Mercurius has been well proved. Its symptoms are chiefly objective.
1. Its only primary effects are on the vegetative sphere, which it affects in the highest degree, both quantitively and qualitatively. It alters the vegetation so deeply and thoroughly, that it assimilates itself, as it were, to the whole organism, decomposes and separates its organic constituents, and becomes itself a new element of the organism. Hence arises a new Mercurio-vital process, the natural vital process having given place to the operation of Mercurius. All other effects viz., upon the nervous system are secondary.
2. In the vegetative sphere, Mercurius attacks, first of all, the secretive and resorptive processes. (The increased absorption is not a secondary result of increased secretion. Absorption, as well as secretion, is primarily affected, as is shown by the rapid absorption of Mercurius by the external skin). It excites both of these processes to increased activity. The secretions are therefore, increased in quantity. They are altered in quality. This alternation has reference both to consistence and to intimate chemical composition. In consistence, they become thinner and more fluid; this effect distinguishes Mercurius from remedies otherwise analogous, but which thicken the secretions. (Hepar, Conium.) As to chemical composition, they become acrid and excoriating. This twofold alteration depends upon the peculiarity of Mercurius, already stated (1): in the first place, this plasticity of the secretions is diminished, and fluidation instead of coagulation is brough about; in the next, in the room of the displaced plastic materials, whole decomposition it effects, Mercurius insinuates and establishes itself.
3. Mercurius causes, first, a condition of excitation (even to inflammation and suppuration). This is to be explained, generally, by the stimulating action of Mercurius, and the reaction of the organism. Then follows a torpid collapse of the organic forces, weakness even to exhaustion. This results from the commencing decomposition induced by Mercurius.
4. Mercurius penetrates the whole organism. No portion escapes its action. Before all other parts, however, in susceptibility, stand: 1. All the membrance and the glands of the lymphatic system; 2. The parenchymatous organs; and 3. The muscular and nervous systems.
EFFECTS IN GENERAL.
I. Vegetation. The vegetative function depends upon the equality in activity of the secretive and absorptive processes. If one or both of these be abnormally affected, nutrition and assimilation (vegetation) will immediately sympathize. Since Mercurius affects these processes primarily, in a very high degree, vegetation must be deeply affected. The vegetative process is retarded, and at last entirely arrested, with the following phenomena:
1. As to Nutrition. General emaciation. Laxity; pale, earthy hue of the skin and mucous membranes; baldness. Sponginess of the tissues, especially of the gums; disposition to haemorrhage; diseases of the bones, and, as a natural consequence, great weakness, increased by every slight effort; great sensibility to all injurious influences; violet thirst, double vision.
2. Assimilation (i.e., with reference to vitality and constitution of the blood) is most deeply affected. On the one hand, the tone of the vessels is depressed; and on the other, the blood itself loses it plastic constituents, becoming altered in composition. Hence, in general, the pulse is increased in frequency, but is feeble (it may be also slow and soft). In the beginning, however, congestion and even inflammation occurs in individual organs; but later, only hyperaemia and stases in these and in the periphery. Exudations often occur, partly because of the local inflammation in the hyperaemic parts, and partly because of the increased fluidity of the blood. Although, in consequence of the decomposition of the blood, the venosity threatens to preponderate, this result is nevertheless obviated by the excessive secretion, and anaemia or hydraemia is everywhere manifest; or if venosity become manifest, it is of short duration, showing itself in ecchymosis.
Secondary Symptoms. With the phenomena above-mentioned, the whole vital energy succumbs. The thermogenesis will therefore be diminished. Thus, the chilliness, sensibility to cold air, and desire for the warmest possible temperature, are explicable. This is the general condition; there may be, however, temporary, and partial excitement of the vascular system; and hence alternations of heat and cold occur, which appear so much the more frequently, as the erethistic condition is more highly developed.
II. Nervous System. The effects on the nervous system spring from two causes: (1), a general cause, the diminution and decomposition of the fluids, and the reduction of the functions to an erethistic or even a torpid condition; and (2), a special cause, the action of Mercurius upon the membranes, which extends to the neurilemma and the nervous centers.
1. The nervous power is diminished; hence, as regards sensation, a feeling of great depression, as well as actual prostration, restlessness and general indisposition; and, as regards motion, a lack of power, the motions becoming
tremulous, indirect, and scarcely obedient to the will: hence, mercurial trembling, loss of speech, dysphagia, cough, etc.
2. By virtue of the special cause, the neurilemma being attacked, true neuralgia occurs (prosopalgia mercurialis), especially when single nerve-twigs are involved. The pain is drawing and tearing, attacks generally but a single nerve; often changes its location, but sometimes retains its seat for months; is aggravated by hygrometric changes, and by changes of temperature. The left side is the most powerfully affected.
3. As a general rule, only the nerves of sensation and motion are attacked, the vegetative nerves suffering through the local conditions.
4. The sensorium is generally depressed (save during erethism); hence giddiness, irritability, mental disturbance, mania, melancholy, loss of memory, imbecility.
III. Secretions in general. The secretions of every kind are altered and increased. They become acrid, and the quantity of some of their constituents is abnormally increased.
1. Sweat. Exceedingly copious, easily provoked, oily, sour, giving a yellow tinge to the linen.
2. Of Mucous Membranes in general. Acrid, causing therefore burning in the anus and tenesmus, tenesmus of the bladder, and burning, before and after micturition. The salivary secretion is characteristically increased. The pancreatic secretion is increased; secretion of bile is increased; hence greenish-yellow stools.
3. Genital Organs. Glandular and urethral gonorrhoea; increased discharge of semen. Menses increased in quantity. Leucorrhoea, sometimes mucous, sometimes purulent.
4. Respiratory Organs. The peculiarities of the secretions induced by Mercurius are here less obvious. The normal secretion seems often even diminished. Frequent haemorrhage.
Abnormal Secretions. To this category belong:
1. The purulent decomposition of inflamed parts generally.
2. Formation of pustular eruptions.
3. Ulcers in general, as combining these two characteristics. For, as to the former, the suppuration always proceeds from an inflammatory process, and is hence preceded by signs of Inflammation, redness, heat, swelling, especially when occurring in the glands and cellular tissue; hence swelling of the gums, fauces, tonsils, epiglottis, parotid and submaxillary glands and inflammation and suppuration of the cervical, inguinal, meibomian and mammary glands. Again, as to the latter, the eruptions caused by Mercurius have the complete character of inflammation, with a tendency to suppuration or to puriform collections. (The irritative character of Mercurius, and the consequent reaction of the organism, together with the tendency of Mercurius to cause fluidity, induce the suppuration.) The pustule formation is often incomplete; hence erythema, eczema, erysipelas, impetigo, rupia (large vesicles); or, in mucous membranes, aphthae, herpes praeputialis. The eruptions have this peculiarity, that on the spots originally occupied by them, sequelae form e.g., scales.
The mercurial ulcer originates inflammation, removing the epidermis, and producing a discharge of pus and sanies. The ulcer rapidly increases in breadth and depth, soon becomes indolent and spongy, and finally bleeds. The circumference is red, the margins puffed. It most frequently occurs in mucous membranes, and in the mouth and on the genital organs.
5. Serous and Fibrous Tissues. These tissues become irritated. A secretion takes place in the capsules of joints and sheaths of muscles, fulfilling the conditions of rheumatism. In the serous sacs, collections of water form (mercurial rheumatism), and also of pus. Inflammation of the periosteum occurs, with deposition of new products, e.g., gummata. The bones become dry and brittle, through loss of fluidity.
IV. Mercurius excites the lymphatic glandular system in general, even to inflammation and ulceration of the glands (axillary, cervical inguinal, etc.), and at the same time primarily stimulates in a very high degree, the absorption in the lymphatic vessels. N. B. It affects especially the salivary glands, increasing the secretion, inducing swelling, inflammation and suppuration.
Dr. Dunham graduated from Columbia University with Honours in 1847. In 1850 he received M.D. degree at the College of Physicians and Surgeons of New York. While in Dublin, he received a dissecting wound that nearly killed him, but with the aid of homoeopathy he cured himself with Lachesis. He visited various homoeopathic hospitals in Europe and then went to Munster where he stayed with Dr. Boenninghausen and studied the methods of that great master. His works include 'Lectures on Materia Medica' and 'Homoeopathy - Science of Therapeutics'.