Mercurius Dulcis

Subchloride of Mercury. Calomel. Mercurous chloride. HgCl. Trituration.

Clinical

Catarrh / Condylomata / Conjunctivitis / Deafness / Diarrhœa / Eustachian tube, affections of / Gastro-malachia / Meningitis / Peritonitis, plastic / Prostatitis / Throat, sore

Characteristics

Merc. dulc. is responsible for a large amount of the mercurialisation of the past and for some of the present. As a comparatively mild and slow-acting form of mercurial, it has none of the corrosive effects of the perchloride, 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 recognised remedy. Some homœopaths have adopted a modification of this by prescribing Merc. dulc. 1x in two- or three-grain doses as a direct purgative. But as Merc. dulc. has caused both constipation and diarrhœa, it is probable that the action is roughly homœopathic. 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 Merc. dulc. The keynote of Merc. 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 Merc. 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: Hep. Compare: In stringy stools, Sul. ac. Catarrhal inflammation of middle ear, Kali m. Eustachian tube closed; deafness of old age, Kali m.

1. Mind

Agitated. Apprehensive.

2. Head

Heaviness across forehead. Falling off of hair.

3. Eyes

Gummy secretion on edges of lids; later, smarting and indistinct vision. Eyes: red; dry; photophobia.

< after exercise, and when heated from exercise. Scrofulous ophthalmia. Ciliary blepharitis.

4. Ears

Deafness, occasioned by a swelling, which compresses Eustachian tube. (Deafness of old age.). Scrofulous otitis. Itching in external meatus. Sudden fluttering in l. ear for a few moments.

5. Nose

Violent epistaxis. Dry, crusted nostrils. Sore r. nostril.

6. Face

Face flushed. Pallid as a corpse. Swelling of cheeks. Exfoliation of lower jaw and death.

7. Teeth

Violent burning in teeth; teeth become bare, shake, and fall out; gums swollen and bleeding when touched.

8. Mouth

Difficulty to open mouth. Ulcers in mouth, bleeding throughout night. Aphthæ on tongue. Salivation sometimes with hæmorrhage. Flow of horribly fetid, dark saliva, which attacks lips and cheeks; tongue and whole mouth have black appearance.

9. Throat

Excessive ulceration of throat. Difficulty of swallowing.

11. Stomach

No appetite. Urgent thirst. Vomiting. Weight and pain at epigastrium.

12. Abdomen

Violent pain in abdomen; griping; tenderness. Bloated, hot, painful abdomen (gastro-malachia).

13. Stool and Anus

Diarrhœa; 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.

14. Urinary Organs

Urine increased (2nd d.); diminished (3rd, 4th, and 5th d.).

15. Male Sexual Organs

Acute inflammation of prostate, after suppressed gonorrhœa; burning, pressing pains; intense dysuria; urine scanty. Stinging and itching just back of corona glandis.

16. Female Sexual Organs

Broad, moist, burning condylomata around external genitals, perinæum and anus, of exceedingly offensive smell.

18. Chest

Great oppression in chest and in region of heart.

21. Limbs

Trembling of hands and feet.

22. Upper Limbs

Rheumatic stiffness and catching pain in muscles of legs and knee-joints. Cramps in calves at night.

25. Skin

Desquamation of skin, esp. of hands and feet. Phagedænic ulcers, with white bases, and painful and inflamed margins, in mouth, palate, face, genital and other parts. Copper-coloured eruption.

27. Fever

Feverish heat, profuse nocturnal sweat, tearing pains in limbs, prostration of strength, and trembling. Fever, sometimes hot, putrid.