Epitome of the Pharmacopeia of the United States and the National Formulary Part 42

As antiseptic externally in solution from 1:20,000 to 1:2,000. As disinfectant of clothing, in 1:1,000 solution.

_Mulla Hydrargyri Chloridi Corrosivi (Mull. Hydrarg. Chlor. Corros.), Corrosive Mercuric Chloride Mull, N.F._ (Unguentum Hydrargyri Chloridi Corrosivi Extensum, N.F. III).--Corrosive mercuric chloride (0.2%), alcohol, benzoinated suet and benzoinated lard.

_Toxitabellae Hydrargyri Chloridi Corrosivi (Toxitabel. Hydrarg. Chlor.

Corr.), Poison Tablets of Corrosive Mercuric Chloride, U.S.P._ (Corrosive Sublimate Tablets, b.i.+.c.hloride Tablets).--Tablets of an angular shape colored blue, each having the word "Poison" and the skull and cross bones design distinctly stamped on it. Each 1 Gm. tablet contains about 0.5 Gm. or 8 grains corrosive mercuric chloride and 0.5 Gm. or 8 grains sodium chloride.

=*Hydrargyri Chloridum Mite (Hydrarg. Chlor. Mit.), Mild Mercurous Chloride, U.S.P.= (Mercurous Chloride, Calomel, Protochloride of Mercury, Subchloride of Mercury).--HgCl.

White or nearly white, odorless, tasteless powder. Insoluble in water, alcohol or ether. Incompatible with alkalies, with oxidizing acids like nitric acid, and with soluble bromides and iodides.

ACTION AND USES: A slow cathartic, fairly powerful and relatively non-irritant. Should usually be followed by a saline laxative. Should not be taken continuously as it may salivate. Also employed as a diuretic in cardiac dropsies. Intramuscular injections are very efficiently antisyphilitic, but painful.

DOSAGE: Laxative, 0.15 Gm. or 2-1/2 grains (U.S.P.); alterative, 0.015 Gm. or 1/4 grain (U.S.P.). From 0.005 to 0.02 Gm., or from 1/12 to 1/3 grain, may be given every half hour or hour until from 0.1 to 0.2 Gm., or from 1-1/2 to 3 grains have been given. In the treatment of syphilis 0.1 Gm. or 1-1/2 grain in oily suspension is injected about once a week.

_Lotio Nigra (Lot. Nigr.), Black Lotion, N.F._ (Black Wash, Aqua Phagedaenica Nigra).--A suspension of mercurous oxide, Hg{2}O, produced by the action of lime water on mild mercurous chloride.

USES: Mercurial antiseptic.

_Pulvis Hydrargyri Chloridi Mitis et Jalapae (Pulv. Hydrarg. Chlor. Mit.

et Jalap.), Powder of Mild Mercurous Chloride and Jalap, N.F._ (Calomel and Jalap).--Mild mercurous chloride (34%) and jalap (66%).

USES: Drastic purgative.

DOSAGE: 0.65 Gm. or 10 grains (N.F.)

=*Hydrargyri Iodidum Flavum (Hydrarg. Iod. Flav.), Yellow Mercurous Iodide, U.S.P.= (Mercurous Iodide, Protoiodide of Mercury, Yellow Iodide of Mercury).--HgI.

Bright yellow, odorless, tasteless powder. Almost insoluble in water and wholly insoluble in alcohol or ether. Decomposed by oxidizing agents, alkalies and the haloid salts of the alkali metals (chlorides, bromides or iodides).

ACTION AND USES: Used princ.i.p.ally as an antisyphilitic; generally given in the form of pills. Like all ingestion methods of treating syphilis, much less reliable than the intramuscular administration of mercurials and is falling into disuse on account of relative inefficiency. Has proved of value in lichen ruber pla.n.u.s.

DOSAGE: 0.01 Gm. or 1/6 grain (U.S.P.)

=*Hydrargyri Iodidum Rubrum (Hydrarg. Iod. Rub.), Red Mercuric Iodide, U.S.P.= (Biniodide of Mercury, Mercuric Iodide, Red Iodide of Mercury).--HgI{2}.

Scarlet-red, odorless, nearly tasteless powder. Nearly insoluble in water and slightly soluble in alcohol (1:115); soluble in solutions of soluble iodides, sodium thiosulphate and hot solutions of alkali chlorides.

ACTION AND USES: Mercuric Iodide, dissolved with pota.s.sium or sodium iodide, is used as an antiseptic, germicide and antisyphilitic. It is practically as effective as mercuric chloride and less irritant or corrosive.

DOSAGE: 0.003 Gm. or 1/20 grain (U.S.P.).

_Liquor Hydrargyri et Pota.s.sii Iodidi (Liq. Hydrarg. et Pot. Iod.), Solution of Mercury and Pota.s.sium Iodide, N.F._ (Solution of Pota.s.sium Iodohydrargyrate, Channing's Solution).--Red mercuric iodide (1%), pota.s.sium iodide (0.8%), and water.

DOSAGE: 0.2 Cc. or 3 minims (N.F.)

=Hydrargyri Nitras, Mercuric Nitrate.=--Hg(NO{3}){2}.

_Liquor Hydrargyri Nitratis (Liq. Hydrarg. Nit.), Solution of Mercuric Nitrate, N.F._--Hg(NO{3}){2} (60%).

USES: Caustic.

_Unguentum Hydrargyri Nitratis (Ung. Hydrarg. Nit.), Ointment of Mercuric Nitrate, U.S.P._ (Citrine Ointment).--Mercuric nitrate (equivalent to mercury 7%) in lard.

=*Hydrargyri Oxidum Flavum (Hydrarg. Oxid. Flav.), Yellow Mercuric Oxide, U.S.P.=--HgO.

Light orange-yellow, heavy, odorless powder, with a somewhat metallic taste. Almost insoluble in water, insoluble in alcohol, readily dissolved by dilute hydrochloric acid and nitric acid.

ACTION AND USES: The ointment is used, especially on the eye, as an antiseptic and stimulant; also to some extent in impetiginous affections.

DOSAGE: For the eye, 2 per cent.; for the skin, from 5 to 10 per cent.

_Lotio Flava (Lot. Flav.), Yellow Lotion, N.F._ (Yellow Wash, Aqua Phagedaenica Flava).--A suspension of mercuric oxide produced by the action of lime water on mercuric chloride.

USES: Mercurial antiseptic.

_*Unguentum Hydrargyri Oxidi Flavi (Ung. Hydrarg. Oxid. Flav.), Ointment of Yellow Mercuric Oxide, U.S.P._--Yellow mercuric oxide (10%) in water, hydrous wool fat and petrolatum.

=Hydrargyri Oxidum Rubrum (Hydrarg. Oxid. Rub.), Red Mercuric Oxide, U.S.P.= (Red Precipitate).--HgO.

Heavy, orange-red scales or powder, odorless and with a somewhat metallic taste. Almost insoluble in water; insoluble in alcohol, readily dissolved by nitric acid.

ACTION AND USES: Occasionally used externally in the form of an ointment and as a parasiticide. Without advantage over yellow oxide.

_Unguentum Hydrargyri Oxidi Rubri (Ung. Hydrarg. Oxid. Rub.), Ointment of Red Mercuric Oxide, N.F._--Red mercuric oxide (10%) in water, hydrous wool fat and petrolatum.

=*Hydrargyri Salicylas (Hydrarg. Salicyl.), Mercuric Salicylate, U.S.P.= (Mercuric Subsalicylate).--Contains Hg (about 57%).

White or nearly white, odorless, tasteless powder. Nearly insoluble in water or alcohol. Dissolved by solutions of the fixed alkalies or their carbonates.

ACTION AND USES: Used as antisyphilitic especially by intramuscular injection of oily suspensions; also as local antiseptic.

DOSAGE: 0.004 Gm. or 1/15 grain (U.S.P.). By intramuscular injection, 0.6 Cc. or 10 minims of a 10 per cent.

suspension in liquid petrolatum once in four days

=*Hydrargyrum (Hydrarg.), Mercury, U.S.P.= (Quicksilver).--Hg.

s.h.i.+ning, silver-white, odorless, tasteless metal, liquid at ordinary temperatures. Insoluble in the ordinary solvents.

ACTION AND USES: Its preparations are used to secure the systemic effects of mercury and locally against parasites.

_*Hydrargyrum c.u.m Creta (Hydrarg. c.u.m Cret.), Mercury with Chalk, U.S.P._ (Gray Powder).--Mercury (38%), with prepared chalk (57%), honey and water.