Subchloride of Mercury. Calomel. Mercurous chloride. HgCl. Trituration.
Clinical
Catarrh. Condylomata. Conjunctivitis. Deafness. Diarrhoea. Eustachian tube, affections of. Gastromalacia. Meningitis. *Peritonitis, *plastic. Prostatitis. Throat, sore.
Characteristics
*Mere. dulc. Is responsible for a large amount of the mercurialization of the past and for some of the present. As a comparatively mild and slow-aching form of mercurial, it has none of the corrosive effects of the per chloride, but it has all the power of the metal in it nevertheless, and it has had its own share of disasters. For constipation and any affection which could be ascribed to the liver, blue pill was at one time about the only recognized remedy. Some homoeopaths have adopted a modification of this by prescribing *Mercurius dulc. ix in two-or three-grain doses as a direct purgative. But as *Mercurius dulc. has caused both constipation and diarrhoea, it is probable that the action is roughly homoeopathic. The Schema is made up for the most part of toxicological and clinical symptoms, though a proving of potencies has been made. It is especially scrofulous children who are liable to remittent bilious attacks who are benefited by *Mercurius dulc. The keynote of *Mercurius dulc. in this as in other complaints is *pallor: “pallid as a corpse,” and with this a “flabby bloatedness” of appearance. Pale, scrofulous children who have swelling of cervical and other glands. Skin flabby and ill nourished. Another leading feature of *Mercurius dulc. is inflammation with plastic exudation. I have seen *Calomel in old-school practice rapidly resolve and cure a violent meningitis, with wild delirium, in a girl of five. In this case there was probably plastic exudation on the membranes. Plastic peritonitis. Gluing up of Eustachian tube with catarrh. Scrofulous inflammation in general and particularly of the eyes. Soreness round anus is a leading indication in many affections when it occurs as a concomitant.
Relations
*Antidoted by: Hepar Compare: In stringy stools, Sul-ac. Catarrhal inflammation of middle ear, Kali-m. Eustachian tube closed, deafness of old age, Kali-m.
SYMPTOMS.
Mind
Agitated. Apprehensive.
Head
Heaviness across forehead. Falling off of hair.
Eyes
Gummy secretion on edges of lids, later, smarting and indistinct vision. Eyes: red, dry, photophobia. Symptoms worse after exercise, and when heated from exercise. Scrofulous ophthalmia. Ciliary blepharitis.
Ears
Deafness, occasioned by a swelling, which compresses Eustachian tube. (Deafness of old age.) _ Scrofulous otitis. Itching in external meatus. Sudden fluttering in left ear for a few moments.
Nose
Violent epistaxis. Dry, crusted nostrils. Sore right nostril.
Face
Face flushed. Pallid as a corpse. Swelling of cheeks. Exfoliation of lower jaw and death.
Teeth
Violent burning in teeth, teeth become bare, shake and fall out, gums swollen and bleeding when touched.
Mouth
Difficulty to open mouth. Ulcers in mouth, bleeding throughout night. Aphthae on tongue. Salivation sometimes with haemorrhage. Flow of horribly fetid, dark saliva, which attacks lips and cheeks, tongue and whole mouth have black appearance.
Throat
Excessive ulceration of throat. Difficulty of swallowing.
Stomach
No appetite. Urgent thirst. Vomiting. Weight and pain at epigastrium.
Abdomen
Violent pain in abdomen, griping, tenderness. Bloated, hot, painful abdomen (gastromalacia).
Stool and Anus
Diarrhoea, with vomiting. Stools: watery, greenish, coppery green, like chopped eggs, grass-green, stringy, mucous, bloody, dysenteric, black with great epigastric oppression, sinking. Constant disposition to stool. Obstinate constipation. Rectum: burning, tenesmus. Soreness round anus. Condylomata round anus.
Urinary Organs
Urine increased (2nd d.), diminished (3rd, 4th, and 5th d.).
Male Sexual Organs
Acute inflammation of prostate, after suppressed gonorrhoea, burning, pressing pains, intense dysuria, urine scanty. Stinging and itching just back of corona glandis.
Female Sexual Organs
Broad, moist, burning condylomata around external genitals, perineum and anus, of exceedingly offensive smell.
Chest
Great oppression in chest and in region of heart.
Limbs
Trembling of hands and feet.
Upper Limbs
Rheumatic stiffness and catching pain in muscles of legs and knee-joints. Cramps in calves at night.
Skin
Desquamation of skin, especially of hands and feet. Phagedenic ulcers, with white bases, and painful and inflamed margins, in mouth, palate, face, genital and other parts. Copper-coloured eruption.
Fever
Feverish heat, profuse nocturnal sweat, tearing pains in limbs, prostration of strength, and trembling. Fever, sometimes hot, putrid.
