Mercury
Mercury is an element that is found in air, water and soil. It has several forms. Metallic mercury is a shiny, silver-white, odorless liquid. If heated, it is a colorless, odorless gas. It also combines with other elements to form powders or crystals. Mercury is in many products. Metallic mercury is used in glass thermometers, silver dental fillings, and button batteries. Mercury salts may be used in skin creams and ointments. It's also used in many industries.
Mercury in the air settles into water. It can pass through the food chain and build up in fish, shellfish, and animals that eat fish. The nervous system is sensitive to all forms of mercury. Exposure to high levels can damage the brain and kidneys. Pregnant women can pass the mercury in their bodies to their babies.
It is important to protect your family from mercury exposure:
- Carefully handle and dispose of products that contain mercury
- Limit your consumption of fish with higher levels of mercury
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
WARNING: All medicines, drugs, plants, chemicals or medicial precedures below are for historical reference only. Many of these treatments are now known to be harmful and possibly fatal. Do not consume any plant, chemical, drug or otherwise without first consulting a licensed physician that practices medine in the appropriate field.
Felter's Materia Medica on Mercury
FRANCISCEA
The root and stem of Brunfelsia... / ...) uniflora, Pohl (Nat. Ord. Solanaceae). A tropical American shrub. Common Names: Manaca, Vegetable Mercury. Principal Constituents.A weak alkaloid manacine, and probably gelsemic acid. Preparation....1
The root and stem of Brunfelsia... / ...) uniflora, Pohl (Nat. Ord. Solanaceae). A tropical American shrub. Common Names: Manaca, Vegetable Mercury. Principal Constituents.A weak alkaloid manacine, and probably gelsemic acid. Preparation....1
IRISIRIS
The rhizome and roots of Iris versicolor, Linné (Nat. Ord. Iridaceae). Common in wet places in the United States. Dose, 5 to 20 grains. Common... / ...the gums and teeth. Salivation from vegetable sialagogues may be differentiated from that caused by mercury by the absence of mercurial fetor and lack of sponginess of the gums or loosening of the tee...1
The rhizome and roots of Iris versicolor, Linné (Nat. Ord. Iridaceae). Common in wet places in the United States. Dose, 5 to 20 grains. Common... / ...the gums and teeth. Salivation from vegetable sialagogues may be differentiated from that caused by mercury by the absence of mercurial fetor and lack of sponginess of the gums or loosening of the tee...1
PODOPHYLLUM
The dried rhizome and roots of Podophyllum peltatum, Linné (Nat. Ord. Berberidaceae). Rich woods and thickets of North America. Dose, 5 to 30... / ... cathartic; and doses short of catharsis induce ptyalism. Hence the names once appliedvegetable mercury and vegetable calomel. Both undoubtedly increase the secretion of bile, notwithstandin...1
The dried rhizome and roots of Podophyllum peltatum, Linné (Nat. Ord. Berberidaceae). Rich woods and thickets of North America. Dose, 5 to 30... / ... cathartic; and doses short of catharsis induce ptyalism. Hence the names once appliedvegetable mercury and vegetable calomel. Both undoubtedly increase the secretion of bile, notwithstandin...1
WARNING: All medicines, drugs, plants, chemicals or medicial precedures below are for historical reference only. Many of these treatments are now known to be harmful and possibly fatal. Do not consume any plant, chemical, drug or otherwise without first consulting a licensed physician that practices medine in the appropriate field.
Physician's Materia Medica on Mercury
MERCURY
Compounds of MERCURY have a powerful germicidal action, the mercuric salts, being the... / Compounds of MERCURY have a powerful germicidal action, the mercuric salts, being the more soluble, having especi......rmicidal action, the mercuric salts, being the more soluble, having especial eficiency. a. Metallic Mercury, in the form of fllass of M€rcuTJ' (Blue Mass), containing 33 per cent. of the metal. A mi... / ...(% to 3 grs.); as a Cathay tic, 0.3 to 1.0 Grm. (5 to 15 grs2
Compounds of MERCURY have a powerful germicidal action, the mercuric salts, being the... / Compounds of MERCURY have a powerful germicidal action, the mercuric salts, being the more soluble, having especi......rmicidal action, the mercuric salts, being the more soluble, having especial eficiency. a. Metallic Mercury, in the form of fllass of M€rcuTJ' (Blue Mass), containing 33 per cent. of the metal. A mi... / ...(% to 3 grs.); as a Cathay tic, 0.3 to 1.0 Grm. (5 to 15 grs2
WARNING: All medicines, drugs, plants, chemicals or medicial precedures below are for historical reference only. Many of these treatments are now known to be harmful and possibly fatal. Do not consume any plant, chemical, drug or otherwise without first consulting a licensed physician that practices medine in the appropriate field.
Physician's Therapeutics Memoranda on Mercury
ANEMIA
Nourishing and easily digested food with remedies for promoting digestion and overcoming a... / ...hematinics. Of these iron (as reduced iron or ferrous carbonate) is most often prescribed, but in many cachectic conditions is inferior to arsenic or mercury (in minute doses). Among the most eflicient preparations are Solution Gold and Arsenic Bro mide, N., B. & Co., Haemo-Mangan with Arsenic, and ...2
Nourishing and easily digested food with remedies for promoting digestion and overcoming a... / ...hematinics. Of these iron (as reduced iron or ferrous carbonate) is most often prescribed, but in many cachectic conditions is inferior to arsenic or mercury (in minute doses). Among the most eflicient preparations are Solution Gold and Arsenic Bro mide, N., B. & Co., Haemo-Mangan with Arsenic, and ...2
BLEPHARITIS
Remove crusts by careful use of a solution of sodium borate (8 grs. to fl. oz.), then apply Iodosyl ointment (6 per cent.) or a dilute oint ment of yellow oxide of mercury (1 gr. to drm.) or an ointment con taining in each drachm 2 grs. of precipitated sulphur and 1.5 grs. of resorcin. For accompanying conjunctivitis, eye drops containing boric acid or sodium borate. Correct refractive errors if present.2
Remove crusts by careful use of a solution of sodium borate (8 grs. to fl. oz.), then apply Iodosyl ointment (6 per cent.) or a dilute oint ment of yellow oxide of mercury (1 gr. to drm.) or an ointment con taining in each drachm 2 grs. of precipitated sulphur and 1.5 grs. of resorcin. For accompanying conjunctivitis, eye drops containing boric acid or sodium borate. Correct refractive errors if present.2
FRECKLES
A lotion of mecuric chloride, 3 grs., milk of almonds, 4 fl. ozs., ap plied night and morning is aneflicient remedy; boric acid in saturat ed aqueous solution; a solution of zinc sulphocarbolate, 5 grs. to the fl. oz.; a lotion of rose water and glycerin with zinc oxide and a little ammoniated mercury; hydrogen peroxide.2
A lotion of mecuric chloride, 3 grs., milk of almonds, 4 fl. ozs., ap plied night and morning is aneflicient remedy; boric acid in saturat ed aqueous solution; a solution of zinc sulphocarbolate, 5 grs. to the fl. oz.; a lotion of rose water and glycerin with zinc oxide and a little ammoniated mercury; hydrogen peroxide.2
PSORIASIS
Internally give arsenic persistently, with iodides and other altera tives where these seem to be indicated. Extract of thyroid zland has been used with benefit. Locally, ointments of pyrogallic or salicylic acid, Iodosyl, ichthyol, chrysarobin, resorcin. ammoniated mercury, calomel.2
Internally give arsenic persistently, with iodides and other altera tives where these seem to be indicated. Extract of thyroid zland has been used with benefit. Locally, ointments of pyrogallic or salicylic acid, Iodosyl, ichthyol, chrysarobin, resorcin. ammoniated mercury, calomel.2
SCABIES
Apply parasiticideointments; sulphur, naphthol, mercuric chlo ridaammoniated mercury, potassium a1senite (Fowler's solution) are among the most eflicient, and sulphur in some form is that commonly selected.2
Apply parasiticideointments; sulphur, naphthol, mercuric chlo ridaammoniated mercury, potassium a1senite (Fowler's solution) are among the most eflicient, and sulphur in some form is that commonly selected.2
SYPHILIS
The usual treatment is by mercurials (mercurous iodide, blue mass. mercury and chalk or corrosive sublimate. the first being generally given preference) continued up to the point of tolerance as much as eighteen months. followed by a course of potassium iodide, sometimes combined still with mercury. Vegetable alteratives are generally prescribed also, and the mercury is sometimes reinforced by combination with gold, as in the Solution Gold and Arsenic Bro mide with Mercury, N., B. & Co.2
The usual treatment is by mercurials (mercurous iodide, blue mass. mercury and chalk or corrosive sublimate. the first being generally given preference) continued up to the point of tolerance as much as eighteen months. followed by a course of potassium iodide, sometimes combined still with mercury. Vegetable alteratives are generally prescribed also, and the mercury is sometimes reinforced by combination with gold, as in the Solution Gold and Arsenic Bro mide with Mercury, N., B. & Co.2
References
1) Felter, Harvey Wickes, 1922, The Eclectic Materia Medica, Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Cincinnati, Ohio.
2) Nelson, Baker & Co., 1904, Physician's Handy Book of Materia Medica and Therapeustics, Detroit, Michigan.
2) Nelson, Baker & Co., 1904, Physician's Handy Book of Materia Medica and Therapeustics, Detroit, Michigan.