Page 421 - My FlipBook

MERCURY. 419

recently officinal, has for some time been employed in hemorrhage
of the lungs, haematemesis, and in phthisis. Externally, it is ap-
plied to tumors, inflamed and painful parts, etc., etc., in the form
of a fluid extract, decoction and tincture. Two minims of the
tincture of hamamelis every half hour, will often control hemor-
rhages from nose, uterus and from hemorrhoids.
Dose.—Of the fluid extract of hamamelis, 5ss to oij ; of the
decoction 5ss to .5j.
Dental Uses.—Hamamelis is employed in dental practice as a
sedative or anodyne application, in incipient periodontitis, in the
form of the fluid extract, applied warm on lint or cotton as a lo-
tion ; also as an anodyne, to irritated and painful exposed pulps
of teeth ; also for passive hemorrhage from the mucous mem-
brane of the mouth ; also for the soreness arising from the re-
moval and effects of salivary calculus. The tincture may be ap-
plied as a sedative lotion, in the proportion of one part to ten of
water.

HYDRARGYRUM—MERCURY.
QUICKSILVER.
Symbol.— Hg. Sp. gr. 13.5.
Sources.—Mercury is a metal of a nearly silver-white color, and
a very high degree of lustre. It is liquid at all ordinary temper-
atures, and only solidifies when cooled to 39° or 40° F. It boils
at about 660° F., it is malleable at 40° F., and is slightly volatile
at 60° F. ; when boiling it yields a transparent, colorless vapor,
of density of lOO. It also volatilizes somewhat even at ordinary
temperatures, and especially above 68° F. The ordinary ore
from which metallic mercury is obtained is the mercuric sulphide^
although it is occasionally met with in globules disseminated
through this native sulphide. There is also a form known as
horn silver^ or native calomel, and a native amalgam of silver and
mercury. California furnishes metallic mercury of a peculiar
purity, in large quantities. The metal is obtained from the sul-
phide by the process of " roasting." When pure, metallic mer-
cury does not readily tarnish in the air, and has neither taste nor