Mercurius Præcipitatus Albus

White Precipitate. Mercurammonium chloride. NH 2 HgCl. Trituration.

Clinical

Dwarfism / Eczema faciei

Characteristics

The symptoms of Merc. præcip. alb. are taken entirely from poisonings. The most peculiar symptoms are: Green tongue; bilious stools scalding anus; and the old-mannish appearance of a child poisoned with it. Mossa (H. R., ix. 28) relates (1) a case of chronic eczema of the face in an elderly man, a moistening eruption < in winter and from exposure to cold; vesicles on a reddened, swollen skin dry into scales which exfoliate; eyelids, especially lower, œdematous, corners reddened; lachrymation; ear involved; itching and burning on head preventing sleep. Merc. præcip. alb. 3 gr. i. every third day. First the burning itching ceased. Then formation of blisters abated. Exfoliation continued a long time, but the skin finally became normal. (2) Girl, 2, eruption on face and large part of scalp, covered with thick yellow crust, matter exuding from cracks. Offensive odour; swollen cervical glands. Merc. præcip. alb. 3 gr. i once in three days cured in four weeks.

Relations

Compare: Dwarfish children, Bar. c., Syph. Eczema, Mez., Æthiops. ant.

6. Face

Face: much flushed; greatly swollen. In one night a child (poisoned with 20 gr.) had undergone a remarkable change; had become in appearance "quite an old man."

8. Mouth

Gums much swollen. Tongue: much coated; thick greenish fur.

11. Stomach

Thirst urgent. Nausea and vomiting. Vomits deeply blood-stained fluid. Much pain at stomach.

12. Abdomen

After half an hour pain began in epigastrium, gradually spreading over whole abdomen. Great pain in abdomen; continuing after taking any, even liquid, food, for more than a week. Constant griping. Whole abdomen painful to pressure.

13. Stool and Anus

One copious stool with mucous shreds in some quantities, much dark blood. Numerous scanty stools with much blood. Almost pure bile causing great scalding of anus.

24. Generalities

Slight subsultus. Collapse. During the night the child shrieked as from great pain, in the morning it had changed to the appearance of an old man.

26. Sleep

Drowsy, semi-comatose.

27. Fever

Cold, clammy skin, much congestion of cutaneous vessels. General perspiration.