MERCURIC CYANIDE – HGCY2.
Introduction
Mercurius cyan. is so seldom used commercially in this part of the country, that in a celebrated murder trial, a few years ago, where the claim wa made that it was used with fatal effect, the prosecuting could find a record of but bottles of it sold in as many years, in this vicinity, and two of them were still unopened.
Mercurius cyan. has never been regularly proved, and what we know about it are the symptoms recorded from the four cases of poisoning that are found in Allen’s Encyclop., and a few clinical reports from its use as a medicine.
Hale, in speaking of Mercurius cyan. says: ” This drug is almost as poisonous as the Cyanide of Potassium. It may not kill as suddenly, but the sufferings of the victim are a hundred times more intense. In cases of poisoning by this agent, we have all the symptoms of Hydrocyanic acid, to which are added the terrible effects of Corrosive mercury. Worse than this, even, we have a picture of the most malignant forms of diphtheria.”.
Symptoms
Its especial field, as we know it now, is for the treatment of diphtheria, characterized by extensive necrosis of the soft parts of the palate and fauces. The membrane is usually a whitish-gray.
The case is a bad one (62) often form the start, the suddenness and severity of the attack frequently first directing your attention to the remedy. Extreme prostration or threatening collapse (34) is another prominent feature, with small, rapid or intermittent pulse (110). There is an extremely fetid odor (62) and the disease is apt to invade the nostrils (62).
It follows well after Apis.
I use Mercurius cyan. 6th.
