HYDRARGYRI IODIDUM RUBRUM—RED IODIDE OF MERCURY—BINIODIDE OF MERCURY
Origin.—Red iodide of mercury is obtained by dissolving in water separately bichloride of mercury and potassium iodide, and pour both solutions slowly and stirring actively.
Properties.—A scarlet-red, amorphous powder; odorless and tasteless; permanent in air, insoluble in water; soluble in one hundred and twenty-five parts of alcohol.
Actions.—Red iodide of mercury is a stimulant irritant, resolvent pustulant antiseptic and parasiticide.
Uses.—Mixed with one to eight parts of lard it is a blister used to reduce bony enlargements or bone-tumors as in splints, bone spavin, ringbone, sidebone and actinomycosis; it is also used with good results in reducing soft swellings, to arrest chronic inflammation and promote absorption of inflammatory deposits, as seen in sprained tendons, curbs, enlarged joints, bursae, etc. It is frequently used as a counter-irritant in sore throat, chronic cough and roaring. Mixed with cantharides the strength can be reduced as an irritant and less apt to permanently destroy the hair bulbs. It is used internally to arrest the growths of actinomycoses and scirrhous cord, but in those cases the benefits are derived from the potassium iodide which it contains, and I would recommend administering internally without the mercury.