Introduction - Uppsala Monitoring Centre

Mixtures: Donovan’s solution (Liquor Arsenii et Hydrargyri Iodidi); Plummer’s Pill
(HgCl + sulphurated antimony + Guiacum resin); Liniment of Mercury = Hg +
solution of ammonia + liniment of Camphor, sodium chloride, saltpeter (KNO 3 ), lead
plaster; Unguentum Saracenicum (Euphorbium + Larkspur + yellow oxide of lead +
Hg + pig’s grease); Zittmann Decoction No 1 (sarsaparilla, calomel, cinnabar, anise,
fennel, senna and liquorice). Medicines weren’t the only source of mercury:
mercurial cakes, mercurial chocolate, mercurials cigarettes, mercurial foot baths and
mercurial flannels (Tilles & Wallach, 1996). Added to these were the treatments for
the mercurial symptoms.
Users: surgeons, physicians, charlatans, barbers, butchers, farriers, sow-gelders,
etc. Physicians tended to concentrate on the internal structure whilst surgeons
performed operations and dealt with the outside of the body, e.g. skin.
Formulations: ointment, pills, drops, lotions (Lotio Hydrargyri flava, Lotio
Hydrargyri Nigra), cataplasms (poultice), clysters,
Excipients: lard, olive oil, solution of lime, glycerine, liquid paraffin, gum acacia,
tragacanth, syrup of glucose, yellow bees wax, and camphor.
Table 6. Adverse reactions to Mercury
Poison 77, 78,
1579,
1590