Mercurius Præcipitatus Ruber

Red Precipitate. Red Oxide of Mercury. HgO. Trituration.

Clinical

Anus, burning in / Chancroid / Gonorrhœa / Mucous patches / Pemphigus neonatorum

Characteristics

This intensely irritating mercurial was investigated by Hahnemann. All the usual mercurial symptoms were intensified. Hansen has used it in practice, and gives these as indications [which are not all found in the provings]: Gonorrhœa when the urethra is felt as a hard string. Phagedænic ulcer and bubo. Indurated ulcer, deep, with red, hard edges, and especially when spreading. Syphilitic iritis when the pains have ceased. Pemphigus neonatorum and intertrigo syphilitica. Mucous patches on scrotum and by anus, with or without fissures. Eczema, acute or chronic, much sero-purulent or purulent exudation, also externally (in ointment 1 to 40 of prepared lard). Tinea tonsurans, circinata and sycosis. Folliculitis barbæ (internally and externally). These are Hansen's own observations. In the symptoms of the proving a sensation "as of a hot iron in anus moving up and down" looks like a possible keynote.

1. Mind

Apprehension.

3. Eyes

Fierce, intent look. Chemosis. Blepharitis (cured in a prover).

6. Face

Remarkable redness of face and eyes. Dropsical condition of face. Cheeks and lips enormously swollen.

8. Mouth

Inflamed gums. Tongue enormously swollen and protruding. Two holes in tongue. Inside of mouth coated with a substance like decayed cheese. Whole anterior portion of mucous membrane of cheeks, gums, and under surface of tongue sloughed away, and four teeth were lost in the process of syringing. As the parts healed the jaws became completely closed by contracting cicatrices. Tongue was reduced and firmly adherent to floor of mouth and cheeks. Strong mercurial odour. Burning in mouth and throat; pains prevent sleep. Mouth very sore; flakes of epithelium separate. Itching over whole mouth without salivation. Profuse salivation. Blood and saliva of the most fetid odour flowed constantly from mouth.

9. Throat

Throat inflamed. Burning like hot ashes on swallowing the powder.

11. Stomach

Unquenchable thirst. Nausea; vomiting. Vomit: with cutting in abdomen; blackish blood; bloody mucus; followed by diarrhœa. Pains in stomach and whole abdomen. Agonising pain in stomach with burning heat and nausea.

12. Abdomen

Occasional pain in l. hypochondrium. Abdomen distended and painful to contact. Agonising colic.

13. Stool and Anus

Constant urging; gradually became <, and spread over whole intestinal canal, with constant sensation in anus as of a glowing hot iron moving up and down. Most excessive tenesmus, with scanty discharge of blood, with cutting, burning pains. Diarrhœa: excessively violent; with violent cramps. Stools: mainly blood; involuntary, greenish, and offensive.

17. Respiratory Organs

Larynx inflamed and swollen, even outside. (Paroxysms of suffocation at night on lying down and while falling asleep; obliged to jump up suddenly, when it disappeared.). Oppression of chest.

19. Heart

(Violent palpitation that seemed as if it would burst the chest. Small, hard pulse.)

24. Generalities

General trembling. Convulsions. Cramps of internal organs; and in legs. Spasmodic contraction of extremities.

27. Fever

Cold, perspiring skin. Cold sweat.