. has been taken for some time, a chlorotic 
state of the body arises, with pale face, great restlessness, sigh- 
ing and yawning, lassitude, loss of power, and emaciation. 
Respiration frequent, chest oppressed with a sensation of con- 
striction, fluttering in the praecordia; pulse small, frequent, 
sometimes intermittent. With the progress of the disease the 
adynamia also increases with a steadily increasing sensation of 
anguish in the praecordia, of the sighing and yearning, of the 
beating and fluttering of the heart. The function of the latter 
in general becomes more irregular, so that during sleep the beat 
of the heart can hardly be felt externally. A gradually in- MERCURY AND ITS PREPARATIONS. 
143 
creasing tremor of tlie whole body is now added to the other 
ailments, especially of the fingers and corners of the mouth; 
desire for sour drinks; sometimes vomiting of food or mucus, 
of bile; diarrhoea oft'and on, of a green color, followed by con- 
stipation, even choleraic attacks; fainting spells, pale, collapsed 
face, sensation of coldness over the whole body, with excessive 
debility. Death frequently sets in very suddenly in conse- 
quence of the debility of the heart, when the patient exerts 
himself a trifle during a walk or at home; even rising up in 
bed may kill him. Bellows murmur has been heard in the 
carotids and veins of the neck. Hermann mentions twenty-two 
cases of anaemia in his one hundred and twenty-two patients. 
Kafka mentions Merc. sol. among the remedies for congenital 
anaemia, when the children do not wish to go to sleep; also for 
the anaemia of evolution, with copious salivation, chronic stoma- 
titis or gingivitis. 
Goullon, Jr., justly remarks: We are astonished that Mercur. 
is not more frequently mentioned as a remedy for chlorosis, as 
its pathogenesis in that disease is as rich as that of Calcar., 
Pulsat., Sulphur, Sepia, Platin. and others; many think of it 
only during the prodromal stage, 'which is one of scrofulosis. 
Still we find in Mercur. as chlorotic symptoms: disagreeable, 
metallic taste, loss of appetite; nausea, coated tongue, foul 
breath, loose gums, labored respiration, pressing, tensive sensa- 
tion in the prrecordia; abdominal restlessness, sleeplessness, las- 
situde, loss of strength, tremor of extremities, pale, sallow fea- 
tures, pale lips, blue rings around the lustreless, sunken eyes. 
All these symptoms are found in allopathic works, just as they 
give us also the poverty of blood-globules, the decrease of 
fibrine, serum and alkaline salts. We w'ould recommend 
Mercur. especially in protracted cases of chlorosis, appearing in 
connection with polyuria, profuse loss of fluids during suppura- 
tion ; sweating, salivation, hemorrhages, diarrhoea. We do not 
find in mercurialism an increase of the white blood-corpuscles, 
and leuctemia therefore excludes Mercur. 144 
MERCURY AND ITS PREPARATIONS. 
Sackowsky observed in rabbits after subcutaneous injections 
of 0.02 to 0.04 grammes of Merc, corr., that in twelve cases 
eight times the urine was passed in larger quantities, pale and 
transparent, containing more or less large quantities of sugar. 
In live cases the diabetes was so severe that two centimetres of 
urine during a fermentation of forty-eight hours and at a tern 
perature of 31° C. gave between 3 to 4 centimetres carbonic 
acid. This artificially produced diabetes lasted sometimes four 
to five days, in one case a whole week and the animals sur- 
vived. Two dogs were slowly poisoned by subcutaneous in- 
jections of 2 grain doses for thirteen or fifteen days; they 
emaciated fearfully and suffered for four weeks from violent 
diabetes. Calomel and Hg. jod. cause the same symptoms.— 
Virchow’s Archiv.f. Path. Anat., Vol. XXXVII. 
Kletzynsky observed in the hydrargyrosis of man an increased 
secretion of sugar in the urine. In their respective chapters 
we treated already the polyuria of Mercur. as also the furun- 
culosis and dryness of the skin. 
Jahr mentions Mercur. favorably among the remedies for 
diabetes, and Goullon remarks that Jousset failed to see any 
benefit in diabetes mellitus from Mercur. praec. rubr. As this 
mercurial preparation has never been proved, we have no strict 
indications for its use; yet it certainly makes some difference 
which preparation we use. Merc. sol. and dulc. have import- 
ant relations to the liver, and we may expect the same from 
the red precipitate. At any rate its administration was fol- 
lowed in one case by very large bilious stools; but it must be 
added that the patient took at the same time rhubarb and 
drastic pills. The patient had taken for his diabetes mellitus 
eight powders of Merc, price, rubr., each containing one-third 
grain. The cause of the disease was a fall from a great height, 
causing loss of consciousness, somnolent stupor; cerebral symp- 
toms with diminished frequency of pulse; all symptoms which 
Cl. Bernard produced by his piqure on rabbits. 
2. Pi"hetes Mellitus. 145 
MERCURY AND ITS PREPARATIONS. 
3. Scrofulosis. 
Hermann found in Ischia among 122 patients, fifteen grown 
persons suffering from scrofulosis. lie considers this disease 
endemic in Ischia and gives us the interesting fact that two 
children, born at a time when the parents worked in salt mines, 
were not scrofulous; whereas those born in Ischia suffered from 
it, although the parents enjoyed all the time excellent health. 
It is evidently the atmosphere at Ischia, impregnated with Ilg., 
which produces the disease. Hermann saw scrofulosis also in 
persons making barometers or working in looking glass facto- 
ries, where all the children suffer from it, whereas the parents 
suffer only from hydrargyrosis, and not from scrofulosis. 
Mayr, of Furth, witnessed frequent abortions or dead foetuses 
in pregnant women working in looking glass factories, and 
their infants, born alive, suffer from scrofulosis, rachitis, erup- 
tions and miasmus. Keller says that the children of such 
parents look and cachectic, showing clearly the scrofulous 
type and anaemia. Want of animal food and low, ill ventilated 
dwellings cannot be blamed for it, as the children of parents 
living; under the same circumstances, but having different 
labor, do not suffer in like manner. Schneider found in autop- 
sies of workers with llg. indurations of the lymphatic glands. 
Graves says that syphilitic patients, who take a large quan- 
tity of Hg , easily fall into a state of mercurial cachexia, look- 
ing exactly like scrofulosis. They exhibit emaciation, nutri- 
tive disturbances, irritability, fever, affections of the skin, of 
the lymphatic glands, of the periosteum. 
Having treated already of most of the affections, it remains 
only for us to study those of the lymphatic glands. Habershon, 
Guldbrand and Dietrich mention them in general, Mathias 
especially the bubo mercurialis, and Hunter the hypertrophy 
of the inguinal glands. Dietrich also witnessed from the in- 
ternal use of Merc. dulc. intumescence of the mesenteric glands. 
As the swelling of the lymphatic glands is caused by infiltra- 
tion with cellular elements, we see here again a part only of 
the general action of Mercury, showing us that this drug never 
produces a neoplasma, not even of connective tissue. 146 
MERCURY AND ITS PREPARATIONS. 
In Merc. viv. we find: Swelling of the maxillary glands (2); 
left submaxillary glands swollen (15); both (49, 50, 51); swell- 
ing of the glands of the neck and throat (25); submaxillary 
glands swollen, hard and painful (26); anterior lymphatic 
glands of the neck hard and large (34). In 25 we see that the 
children of a barometer manufacturer sutler and some of them 
die from scrofulosis. 
Merc, sol.: Painful swelling of the glands of the neck and 
ear, so that the jaws cannot be moved; stitching pains of the 
cervical glands, and symptoms 510 to 525 relating to bubo. 
Goullon justifies the use of mercurials in scrofulosis, as we 
know that they all modify the lymphatic system and produce 
in the whole organismus a state similar to scrofulosis. Hunter, 
Vigaroux, Samuel Cooper, JRicherand, Alibert, etc., show that 
persons exposed to the noxious influence of Ilg., frequently 
have scrofulous children. Without putting too much stress on 
the source of scrofulosis, as homoeopaths we should take note 
of such experience. 
Goullon mentions as manifestations of scrofulosis: Inflamma- 
tion of the glands with phlegmonous redness, swelling and 
pain ;• evening aggravation; blepharodenitis with ulceration of 
the cornea and photophobia; atrophia meseraica with debilita- 
ting diarrhoea and fever of dentition; coxalgia; coryza with 
copious discharge from the nose; panaritium in the inflam- 
matory stage; osseous affections; eczema, stomacace, otorrlioea. 
Kafka says of Merc, sol.: In eczema scrofulosum on and 
behind the ears, when the edge and base of the eczema is red 
and hot, the discharge copious, we give Merc, sol., two or three 
doses daily till we see a decided amelioration. Only then he 
allows the crusts to he softened with oil and applies the red 
precipitate ointment on the affected parts, continuing at the 
same time the internal use of Merc. sol. in acute coryza, in 
chronic coryza with purulent, blood mixed, foul-smelling dis- 
charge, or with dry crusts, or with ulcerating nostrils; we 
sometimes fail to see any benefit from Calcar, or Silic., and 
then Merc, prsec. rubr., internally and externally, is indicated. 
In acute swelling of the lymphatic glands Mercur. is indicated, 
when the gland feels hard, is not intensely red and not too MERCURY AND ITS PREPARATIONS. 
147 
sensitive to the touch (after Bellad.) and may be continued 
even when suppuration threatens, or when, without going into 
suppuration, the gland remains hard and painless (Bellad. or 
Coni urn). In scrofulous inflammation of the joints, after the 
removal of the inflammatory symptoms, in order to induce 
absorption (Bryon., Arnica, Sulphur). 
Bcehr considers as general anti-scrofulose remedies: Calcar., 
Arsen., Ferrum and Sulphur, and uses Mercur. where specific 
indications exist. We rather count it among the former after 
Calcar, and Sulphur. 
According to Lobethal Mercur. in general corresponds to the 
diseases of reproduction and vegetation, to those of the lym- 
phatic glands, the skin and the serous and mucous membranes; 
only secondarily to the blood and nervous system. It suits, 
therefore, the leucophlegmatic habitus, the bloated skin with 
tendency to cold and sweat. The fuller the reproductive 
power, the more depraved the nutrition, the slower the mental 
development from bodily weakness, the more Mercur. will be 
indicated; a remedy hardly ever suitable to the choleric or 
choleric-sanguine temperament with its dry skin and tense 
fibre. 
Espanet considers Mercur. not only to correspond to the 
glandular swellings and to the subacute phlegmasia of the 
mucous membranes, but also to the advanced stage with its 
night-sweats, colliquations, rapid emaciation, indurated or ul- 
cerated glands; encrusted and itching eruptions, especially on 
the hairy scalp; frequent and jumentous urine, lienteria, diar- 
rhoea, enlarged abdomen and rachitis. Merc. sol. or viv., in 
alternation with Sulphur, is useful in scrofulous indurations of 
the skin and cellular tissue. 
4. Scorbutus. 
Post-mortem examination of persons dying from scurvy, or 
from chronic poisoning with Hg., alike give us the following 
results: Extreme emaciation of the cadaver, moderate oedema 
especially of the lower extremities, a sallow color of the skin, 
which is covered with dry scales of the epidermis. Extrava- 
sations here and there in the cutis and subcutaneous cellular 148 
MERCURY AND ITS PREPARATIONS. 
tissue, the blood very fluid and dark; the endocardium and 
the walls of the blood-vessels strongly infiltrated (especially in 
corros.), serous or sero-fibrinous exudation in the cavities of 
the pleura, pericardium, peritoneum and in the articular cap- 
sules; the liver, spleen and kidneys full of ecchymoses, relaxed, 
full of blood and infiltrated with extravasated blood, ecchy- 
moses are even found between the serosa and muscularis of the 
intestines. 
We miss a characteristic symptom of scurvy in acute and 
chronic poisoning with Ilg., the tough, red infiltrations under 
the skin, between and in the muscles and in the periosteum. 
The latter have nothing in common with the gumma, as they 
are not a sequel of periostitis. 
Both have in common: Debility and lassitude, depressed 
mood, pale and dirty complexion; eyes sunken and surrounded 
by blue rings; tearing, stitching pains in the extremities, 
stomatitis, ecchymosis, hemorrhages from nose, lungs, kidneys, 
stomach and female sexual organs. 
Merc. viv.: Round, dark red petechim on the abdomen and 
lower extremities, hemorrhages from mouth, nose, eyelids, 
forehead, bloody urine (48). 
Merc, corr.: The cortical substance of the kidney full of 
small red points, towards the infundibula. Ecchymosis in the 
ovary (27), numerous reddish-grey, round ecchymotic spots, not 
disappearing by pressure, over the trunk and extremities; 
especially numerous in the small of the back (43); bloody dis- 
charge into the stomach (53); mucous membrane of the stom- 
ach inflamed, softened, discolored from the extravasated 
blood (57 and 59); ecchymosis under the serous membrane of 
the stomach (27); coagulated blood in stomach (28, 37); dis- 
coloration in the large curvature of the stomach, near the 
pylorus (34); ecchymosis in coecum, like hemorrhoidal knobs, 
more numerous near the anus (28); intestinal mucous mem- 
brane covered with ecchymosis (29); darkened spots on the 
inner surface of the duodenum (41); ecchymosis in the endo- 
cardium. We see thus that the corrosivus corresponds most to 
scurvy; while the Merc. dulc. is preferable where the gums 
are especially affected. MERCtJRY AND ITS PREPARATIONS. 
149 
Hydrops. 
A sequel of many diseases of the heart, lungs, liver, kidney, 
anaemia, etc. We have seen already that chronic hydrargyrosis 
produces dropsy, especially anasarca; without showing whether 
it emanated from the liver or kidneys (we may exclude heart 
and lungs), or whether the whole blood fnass became affected. 
Mercur. suits anasarca of the lower extremities, especially 
that arising from eruptive diseases, as scarlatina, or from hy- 
dremia. Inasmuch as Hg. also affects liver and kidney, and 
inasmuch as we already mentioned that in poisoning with 
corros. death ensues sooner than the possible appearance of 
dropsy, we consider the corros. indicated in nephritis and 
hydrops post scarlatinum.