Synonyms. Protoiodide of Mercury. Mercurius Iodide. Common name. Yellow Iodide of Mercury. Preparation. Triturations, which should be protected from the light.
GENERAL ANALYSIS.
The Iodide of Mercury acts especially upon the glands and mucous membranes of the throat, after the manner of other Mercuries, though partaking somewhat of the action of Iodine. In the Biniodide this latter action preponderates, while the action of the Protoiodide more closely resembles that os Mercury.
CHARACTERISTIC SYMPTOMS
Head Headache on the top of the head, or on the right side. Dull headache on awaking in the morning. Dull frontal headache on awaking in the morning. Dull frontal headache, with pain in the root of the nose (Kali bichromicum, Natr. ars.). Itching of the scalp (Graphites, Nitr.ac., Sulphur).
Nose Shooting pain at root of nose.
Face Dull aching and soreness in the bones of the face.
Mouth Tongue coated bright-yellow; tip and edges red. Base of tongue covered with a thick, dirty-yellow coating (Chinasulph.), especially on rising in the morning.
Throat Much tenacious mucus in throat; hawking causes gagging. Burning in the throat (Arsenicum, Caps., Cantharis, Mercurius cor.). Fauces and pharynx red and inflamed; tonsils swollen; especially the right; pain on swallowing; sensation of a lump as if swollen (Belladonna). Posterior wall of pharynx dotted with patches of mucus and small spots, which look ulcerated.
Stool Tough, almost like putty, with much straining. Stools thin,. light-yellowish brown, frothy; soft, copious, dark.
Generalities Faintness, wants to lie down (Nux moschata). Has troublesome itching over the whole body; worse at night, especially while in bed. Glands swollen and indurated (Mercurius). Milk crust in children of a syphilitic taint.
Aggravation Most symptoms appear at night in bed. From passive motion; during rest on right side.
Amelioration During the day; in the open air; from active motion.
Compare Belladonna, Iodium, Kali bichromicum, Lachesis, Mercurius, Nitr. ac., Sulphur
THERAPEUTICS
Mostly useful in sore throat, especially in the so-called diphtheritic sore throat or follicular tonsilitis, usually worse on the right side, or beginning on the right side, glands not greatly swollen. May be useful in mild cases of diphtheria with little glandular swelling (Glands much swollen the biniodide of Mercurius is better), but is never useful in malignant forms of the disease. Sometimes useful in chronic nasal catarrh, the posterior nares being most affected. Catarrh with shooting pains at root of nose and along frontal sinuses. Ulcers on cornea, sometimes commence at margin and extend over whole cornea. Syphilitic iritis. Pustular conjunctivitis. Ciliary blepharitis, especially syphilitic. Hard chancres, given at once may prevent secondary symptoms. Painless chancres, with swelling of inguinal glands; not disposed to suppurate. Yellow leucorrhoea, especially of young girls and children.
ALLEN CORSON COWPERTHWAITE was born at Cape May, New Jersey, May 3, 1848, son of Joseph C. and Deborah (Godfrey) Cowperthwaite. He attended medical lectures at the University of Iowa in 1867-1868, and was graduated from the Hahnemann Medical College of Philadelphia in 1869. He practiced his profession first in Illinois, and then in Nebraska. In 1877 he became Dean and Professor of Materia Medica in the recently organized Homeopathic Department of the State University of Iowa, holding the position till 1892. In 1884 he accepted the chair of Materia Medica, Pharmacology, and Clinical Medicine in the Homeopathic Medical College of the University of Michigan. He removed to Chicago in 1892, and became Professor of Materia Medica and Therapeutics in the Chicago Homeopathic Medical College. From 1901 he also served as president of that College. He is the author of various works, notably "Insanity in its Medico-Legal Relations" (1876), "A Textbook of Materia Medica and Therapeutics" (1880), of "Gynecology" (1888), and of "The Practice of Medicine " (1901).