Quicksilver. Quick in the old Saxon tongue signifies living, an epithet derived from its mobility.
Mercury. Mythologists inform us that he was the winged messenger of the Gods, and the Patron of Thieves,—What name therefore could be more appropriate for the metal in question than that of this Deity? for it is not only distinguished from all other metals by its mobility, but its universal agency has rendered it the resource of those worst of Thieves—Quacks and Nostrummongers.
[522]. There is indeed another purpose to which pure quicksilver has been applied that deserves notice. Its administration has been proposed in cases where silver coin has been swallowed, with a view of forming with it an amalgam that would speedily pass through the alimentary canal.
[523]. Foderé (Med. Leg. T. iii. p. 455) states that he has seen water, in which mercury has been boiled, become purgative and vermifuge; and yet the metal, in such cases, has not lost any of its weight.
[524]. If the quantity of Lime water be small, the precipitate will assume a red colour, and will be found to be a Submuriate of the peroxide.
[525]. As this salt has been supposed to arrest the progress of syphilis more rapidly, and at the same time, to excite the salivary glands less than any other preparation of mercury, it generally forms the basis of those dangerous nostrums, which are advertised for the cure of Syphilis without Mercury. The contrivers hope also to elude detection by the density and colour of the preparation.
Gowland’s Lotion, Is a solution of sublimate in an emulsion formed of bitter almonds, in the proportion of about gr. jss to f℥j. A solution of this mercurial salt in Spirit of Rosemary, is also sold as an empirical cosmetic.
Norton’s Drops. A disguised solution of corrosive sublimate.
Ward’s White Drops. This once esteemed Anti-Scorbutic was prepared by dissolving mercury in nitric acid, and adding a solution of carbonate of ammonia; or frequently it consisted of a solution of sublimate with carbonate of ammonia.
Spilsbury’s Antiscorbutic Drops. Of Corrosive Sublimate ℥ij, Prepared Sulphuret of Antimony ʒj, Gentian root and Orange peel, equal parts ʒij, Shavings of Red Saunders, ʒj, made with a pint of proof spirit into a tincture, which is to be digested and strained.